Candidates

SGMP National Capital Chapter Board of Directors

2025-2027 Candidates

The SGMP NATCAP Nominations & Elections Committee is pleased to present the list of approved candidates for the 2025-2027 Chapter Board:

President
Melissa Woodruff, CMP, CGMP
First Vice President
Jessica Robinson, CMP, CGMP, HMCC
Second Vice President
Bernard Howe, CGMP
Secretary
Tecumseh Deloney, CMP, CGMP
Treasurer
Claudia Gunter, CGMP
Directors
Lisa Gail, CGMP
Amy Rossi, CGMP
Sherri Thurston, CGMP

COMMITTEES

To join a NATCAP Committee, click here.

Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is the voice of NATCAP through our newsletter, News & Views and the website, www.sgmpnatcap.org. Our Committee members are responsible for the look and feel of the website and generate most of the content that is shared with the membership. Our goal is to share information, resources and best practices that are IMPORTANT to our membership; and content that will enhance our planners and supplier's roles within their organization. Additionally, we seek to strength NATCAP's social media presence. We welcome your input! For more information or to join the committee, please contact Kim McKoy at: [email protected]

Community Outreach/Hospitality Committee
The Community Outreach and Hospitality Committee develops an outreach incentive program to help strengthen our communities with the support of SGMP NATCAP volunteer work, donations, and monetary assistance. For more information or to join the committee, please contact Christina Bush at: [email protected]

Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is responsible for the major functions related to management of chapter membership. This includes ensuring and overseeing membership database maintenance, developing and implementing member recruitment and retention strategies, and employing and enhancing communication and outreach to promote members’ involvement and connection to the chapter. For more information to join the committee, please contact Jessica Robinson at: [email protected]

Programs Committee
Being a volunteer and an active member of the Programs Committee can allow you the opportunity to develop content and work with invited guests and speakers for NATCAP’s Monthly Meetings and special events. The Programs Committee provides educational opportunities to enhance members personal and professional development. We are looking forward to bringing dynamic and engaging programs to the National Capital Chapter this year and hope you will be a part of the experience! For more information, to host meetings or to join the committee, please contact Kathleen Ryan at: [email protected]

Nominations & Elections Committee
The Nominations & Elections Committee functions under the guidelines established for SGMP's National Board of Directors and Chapter elections. For more information or to join the committee, please contact Melody Kebe at: [email protected]

Special Events Committee
The Special Events Committee plans, organizes and executes several special fundraising / networking events each year which includes the Holiday Celebration & Silent Auction, Honors & Awards Gala and Summer Outing. For more information or to join the committee, please contact Therese Palermino at: [email protected]

Sponsorship Committee
The Sponsorship Committee solicits sponsorships to support NATCAP education events and coordinates between committees to source venues for education meetings and special events. For more information or to join the committee, please contact Claudia Gunter at: [email protected]

Honors and Awards Committee
The Honors and Awards Committee recommends and nominates members for national and chapter awards. For more information or to join the committee, please contact Heather Parrish at: [email protected]

NATCAP ONBOARDING GUIDE

Onboarding Guide

Check out our Onboarding Guide for insight into your NATCAP membership.

NATCAP REFRESH

NATCAP Refresher

The NATCAP Refresher is our new virtual coffee hour where you will hear all about our member updates and upcoming events.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Community Outreach

NATCAP Charities:

Leashes of Valor https://leashesofvalor.org/

“ONE LEASH SAVES TWO LIVES”

Leashes of Valor is a national nonprofit that provides highly-trained service dogs to post-9/11 veterans to help with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other “unseen wounds” of military service. Whenever possible, we source dogs from animal shelters and rescue organizations. Our goal is to enrich and improve the lives of both veterans and dogs: one leash saves two lives. Follow-up communication with our veterans continues as long as requested, and our grant program helps cover veterinary and other service dog-related expenses for veterans who cannot afford it.

