It has been an amazing year so far! We started this chapter at the beginning of the year and already we have 27 members. This is more members than some chapters that have been around for several years. I would love to see that number grow more over the coming year. I have heard various reasons why someone hasn’t yet joined. Some examples are: “I’m just starting out and it’s too expensive”, “My employer doesn’t pay for it”, “I’m too busy to attend the meetings so why join”. While all of you feel that you reasons are valid, please keep in mind that this is the industry that affords you with your livelihood, and for many who have been in the business a while, a very comfortable lifestyle. If you are unable to pay the annual fee all at one time, did you know that you can pay monthly by credit card for about $35 per month? Please contact Mary Bishop at mbishop@capax.com if you are not a member and are interested in joining. We would love to have you!

While we are gaining momentum and I have heard many great things about our chapter and how glad that everyone is that there is now a local chapter, we are still working some of the kinks out.

One of the biggest issues that we are having as a chapter is that we did not really get out and find sponsors in time to get included in everyone’s annual budget and monies are tight this year. We as a chapter have paid for the last couple of luncheons out of our budget, and we can not afford to continue to do this. We are in desperate need of meeting sponsors for the rest of the year and next year. If anyone is interested in being a meeting sponsor, please contact our President-Elect Cindy Gipp at cgipp@capax.com and she will be happy to get you any information that you might need.

We have some great ideas for events for the next year, and if all goes well, we will be able to raise money for our budget so that this chapter can continue to provide benefits to the local community. We are planning on having a golf tournament in the spring as well as a CE day and a movie/family night in the near future. If anyone is interested in participating on the committees for any of these events please contact me at rrantz@dibu.com and I will get you in contact with the correct committee chair. We would love to have the help of as many people as possible.

I have really enjoyed this year so far and look forward to the rest of my term being just as great!