NORTHEAST MICHIGAN INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting
November 08, 2000

PRESIDENTS REPORT 

 NMIA is in its' fourth year of growth and continued success.   Our effectiveness in delivering services to our members has again improved significantly.  We are readily recognized throughout the local community as a strong and effective organization.  We have formally started to interface officially with the political community in an effort to be heard and to have a positive impact.  The local educators continue to utilize NMIA participation in improving the educational system.

The Board of Directors has been very active in 2000.  The participation of this involved and strong Board has significantly advanced NMIA.  The organization’s objectives for 2000 were developed, targeted and implemented throughout the year.

The Board of Directors decided to open board membership to associate members.  The Board correctly felt that the expanded membership participation would improve the depth and effectiveness their activities.  Steve Leonard of the West Branch Area Chamber and Cliff Fardell of C.O.O.R. Intermediate School District joined the Board of Directors in 2000.

NMIA successfully added an existing Safety Committee to our organization.  The safety committee reports to the Board, has a member attend the Board meetings and is extremely active and effective in implementing their Mission to promote workplace safety.

NMIA partnered with Alpena College to sponsor the well-known Fred Pryor Seminars to the public and our members.  This is significant step for NMIA as it starts to expand our influence in the State.

The first $500 scholarships were awarded to two relatives of employees of NMIA member companies.  The member companies were Assembly Concepts and Valenite.    NMIA will continue to award yearly scholarships in 2001 and beyond.

We had our first venture in government involvement in 2000.  We conducted a Michigan Legislative Update member meeting in May with limited success.  We had one Representative attend, Dale Sheltrown (D) District 103.   We soon learned that we invited the Representatives and Senators while they were in session, thereby limiting attendance.  The next venture will be better.

The association grew in 2000 by 16 members or 49%.  We now have 27 general members and 22 associate members.  This growth was an outstanding accomplishment.

BOARD of DIRECTORS:

Denis A. Weiss - President - Taylor Building Products
Robert M. Scibor - Vice President  - Ogemaw Forge
John Friederichs - Treasurer - Valenite
Jeri Orlando - Secretary - Ogemaw Forge
Jeff Fournier - Administrator - Taylor Building Products

James Edgar - West Branch Industries 
Kenna Ogasawara - Weyerhaeuser
Mike Quigley - Assembly Concepts
Steve Leonard - West Branch Area Chamber of Commerce
John Patchin - CSI Industrial Systems
Cliff Fardell - C.O.O.R. Intermediate School District
Don Gusler - Kneeland Indudtries
Jim Santorum - Tawas Tool

2000 NMIA OBJECTIVES

                                                                              SUB-COMMITTEE
                                                                              CHAIRPERSON/S

1.      Training Seminar Programs                                        Jeff Fournier

2.      Education System Involvement                                    Denis Weiss   

3.      Scholarship Program Development                             Jim Edgar / Toni Ott

4.      Association Growth                                                 Conrad Kroening

5.      Update Membership Book                                        Jeri Orlando/ Jeff Fournier

6.      Improve Public Awareness                                         Jeff Fournier / Denis Weiss

7.      Annual Golf Outing                                                   Mike Quigley

8.      Develop Voice in Government                                   Jeff Fournier / Denis Weiss/Don Gusler

2000 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 MEMBER MEETINGS:

·          November 1999 Annual Meeting:

¨        Election of Board Members:

Ø      Don Gusler, Kneeland Industries

Ø      Jim Santorum, Tawas Tool

Ø      Mike Quigley (2^nd Term), Assembly Concepts

Ø      Jim Edgar (2^nd Term), West Branch Industries

Ø      Kenna Ogasawara, Weyerhaeuser

·          January Membership meeting:

¨        Topic:   -  “Profit Enhancement”

¨        Presented by:   -  Steven Guarini, a seasoned business advisor.

·          March Membership Meeting:

¨        Topic:   -  “Empowerment… A Nice Word, So What Does It Mean”

¨        Presented by:   -  Kenna Ogasawara, President of Link to Success.

·          May Membership Meeting:

¨        Topic:   -  “Michigan Legislature Update”

¨        Presented by:   -  Dale Sheltrown (D) District 103

·          July membership meeting:

¨        Topic:   -  “Third Annual NMIA Golf Outing”

¨        Organizer:   -  Mike Quigley, Assembly Concepts, Inc.

·          September Membership Meeting:

¨        Topic:   -   “Controlling Workers Compensation Costs, Effective Safety Plans and Training and Taking Control of Claims”

¨        Presented by:   -  Gerald Medler, MIOSHA.

         Robert Faulkner, Faulkner & Williams, P.C.

SEMINARS:

·          “Principles and Practices of Leadership 1”

¨        October 6, 13, 20, 2000

¨        Quality Inn, West Branch

¨        Presented by American Society of Employers.

MEMBERSHIP:

OBJECTIVES:

 ·         Training seminar program: 

This year the NMIA offered the popular “Principles and Practices of Leadership 1” for the fourth time.   We also partnered with Alpena College to sponsor the following Fred Pryor Seminars in 2000 & 2001:

·                      Conflict Management & Confrontational skills.

·                      How to make presentations with confidence & power.

·                      Conquering workplace negativity.

·                      How to manage multiple projects & meet deadlines.

·                      How to deliver exceptional customer service.

·          Education System Involvement:

NMIA is now recognized in the Education system as a vocal and viable force in the community.   As a member of the local Work Force Task Force, we have helped to open the door for participation in the education system.  We are a member of the Ogemaw County Business & Education Alliance that is a partnership between business and education.  Business partners now are participating in the Academic Center activities at OHHS. 

·          Scholarship Program:

The first two $500 scholarships were awarded to relatives of NMIA member company employees at our May membership meeting.  The scholarships were awarded to:

·                      Jeffery J. Williams of West Branch, attending Ferris State University.  Relative, James                   Williams, works at Assembly Concepts.

·                      Lesa Kay Schneider, attending Kettering University. Father works at Valenite.

·          Association Growth:

NMIA General Membership increased by 13% while our Associate Membership increased by 144% with an overall growth rate year-to-year of 49%.  This is an outstanding achievement in growth and is indicative of NMIA’s strength and impact in the community.

·          Update Membership Book:

An updated NMIA membership directory was published for 2000-2001. The team lead by Jeri Orlando did and outstanding job making this happen.

·          Improve Public Awareness:

The NMIA is now recognized by more people in the community due to the actions and activities of all of our members.   Community leaders and educators now recognize and respect our organization and actively seek our participation and advice.

·          Annual Golf Outing:

The 3rd annual NMIA golf outing was better attended and more successful than the second.  It is so important to take time out to relax, have fun and socialize and thanks to Mike Quigley and his team, we were able to do just that this year.  There is a lot to be said for the old saying “Enjoy life, go outside and play with your toys”.   We did, thanks Mike.

·          Develop Voice in Government:

Our first attempt to gain a voice in government was at our May dinner meeting entitled “Michigan Legislative Update”.   Michigan Representative Dale Sheltrown (D) District 103 attended and addressed the group.

SUMMARY:

 2000 was a great year of growth and development for NMIA.   We made progress on every one of the organizations objectives.   We accomplished what we set out to do.  With our expanded Board of Directors, 2001 promises to be even better.

Thanx for the opportunity to serve the NMIA,

Denis Weiss

NMIA President

11/08/2000