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ESM Hours of Operation:
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September 2007
ESM Association's
Executive Director's Message
Dear Valued Member:
It is with great pride that I write to you as ESM
Association's new Executive Director. Since I began
working in ESM Association's Communications Department
nearly 10 years ago, I have felt a strong connection to
the field of employee services. To me, the job of an
employee services provider is to make work worthwhile for
employees. Our members bring a contagious enthusiasm and
pizzazz to their programs. I've witnessed the
appreciation they have for their workforces and the sense
of camaraderie they foster through their programs. My
goal is to build the same sense of enthusiasm,
appreciation and camaraderie within ESM Association.
At ESM Association's 66th Annual Conference & Exhibit
in San Antonio, TX, there was much talk about "the
new ESM." I'd like to take this opportunity to share
my thoughts and provide some details on what this will
mean to you in the coming months and beyond.
ESM Association exists to make your jobs easier and we're
already making changes! Many conference attendees noticed
improvements to our conference format this year. Most of
our new ideas came directly from survey results and focus
groups of members who have, and have not, recently
attended the conference. As I addressed the group and
participated in networking sessions at the conference, I
was able to meet many of you and learn more about your
programs and struggles. You dedicate your free time to
ESM Association. I'd like you to feel as though you're
making a difference in this organization.
As ESM Association's Executive Director, my priorities
include implementing more outlets for members to network
with one another. One of those outlets is our local
Chapters. I am excited to learn that some of you are
interested in rebuilding local representation. My
objective is to offer support to those of you who
volunteer. In the last few years, the Board of Directors'
Chapter Relations Committee has dedicated its time to
servicing the needs of our Chapter leaders and members.
This year, the committee is implementing Leadership
Training Conference Calls. One of our Chapters' greatest
struggles is mentoring key members to become leaders. The
Conference Calls will train new and existing Chapter
leaders on the main job responsibilities of Chapter
leadership. I hope this initiative will help Chapter
Board members feel appreciated for their volunteerism, at
ease in their positions and inspired to become great
leaders in this organization. In the next month, look to
esmassn.org for more information on Leadership Training
Conference Calls.
Another goal of mine is to enhance the educational
opportunities available to you. This year, the ESM
Association staff is working with the Marketing Committee
to deliver Audio Conferences to our members. I realize
that many of you do not have large travel budgets or
cannot miss work to attend a seminar. Some of you cannot
travel to ESM Association's Annual Conference &
Exhibit every year or you may long for more educational
opportunities between conferences. These hour-long Audio
Conferences will include a speaker and an interactive
presentation. Their purpose is to motivate you and
provide ideas. Plan to participate in our first Audio
Conference, which will occur before the end of the year.
I am fortunate to work with such a wonderful
Headquarters' staff---including Christina Sanchez and
Betty Labny---as well as a truly supportive President,
Marci Kinnin, CESP, and a dynamic Board of Directors.
They all speak their minds and enjoy exchanging
information. With a background in Corporate
Communications, I share this approach. In interviewing
for my position, I developed a Business Plan for ESM
Association. I based many of my ideas on conversations
I've had with you. I plan to use this document and the
Board of Directors' input to create a Strategic Plan that
I can share with all of you toward the beginning of 2008.
At that time, I also will publish our Annual Report,
which will include a Financial Report. In the meantime,
please feel free to drop me a line, introduce yourself if
we haven't met or just call to say, "hi." I
look forward to partnering with you to boost membership,
to spread the word about ESM Association and to make a
difference in the employee services field.
Warm regards,
Renee M. Mula
Executive Director
reneemula@esmassn.org
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