Paws of Honorhttps://pawsofhonor.org/ “Two Heroes, One Leash”

Paws of Honor (POH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing veterinary care and covering medical expenses for retired military and law enforcement K9s that have served our country. These brave canines have played crucial roles in protecting our communities and serving our nation, often putting their lives on the line. Founded by individuals who recognized the immense sacrifices made by these American heroes, POH's mission is to ensure that retired K9s receive accessible, veterinary care without placing a financial burden on their handlers. When encountering hostile environments, dangerous individuals, and life-threatening situations, they courageously carry out their duties, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and bravery. These dedicated K9s deserve the best possible care in their golden years as a token of gratitude for their commitment and service to our nation.

NATCAP will be collecting items for Leashes of Valor at the Fall Education Day, October 29, 2024.

HISTORY

History

The Founding of SGMP

The Society of Government meeting professionals was established in October 1981 in Washington, DC. Organizers of government meetings saw a need for a forum in which to discuss mutual objectives and techniques for conducting business meetings of the government. They sought to create an opportunity to meet on common ground with the providers of meeting services and facilities to review the latest trends in planning and implementing these events. The motivating force behind the new organization was Sam Gilmer. His insight into the need for such a group proved prophetic. Today, SGMP has grown to nearly 3,000 members and 21 chapters.

In April 1986, after several chapters had been formed throughout the country, SGMP chartered the National Capital Chapter to allow government meeting professionals in the nation's capital to have their own home chapter.

Samuel O. Gilmer

Shaping the Industry

Sam Gilmer, a dedicated federal government meeting planner, played an instrumental role in the founding of the Society of Government Meeting Planners, which is now the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP). Sam recognized the need for an organization that promoted the importance of and unique needs of a government meeting planner. As their work was greatly impacted by the rules and regulations of the federal government, government meeting planners needed their own society to educate its members to run effective and efficient meetings for all levels of government as well hospitality suppliers on how to help them manage the cost of government meetings.

Single Most Important Contribution

Sam's insight into the need for a government professionals group proved prophetic. He wanted professional development and training that pertained to the unique field of government planners. He was dedicated to create an association suited to the unique needs of government meeting planners and to provide them with knowledge, education, techniques, mutual objectives and industry relationships to enhance the quality of the government meetings industry. Thanks to his tireless effort, SGMP has given professional development opportunities and services to all levels of government meeting professionals. Watch Sam Gilmer's induction into the Event Industry Council Hall of Leaders. Information on Sam Gilmer provided by the Events Industry Council Virtual Hall of Leaders

ETHICS

Ethics

Because we recognize that government planners and the hospitality industry are companion functions within the meeting planning fields, and

Because sound price cost-effective transactions must be mutually profitable, and

Because cooperation between government meeting planners and suppliers will reduce the cost of meetings with consequent benefits to the hospitality industry and to the national economy as a whole,

We, therefore, subscribe to the following standards of professionalism in the relationship between government meeting planners and suppliers and within the industry as a whole.

To avoid misrepresentation in all business dealings, recognizing that permanent business relations on a professional level can be maintained only on a basis of HONESTY and fairness.
To buy and sell on the basis of value, recognizing that value represents that combination of quality of service and price which assures the greatest ultimate economy to the user.
To respect obligations incurred and neither express nor imply a performance which you cannot reasonably expect to fulfill.
To adjust and settle disputes on the basis of facts and fairness only.
To recognize that CHARACTER is the greatest asset in commerce, and to give it consideration in all business transactions for the betterment of the profession.
To avoid statements tending to injure or discredit and to divulge no information acquired in confidence with the intent of giving or receiving an unfair advantage in a competitive business transaction.
To provide, accept or demand no gifts or entertainment in the guise of sales expense, where the intent or effect is to unduly influence the recipients in favor of the donor, and to renounce all forms of commercial bribery.
To strive consistently for EDUCATION and growth of KNOWLEDGE within the profession.
To counsel (mentor) and to accept counsel from colleagues whenever the occasion permits, in the furtherance of the profession, as well as the Society.
To not use the Society or allow the Society to be used for overt commercial or personal purposes.