My first month serving as your SOCAP International President has been both rewarding and exciting. Over the last month, I have spent most of my time trying to get to know our SOCAP Leadership at the chapter and International levels. I have been inspired by the enthusiasm and the passion possessed by both your Board of Directors and the staff here in Alexandria, Virginia.

I specifically had the opportunity to attend the annual Board of Directors Meeting and Annual Planning Session that was held during the first week of August in Seattle, Washington. The Board utilized the results of the 2006 Member Needs Assessment Survey—completed by more than 30% of the membership—to put together a set of aggressive and future-oriented plans focused on enhancing member services and strengthening education and networking opportunities. The Board is now preparing itself to look at SOCAP in different and more exciting ways – not necessarily to change the organization, but to give it a bit of a facelift. It will be my pleasure to update all of you on these changes in the coming months.

Your participation in SOCAP activities is critical to the organization’s success. You recently received a call from the SOCAP Leadership to get involved by volunteering for a SOCAP committee or task force or to serve as a contributor to CRM Magazine. I encourage you to consider becoming active with SOCAP committees and to respond to this invitation. Your volunteer participation with SOCAP can help to shape the future of your profession.

Additionally, you might have also noticed the addition of a new feature to the SOCAP website called “SOCAP Feedback.” This feature will enable us to better serve YOU! Feel free to utilize this tool if you have question or comments about how SOCAP can serve you better, or if you are looking for best practices on how better to run your call center or work with your marketing team. SOCAP staff stands ready to address your questions and receive your input. Help is just a click away!

Finally, I hope that you have made your plans to join us in Toronto for our 2006 Annual Conference. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity for you to network with leaders in consumer affairs and customer care from a variety of industries. Additionally, you will gain incredible insights from our diverse keynote speakers and breakout sessions.

You may also notice that we are taking advantage of our conference location in Canada to bring you a fresh international perspective to the SOCAP Annual Conference. Please make plans to reserve your spot at this important meeting!

As always, please feel free to contact any member of the SOCAP staff if there is anything that we can do to help enrich your membership experience.

I hope to see you in Toronto!

Matthew

SOCAP International's Annual Conference in October will feature two of America’s top industry speakers—Keith Harrell and Barbara Sanfilippo.

Keith Harrell is no stranger to the limelight. In his youth, Keith dreamed of becoming a basketball star. Instead, his positive attitude enabled him to become a top sales and training instructor at IBM and eventually to take his speaking skills “on the road.” In 2000, Keith was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame and published the book Attitude Is Everything: Ten Life Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action. Keith may not have become a star in the NBA, but he has become a star in the corporate speaking world—one that The Wall Street Journal proclaims a “Star With Attitude.” Keith will deliver his keynote address at the SOCAP conference on Tuesday, October 17.

Like Keith, Barbara Sanfilippo motivates and inspires audiences by drawing on her industry experience as a Bank of America Vice President and Regional Sales Manager. In addition to speaking, Barbara has authored two books and numerous articles, hosted a variety of teleseminars and co-owns Romano and Sanfilippo, a business consulting firm that helps organizations build a sales and service culture. Barbara’s speaking engagements have landed her, too, in the Speaker Hall of Fame. She will deliver the opening keynote address at the SOCAP conference on Monday, October 16.

Media personality and former gameshow host, Bob Eubanks (featured in the last issue of Update), also joins Keith Harrell and Barbara Sanfilippo in the All-Star lineup of keynote speakers for the SOCAP Annual Conference. This year’s conference promises to be a memorable and inspiring experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear these outstanding speakers!

To register for the SOCAP International Annual Conference, click here.

Meetings for SOCAP International’s Special Affinity Networking Groups (SANGs) have been scheduled for October 18 at the Annual Conference in Toronto.

The Executive SANG will meet from 8:30-10:30 am, with presentations from Gayle Turner of Beckett Advisors and Jeff Maszal of Customer Care Measurement and Consulting. The presenters will provide hard-hitting presentations on how to communicate effectively with senior management and your CEO. Attendees will also learn how to make a concise and effective presentation that will get noticed.

The Food & Beverage SANG will follow, from 10:45 am–2:00 pm, and will feature presentations on the Canadian consumer market, working with the Canadian government and Canadian privacy laws. Speakers include Heather Forbes of Maple Leaf Foods, Don Lacy of Parmalat Canada and Sara Levine of Faskin Martineau. The meeting will include lunch.

