It’s time to get engaged.
I hope you were able to attend our 68th annual conference in St. Louis, MO and be inspired by the keynote speakers, educated by the information supplied in the breakout sessions, and refreshed by the opportunity to relax and network with your fellow employee involvement professionals.
Now, we're getting ready for our 69th annual conference in San Antonio, Texas on September 14 - September 16, 2011 at the beautiful Mariott Riverwalk. Again we will offer a great opportunity to recharge your "idea battery" exchange information with your IdeasAmerica peers and even share your knowledge formally by presenting at the conference. Presenting at the conference can indeed force you to think, research, justify, and apply your knowledge. This can be a growth experience for you. We will meet in San Antonio to "Discover Ideas, Innvation and Involvement-Deep in the Heart of Texas!"
But the key to getting the most from your membership in IA and from attending the conferences, whether you’re a new or long term member, is involvement. As idea, innovation and involvement professionals, we seek to inspire others to be creative and participative, but we often fail to practice what we preach. If you become truly engaged in IA, either by volunteering to serve on a committee, running for the Board, or offering suggestions for ways to improve the organization, you will reap the benefits. This is an organization that is run by the membership, and it relies on all of its members to contribute to its success.
If you would like to get involved, we will do our best to find you, but please don’t wait. Instead, contact any of the Board members or the IA office to let us know how we can help you or you can help us.
Some of the benefits of belonging to an association with a 68-year history are:
- Annual conference and workshops on the latest trends, techniques, and programs in employee involvement.
- Quarterly e-newsletter – Ideas & Inspirations – with quick ideas for program improvement and training.
- Annual statistical report – A compilation of member company programs focusing on productivity and participation statistics in employee suggestion and idea programs.
- Awards programs to recognize the best in ideas and employee involvement professionals
- Regional workshops – Company sponsored regional workshop opportunities to learn first hand about employee involvement.
- Associate members – The best opportunities to meet and talk with the foremost consultants, trainers and vendors in employee involvement.
If you are visiting the website for the first time and would like to know more about the IdeasAmerica Association, please feel free to contact Paula Davis our Executive Director, at [email protected] or any one of the board members. If you are interested in starting an ideas, innovation and involvement system, becoming a member or getting more involved in IA, or you just have a question, send us an e-mail or give us a call -- we are here to serve you.
Yours truly,
Andrea Kelley, CASS
IdeasAmerica Association National President
