Final Regular Convention Day...

No business sessions today.... Just educational workshops and the Banquet. During the banquet various awards are given out and the incoming president normally gives a speech. Apparently our incoming president won't be able to be present and has taped a message. Very odd beginning...

Tomorrow is the post convention leadership workshop where we will receive information for the coming year. We are certainly anxious to see what they have come up with.

Wow! What a Day!

Well the day started bright and early (or rather dark and early - at 4:00 a.m. the sun has not yet risen!). Why was the chapter delegate up so early??? Well, it is Convention, after all! We were hosting the interchapter brainstorming breakfast this morning and it was a sold out affair with standing room only - 80 individuals came to share their ideas and best practices as we reviewed the upcoming Pathways to Excellence program. What a great time was had by all. I have promised though to investigate the possibility of holding this session on Saturday afternoon next year. We'll see though - have to review all the conflicts that exist.

Next it was on to the business session and what a business session it was. The officers were announced from yesterday's elections:

President: Barb Horton CAP
President-Elect: Susan Shamali CPS/CAP
Vice President: Mary Ramsey-Drow CAP
Secretary: Janine Reimersma CPS/CAP
Treasurer: Karlena Rannals CPS/CAP
Northeast District Director: Judith Yannarelli CPS/CAP
Northwest District Director: Valerie S. King CPS/CAP
Southwest District Director: Antoinette Smith CPS/CAP

Affiliate Representative: Jennifer Sandra Hinkson CMP

RTF Trustees: Kelly Reggio CAP & Patricia Row CPS/CAP

Then it was on to the new motions that were proposed. The International Board came out to oppose both of these motions. However, the members were adamant and both proposals ended up passing. This chapter delegate was privileged to speak in support of the second motion.

After this, the chapter delegate met with a Canadian member to discuss the specific challenges of large chapters and new chapter building.

During the afternoon, great educational workshops were attended.

The Illinois Division had its Division outing to a bowling alley and had a great time bowling and listening to great music and chowing down on appetizers.

Andy Child (remember him from the Nashville Convention?) was tonight's entertainment and did a fabulous job.

The new convention location for 2014 was announced - Milwaukee, WI - wow that is a surprise! Great news for the Two Rivers Chapter, as we are within two hours of Milwaukee.

Bylaws Are Done! Whew!

Well it was quite the challenging business session, but we finally made it through, thank goodness. For those of you wondering, the results were:

Amendment 1 (allowing board to do business by email): PASS
Amendment 2 (allowing Board to set rules for campaigning): FAIL
Amendment 3 (sanctions for violating rules): PASS (after amending to strike the phrase "to a lifetime ban from seeking office in all future elections).
Amendment 4 (stating that Nominations Committee enforces rules): PASS
Standing Rule Amendment 1 (to remove current campaigning rules): FAIL (as a result of amendment 2 failing)
Standing Rule Amendment 2 (allowing 30 day overlap of terms): PASS

The voting had a second ballot (but you'll have to find out from someone else who the two candidates were). Official results come out tomorrow as to who won the elections.

Two motions were submitted for consideration:

1) A motion requesting that guidelines be created to define "misconduct"

2) A motion requesting that online chapter registration be provided to all chapters.

These two motions will be voted on tomorrow.

Our keynoter was fabulous. Unfortunately the pictures I took of him were lousy... :)

Off to bed now... Have to be up in about five hours to host interchapter brainstorming breakfast!

Convention Officially Starts...

The Convention started officially today with our very impressive business session. The stage is quite large and dramatic, featuring the various road signs of the IAAP 2008-2009 Forward Moving Year. We always kick it off with the Parade of Nations flag processional, which is quite inspiring, as flags representing all the nations represented at convention are brought across the stage. It reminds us all that we are truly an International organization.






















The attendee numbers were higher than HQ had expected. Over 1900 attendees had already been checked in. Here's a small glimpse of the general business session, but it doesn't fully capture just how large this room actually is or how many people are actually crammed into that room!



























Various amounts of exciting business today - a move to restore good of the order was defeated. SEVEN (7!) candidates were nominated from the floor (for a total of 27 candidates for all the offices). As you can imagine, the candidate speeches took a fair amount of time. Something new added this year was a time slot for the delegates and alternates to meet the candidates. Definitely an improvement over last year.

Also held during the afternoon was the Office Expo, an excellent opportunity to interact with many IAAP sponsors and vendors (and get plenty of goodies!).

The evening brought the Evening of Welcome - a party New Orleans style. This friendly face greeted us and got us in the mood to celebrate the night and meet and greet old friends and new faces.




















Some of the attendees fully embraced their mission!

Arrival in New Orleans for Intl Convention

Well the excitement is thick in the air (along with the humidity). The Two Rivers Chapter delegate has arrived in New Orleans for the 2008 International Convention and Education Forum. Today was filled with educational workshops (the phenomenal Gini Courter who has conducted a seminar for the Two Rivers Chapter previously) and the International Headquarters Bulletin Board Users Networking event this evening.

The beautiful fountain outside our hotel:

One of the tour boats at the port right next to our hotel.

The Bulletin Board users networking event:

Job Search Bootcamp - September 6, 2008

Mark your calendar for September 6, 2008 when the Two Rivers Chapter presents a very special Job Search Bootcamp. You'll hear speakers on the topics of Conducting an Electronic Job Search, Handling Tough Interview Questions, and Career Challenge: 4 Steps to Move Your Career Forward. So many companies in our area are cutting back, laying off, closing locations. No job is completely safe. Be sure to keep your job searching skills current, even if you aren't currently looking. It never hurts to be prepared!