Fall 2012 Edition
President’s Message:
A New Year’s Resolution
Jerry G. McPeake, MSLA
President, Mile High Chapter ALA
720.331.8220
As we count down the final hours of 2012, it’s time to reflect on the triumphs and tragedies of the past year.
It’s been a year of personal and societal changes, yet we survived it all…even the Mayan Apocalypse.
The Mile High Chapter is fortunate to have many events of 2012 to remember fondly: our annual retreat in
Boulder in February; our business partner expo in June; spending time together at the Membership
Committee’s rooftop party in September; hosting the Region 4 Conference and Exposition in October; our
Trick
?or?Treat for Lupus charity event; and the annual Chapter holiday party earlier this month. Add to
those events our networking socials, attorney appreciation event, and monthly educational luncheons, and
you can see that we’ve had a very busy and successful 2012.
These events would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our member volunteers who give
their time and talents to make things happen. These events would not have been possible without our
membership who attend and participate in the events. These events would not have been possible without
our Business Partner support.
I, along with President
?Elect Ann Wilson and Vice President Stacie Hedrick, recently met with our Business
Partners to discuss our Business Partnering Program and what we can do better to work together in true
partnership. One of their most frequent requests is more face time with our members. As a Chapter, we
recognize how busy each of us gets and how easy it is to blow off those vendor telephone calls or sponsored
events. However, it’s important for us all to remember the financial contribution that our Business Partners
make to the success of our Chapter. We as members need to make time to meet with them to hear what
products they have to offer; and to respect them enough to honestly tell them when we don’t have a need
for their services and not leave them hanging out there waiting.
The Mile High Chapter’s revenue from membership renewals yields approximately $25,000.00 every year,
but our Business Partner program yields close to $125,000.00 annually. Without the financial support of the
Business Partners, we would not be able to offer our members the educational and networking
opportunities we enjoy. It’s these funds that help us bring top quality speakers to our monthly luncheons
and allow us to offer webinars to our members at no cost. It’s their contribution to our coffers that allow us
to provide you with a retreat that is heavily subsidized by their support. It’s their support that allowed the
Chapter to give subsidies to members to attend the recent Region 4 Conference as well as scholarships to
attend the ALA Annual Conference and the Chapter Retreat.
As we look ahead to the possibilities of 2013, make it part of your New Year’s Resolution to work with our
business partners when you can and to respectfully decline their services when you are not able to use
them. They, like us, are all adults, and mutual respect and appreciation will go a long way toward ensuring
that the Mile High Chapter will have many more successful years in the future.
