Meet Your New GIL Trustees Who Begin Terms July 1

• By: SGMP
• On: 06/17/2020 21:13:37
• In: General

The Gilmer Institute of Learning (GIL) is an important part of SGMP because the GIL trustees help set education programming, administer and fundraise for the scholarship program and oversee the Society's Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) certification program. This spring, the Society elected three new trustees. They will begin their two-year terms on July 1 with the exception of Henry Harper who began his term early to fill a vacancy. These new trustees will be installed during SGMP's State of the Society virtual event June 30, 2020. SGMP members are invited to attend.

We share the new Gilmer Institute of Learning trustees' profiles, so you can get to know them:

Education & Programming Trustee - Henry H. Harper, III, CGMP

Henry H. Harper, III, CGMP, is the director of Community Outreach and Development for the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. His primary roles with the foundation are state government event planning and fund development. Henry served as the 1^st VP and Chair of the Education Committee for the SGMP Old Dominion Chapter from 2015-2017. During this period, he was recognized as the Chapter Planner of the Year and helped his chapter win 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place (in various years) in the national “Program of the Year” and a 3^rd place “Programming of the Year.”

“My vision for the GIL, moving forward, is to promote and actively encourage diversity, inclusion and equity in the events and meetings industry.  There is no question that we've made strides in these areas, but we still have a long journey ahead of us.  I also envision the GIL being more active in providing greater opportunities and flexibility for members to earn their certification as a CGMP.  There is no single event in my tenure with the SGMP that has better prepared me as a government planner than taking the course and earning this designation.”

Fundraising Trustee - Lorie Jaegers, CGMP, CTA

Lorie Jaegers, CGMP, CTA, is senior sales manager for the Courtyard by Marriott in Columbia, Missouri, and has been in the hospitality field for 22 years. She is a member of the SGMP Missouri Capital Chapter (MOCAP) and a frequent volunteer. She was named the Supplier of the Year for her chapter in 2016 and received the MOCAP President's Award in 2017. She has served as a United Way Leader for the last four years, soliciting donations from corporations and participating in Days of Caring.

Lorie says she has a passion for SGMP's mission. “I know all chapters and National need new, fresh ideas to raise funds. I know the more funds we have, the easier it is to share and get others interested in our organization. The reason I say easier is because with more money we can offer more topnotch education and we can advertise our live and online auctions. More funds will allow us to promote our society and what we stand for, to possibly help with growth of our membership!...I have some fundraising ideas running in my head already!”

Scholarship and Certification Trustee - Robin Bammert-Toth, CGMP

Robin Bammert-Toth, CGMP, is director of national accounts for Visit Spokane, and a member of the SGMP Pacific Northwest (PNW) Chapter. While on the PNW Chapter Board, she served as the membership chair for more than four years and is currently serving a second term as 2^nd VP. 

She says her goal working with SGMP is to continue learning and growing. “My vision for the GIL is to understand what has been done previously; what has worked and not worked; and then to brainstorm with the National Board and local chapters on ideas to improve from their perspective, then move forward.”

Please extend your congratulations to our new Gilmer trustees.

These three new trustees will join Chele Clark, CGMP, GIL Scholarship & Certification trustee; Jeanne Larson, CGMP, Education & Programming trustee; and Wayne Callis, CGMP, Fundraising trustee, who will be in their second year of a two-year term. Learn more about the GIL on our website.