Subscribe via RSSA Welcome Message from the President
Welcome to a New Year!
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual 2021/2022 Annual Kickoff on September 22nd! For those who could not attend, I want to acknowledge the accomplishments of our chapter in the past year and let you know about our focus moving ahead.
Every three years the SMPS Seattle Board of Directors reviews our strategic plan and develops a new one, which we use to set our course for the next three years. In 2020 we boiled our strategic plan down to these seven goals:
- Raise Awareness of SMPS Seattle
- Maintain Recurring Sponsors
- Produce Exceptional Events
- Give Back to our Community
- Collaborate with Other Chapters in Delivering Educational Content
- Serve as a Resource for Emerging AEC Marketers
- Recruit & Engage Volunteers to Deliver Chapter DEI Initiatives
As is evidenced in the graphics included at the bottom of this page, SMPS Seattle has a lot to celebrate. Even through a global pandemic our 300+ members stayed engaged with one another virtually by attending 18 chapter events, meeting with peers on Zoom in our 12 members-only round tables, and attending virtual study groups. Our chapter added five new CPSMs in the last 12 months, and we have 20 mentor/mentee pairings thanks to our thriving Multiply Program! The Welcome Wagon greeted our newest members with six online “coffee breaks,” and we held educational and networking events with our peers in other chapters around the country! Our chapter donated over $6,600 to charities – most of which were nonprofits selected by our members. Most importantly, we awarded more than $6,700 in membership, continuing education, and conference attendance scholarships – more than ever before.
New Opportunities
Perhaps most importantly, during this challenging time, we have established a growing DEI Committee, which is in the process of selecting a consultant to perform an audit of our chapter practices and help guide our leadership in creating a more diverse and equitable SMPS community.
To broaden our inclusion efforts, the Membership Committee has developed an improved Student Membership experience and we are collaborating with regional institutions of higher learning to offer free and low-cost learning opportunities for students, as well as scholarships for student members!
We have a lot to be proud of, and we could not have accomplished this without the continued efforts and engagement of our members, the support of our incredible sponsors, and our amazing team of nearly 100 volunteer members.
Uncharted Territory
Last year, as President, Melanie Cochrun inspired us to keep moving forward, despite the unknown, into Uncharted Territory. Thanks to our strategic plan we were able to draw a road map and follow it to the finish line. In many ways, as a chapter, we thrived.
But I want to acknowledge that each of us is not the same person we were 18 months ago. This pandemic, the loss of our daily routines and social distractions, the unexpected home-bound nature of 2020 left its mark on all of us. I am not the same woman, mother, partner, manager, or marketer that I used to be – and I think most of you can relate.
Come As You Are
And so, as we start this new year at SMPS Seattle, I want us to recognize these differences in ourselves and in one another and to embrace them. I want us to acknowledge that we probably aren’t where we expected to be in late 2021 – and that’s okay. And I want each and every one of you to feel welcomed – from wherever you are, in whatever place you find yourself – to COME AS YOU ARE.
- Those of us who lost our jobs or realized the ones we had were unfulfilling.
- Those of us who felt like we were drowning as we tried to keep our heads above water while we worked from home and our kids tried to learn over Zoom.
- Those of us who feel like our minds don’t work the way others’ do.
- Those of us who can’t manage the same physical demands that some of our friends seem to.
- Those of us who don’t come across to others the way we wish we did.
- Those of us who fight imposter syndrome every day, certain we don’t belong here. (Guess what – we do).
- Those of us who glance around and don’t see other people who look like us, sound like us, or grew up where we did.
- Those of us who fight every day to feel seen, heard, acknowledged.
At SMPS Seattle, we are here for you.
And so I invite you – with all sincerity – please, come as you are. That’s all we can ask of one another. Be here, whatever that means for you. SMPS Seattle is here to meet you where you are.
We have worked intentionally for years to become a more welcoming and supportive SMPS Chapter, and now we are working to be safe, inclusive, and equitable for each and every one of our members and colleagues – and for the countless members we haven’t met yet.
Thank you for making SMPS Seattle one of the largest, most innovative chapters in The Society. By showing up, just as we are, I know we will continue to create a space where everyone feels welcomed and inspired.
I can’t wait to see you at one of our upcoming events!
Liz Wasson Coleman, CPSM
SMPS Seattle President
Marketing Director, Johnston Architects
[email protected]
Giving Back – More Now Than Ever!
At the 2021/2022 Kickoff we drew three random raffle winners! SMPS Seattle donated $400 to a nonprofits of their choice. They are:
- Mia Baybayan, GGLO - PAWS
- Madison Pearson, Osborn Consulting - Seattle Brain Cancer Walk
- Kimberly Allen, KPFF - The Duwamish Tribe
- Victor Hernandez, CKC - carbonfund.org
A grand prize was awarded to one lucky attendee: FREE attendance to an upcoming webinar from SMPS HQ! John Crase of WJE was the winner! Congratulations, and we hope you enjoy this continuing education opportunity.
