Building an outstanding LMA Chapter: LMA Vancouver Chapter.

PositionWINNERS

With an emphasis on the needs of its members, the LMA Vancouver Chapter created a platform of programs, events, education and more that led to its receiving the LMA 2013 Outstanding Chapter Award. Here, Robert Gilfoyle, current Vancouver Chapter president, and Blair Lill, past president, talk about some of their key accomplishments over the past year, as well as their advice for building a strong chapter.

How did it feel to receive the 2013 Outstanding Chapter Award?

It was tremendous and highly motivating. We see the award as validation of the approach we have taken to developing the chapter from the outset seven years ago--focus on a few key strategic goals, keep bringing in innovative initiatives and make sure we understand and are responsive to the needs and wants of the chapter members above all else. We also think that the award is richly deserved recognition for the hard work current and previous board and committee members have contributed over the past few years.

What do you think is important in building a successful community within your chapter?

You have to listen carefully to the members through formal and informal channels so you can understand what they value the most. Once you know this, you can build the programming and other services on it. Every chapter probably has its own unique culture--its own distinctive way of doing things--and if you are in tune with that, you can build a successful community where the members are engaged in the activities of the chapter.

What advice do you have for other chapter leaders who want to build a strong chapter?

Have the board come together to reach consensus on the vision for the chapter three to five years down the road. What will success look like through the eyes of the members? Once you have developed this picture, decide on three or four strategic goals that, once achieved, will get you close to this vision of success. Keep the goals at the center of everything the board does and work slowly but steadily toward achieving them. In addition, involve the members as much as possible in the activities of the chapter; for example, we have a fantastic programming committee with members of differing levels of experience. Because we have the perspective of our junior, mid-level and senior members represented on the committee, we are able to develop programming that is relevant to all our members.

What were some of the Vancouver Chapter's key accomplishments throughout the past year?

We've...

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