Dear IABC Tulsa members,

As the reigning International Chapter of the Year and three-time Small Chapter of the Year winner, there are so many things going really well for our Tulsa chapter. However, one thing our members and guests consistently ask us to consider changing is the location for our monthly meetings. Well, ask and you shall receive!

After many years, lots of research and several “test drives,” the board of directors is excited to announce that we are moving to The Summit Club for the majority of our meetings for the remainder of 2013. If you were able to attend the meeting last month at The Summit Club, then you were a part of a group providing us with rave reviews. From the room to the acoustics to the food (oh, the glorious food!), you had hardly any comments to share that weren’t positive.

We believe switching to this new location is the right thing for our growing chapter that is attracting top-notch speakers from around the country. In order to make this change, we have to raise the prices of our monthly luncheons. Beginning in June, the cost for a member will be $25, with a $35 charge for non-members. This fee covers the professional development and networking sessions offered at each meeting, along with a gourmet-quality lunch.

Despite the slight increase, our monthly meeting prices remain very competitive with other professional organizations, and at the low end of pricing compared to other IABC chapters around the globe. We’re excited this change allows us meet the demands of our customers – you! – and offer a more sophisticated locale for our meetings.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at iabctulsa@gmail.com. Thanks as always for your support of our chapter.

Sincerely,

Shannon Frederick, ABC
President, IABC Tulsa

By Shannon Frederick, ABC, IABC/Tulsa President

IABC/Tulsa’s Membership Co-Chair, Summer Austin, called a few weeks ago with some good news: our local chapter has reached a milestone with a roster that currently boasts 75 members.

Let me put that into perspective for you. Assuming we retain all of our current members and we add one more person, we’ll no longer qualify as a small chapter; we’ll be a medium-sized chapter.

This is great news, yes, and it forced me to do some deep thinking. In order for our chapter to add that one more golden member, we’re going to have to get out and recruit. What would make someone join IABC? Why did I join 13 years ago? Why do I stay a member? Here’s what I came up with:

• Networking – Expanding my social network, as well as fostering the strong relationships I’ve already built, is the No. 1 reason that I joined IABC and choose to keep my membership current. There’s always someone in the IABC family who can offer advice on a work situation, job search, chapter business or just about life in general. It’s nice to know so many people who share my passion for this industry!
• Accreditation – This won’t apply to all members (though I wish that it did), but those of us who have earned the distinction of Accredited Business Communicators must retain our membership. It’s simply part of the deal with nearly any professional organization that offers accreditation. No complaints here, though. Being an ABC has opened my eyes to a whole new crop of talented professionals within the profession – and you’ve already heard how much I like networking.
• Professional development – When you’re at your desk all day, it’s hard to stay current on trends in the industry and find time to learn new skills. IABC/Tulsa offers some of the best professional development opportunities in the world. It’s true – remember we received an award for our PD efforts. And let’s not forget the conferences, distance learning opportunities and published materials that IABC affords to its members.
• Mentoring – When I was first getting my toes wet as a professional communicator, it was through involvement in IABC that allowed me to build relationships with some amazing mentors. These seasoned professionals helped me to build my skills for work; fostered my passion for IABC and encouraged me to take on leadership roles at the chapter level; and one very important mentor (you know who you are) pushed me to prepare for the ABC exam. Wouldn’t you like someone to take an interest in your career and help you to be the best you can be?!

Do these thoughts resonate for you? If they don’t, and even if they do, please visit our Facebook page and tell us why you choose to be a member of IABC.

Then let’s all get to work recruiting member No. 76 and pushing our Small Chapter of the Year* to medium-sized!

*P.S. We were also the 2013 International Chapter of the Year…just in case you haven’t heard.

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May 14, 2013, 10 a.m. CDT
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