SHPE - Fall 2007 - (Page 16) C O V E R S T O RY Tools of the Trade Group Dynamics, Recruitment and Funding Essentials Explored N ILA’s workshops addressed every facet of leadership, equipping participants with the know-how and skills to build up their local chapters. Starting from the basics, SHPE 101 provided leaders with information on how to make their chapters excel using the Society’s GPA Rewards Program, National Points System and End of Year Reports as frameworks. An AHETEMS workshop demonstrated SHPE’s ability to offer scholarships, fund ACE proposals and establish SHPE Jr. chapters. Chapter leaders also explored OneSHPE’s applications, which range from membership management and conference registration to professional development podcasts. In the near future, it may also host chapter websites and member e-mail accounts. A favorite among many participants was Texas Instruments’ “Membership Recruitment and Retention.” Beyond attracting hungry students with free food, presenters recommended a program for new member orientation. “Their introduction to the organization must be solid,” said Freddy Angus, a technical sales engineer. He also suggested inviting nonHispanics. “We already know all about the Hispanic culture, but others don’t. Wouldn’t it be great for them to learn?” Networking and career opportunities are definite membership benefits, but leadership development should also be promoted among potential members. “They should know that SHPE offers a safe place to practice leadership skills before they go into the work force,” he said. Selling the organization to potential members is one thing, but selling it to possible sponsors is among the greatest challenges new leaders face. “Selling is all about relationships,” said Niki Nicastro McCuistion as she guided students through her effective sales process. Since people give to those they know, she recommended that each NILA participant send out a press release informing their communities about their recent leadership training. She also advised them to invest their time researching entrepreneurial men, women and companies and submitting proposals for funding. “What are they partial to? What are they willing to fund? What affinity do they have to your organization? Look for matches between your organization and the other organizations these individuals support,” she said. Anticipating the needs of a larger chapter, Jennifer Laras couldn’t wait to put the fundraising advice into practice at the University of California, Los Angeles. She also hoped that the additional funding would increase the number of freshmen who could attend the SHPE Conference. A mainstay of the NILA program for the past eight years has been Gary Rifkin’s seminar on time management. Using an engineering approach, he helped students identify the areas in their lives over which they had the greatest control. He also showed them how to assign priorities to tasks and set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely or SMART. When it came to subject of teamwork, presenter LTJG Bobby Ramirez drew from his life experiences as a Navy Seal. “To lead yourself, use your head,” he said. “To lead others, use your heart.” Action in both regards, he added, must be guided by five E’s: using energy to respond to stress rather than react to it; energizing others positively with a clear vision and guidance; getting the edge by thinking before speaking or Miriam Febus (far right), SHPE’s resident expert on executive board transition, provided helpful tips on making the process smooth and successful. Navy Seal LTJG Robert Ramirez New palm pilots made networking fun and easy. 16 SHPE R Fall 2007
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