by
Quinn McGuire
Winston Churchill’s rallying cry for the British people during WW II was simple and succinct: hoping and praying for victory was fine (and he encouraged that), but deserving victory is what really mattered.
I believe “planning” is crucial to achieving victory and is a fundamental component when a person, a company, a country, or an organization “deserves” victory. Fortunately, your Board of Directors believes in planning, too, and we planned for the success we had as a local ACI Chapter.
ACI National requires local chapters to submit annual reports, much like your business does to its stakeholders. Fiscal soundness, compliance to bi-laws, membership numbers, educational events, student involvement, and communication efforts are measured. We used this annual report and will continue to use this annual report as a planning tool for victory as a chapter.
Allow me to list some of the chapter’s accomplishments in 2006 that were the result of planning:
- We planned to improve our financial status – and we did by nearly $20K and got back into the “black”.
- We planned to increase membership – and we did it by 170%!
- We committed to holding 5+ events and educational programs – and we did it.
- We planned on increasing student involvement within the chapter – and we have as UCSD and SDSU ACI student chapter officers now have seats on our board.
- We committed to keeping the Grade I Field Technician Certification program strong – and we did. It is continually sold out and we certify and/or re-certify well over 100 technicians per year.
- We planned another outstanding awards event where there are multiple categories of projects. In fact, we had 36 entries this year, over double the previous year, and 13 very deserving projects won awards.
- Your chapter committed to communicating regularly and better this year with monthly newsletters and upgrading our website and membership brochure – and we did it.
- And, your chapter committed to attending one of the Chapter Roundtables” or a “best practices” conference to share successful ideas that with other chapters around the country and to bring those winning ideas back to the chapter. And we did it.
Each of those areas, and some others, accumulated “points”. Those points were tallied and recorded by ACI National. Then our point total was compared to other chapters around the world.
The results of this planning and, ultimately, the hard work and creative efforts of a very talented Board of Directors was a well-deserved “VICTORY” as ACI National awarded your San Diego ACI Chapter as an “Outstanding Chapter” in 2006! Only 15 chapters in the world achieved this honor.
It has been an honor to serve as your chapter president this past year and to work with so many talented and devoted professionals that make up the board of directors and committed chairs. I thank them for their unselfish service to the industry and to the ACI Chapter members.
It has also been a privilege to work with another extraordinary person for the past 7 years. Barbara Gabrielson, the “God-Mother” of the chapter, will be signing off at the end of April and retiring with her dear husband, Ed. Amongst other activities, they will be traveling in their RV and working on lowering their handicaps. One of the ways to wish her well is by attending our Awards Event on May 4th at the Sycuan Resort. That will be her last official appearance. She will be missed but we wish her a long and healthy retirement.
Finally, please note that the administration of the chapter is in good capable hands as we were fortunate to find Heather Caya and hire her as our new Chapter Executive Secretary. She has a big role to fill but we believe she is up to the challenge. Heather’s DNA is right for a concrete organization like ours as her dad is Steve Campbell who drives our outstanding Certification Programs. Good luck to Heather as she accepts the administrative duties in May.
Kindest Regards,
Quinn McGuire