Following the Food & Beverage SANG meeting on October 18, RQA will conduct a Recall Simulation workshop from 2:00-4:00 pm. This workshop, hosted by the Food and Beverage SANG, will provide an overview of the recall process as well as a recall simulation involving role playing and teamwork. The workshop’s objectives are to help attendees understand recalls and to learn the key communication necessary in managing a recall. Workshop speakers will be Angie Lawless and Melanie Gilbert of RQA. There will be a reception hosted by RQA following the workshop.

Both SANG meetings at the Annual Conference are open to non-SANG members. Additional registration is required. Visit the SOCAP website for meeting details, workshop fees and registration information.

The 2006 Annual Business Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17 during the SOCAP International Annual Conference in Toronto. The meeting will be held during the luncheon general session from 12:30-2:00 pm at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

The meeting agenda is as follows:

1. Call to Order
2. Chairman’s Report
3. Treasurer’s Report
4. President’s Report
5. Chapter Awards
6. Nominating Committee Report
7. Election of Officers and Directors
8. Adjournment

Attention all current and incoming SOCAP International Chapter leaders! Mark your calendars for the 2006 Chapter Leadership Forum on Sunday, October 15 from 1:00-5:00 PM at the SOCAP Annual Conference in Toronto. The forum will be held at the TD Canada Trust Tower which is located minutes from the conference hotel. Lunch will be provided at the meeting.

The Chapter Leadership Forum will provide you with valuable information that will help you organize and manage your chapter. It will enable you to exchange ideas about how to grow your chapter and engage chapter members throughout your term of office. And it will help you to set realistic goals and develop the team building skills necessary for your chapter’s success. Finally, the Chapter Leadership Forum will give you the opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions directly with the leadership of SOCAP International.

As a result of your attendance and participation in the 2006 SOCAP International Chapter Leadership Forum you will:

- Learn Best Practices from other SOCAP Chapters on leadership training, program innovation and chapter effectiveness.
- Join in thoughtful dialogue with peers and colleagues during a dedicated leadership forum
- Transform your tentative goals into final goals for your chapter and your year.
- Refine your vision for your chapter’s future, together with SOCAP International.
- Learn more about other leadership opportunities within SOCAP and how to assume a broader leadership role beyond your chapter if you are interested.

To reserve your seat at the Chapter Leadership Forum, please send an email to Azelia Cutts: Azelia@socap.org.

A special thanks goes to the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development for providing the meeting space and lunch for the SOCAP Chapter Leadership Forum. The complete address for the TD Canada Trust Tower is:

TD Canada Trust Tower
161 Bay St., Suite 4040
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1

Space is limited so don’t delay! Register today.

Attention SOCAP chapters! Don’t forget to submit applications for the 2006 Chapter Achievement Awards. The deadline for award applications has been extended to Friday, September 15, 2006.

SOCAP will make awards in four areas: Membership, Chapter Newsletter, Chapter Outstanding Program and Chapter Innovation/Creativity.

Chapter STAR Awards Reminder
Is someone from your chapter a STAR?
Hardworking
Enthusiastic
Dedicated
Supportive
Dependable
Exceptional
Ambitious
These are just a few characteristics of a SOCAP STAR - any individual that has made an outstanding contribution to his/her local SOCAP chapter.
SOCAP will formally recognize the STARS within each chapter during a lunch session at SOCAP's Annual Conference. The deadline for awards applications is Friday, September 15, 2006.
Don't be the only chapter without a STAR!!!

Congratulations go out to the following SOCAP members, who won prizes in a drawing open to respondents in the 2006 Member Needs Assessment Survey:

Joanne Donnelly (Marquis Jet) - $100 American Express Gift Card
Lisa Lehndorff (Hain Celestial Group) - $100 American Express Gift Card
Debbie Henry (Playtex Products, Inc.) - $100 American Express Gift Card
Marilyn Reynolds (Kellogg Company) – iPod

SOCAP conducted the Member Needs Assessment Survey in July 2006. More than 450 SOCAP members completed the survey. Congratulations to our winners!

Q: How Do I Make the Most of My Membership?

A. Value is the greatest benefit of your SOCAP International membership and there are many opportunities for you to become actively involved in the Association and to grow professionally.

The SOCAP value proposition lies in two major areas—education and networking. Whether you attend the Annual Conference or write for CRM Magazine, there are always opportunities for you, as a SOCAP member, to exchange ideas and meet with other consumer affairs professionals.

Here are just some of the specific ways to reap the value of your SOCAP membership and to get involved:

· SOCAP Committees – Choose from a wide variety of Committees to join, including Membership, Publications, Conferences, Chapter Relations, Member Services and more.
· Special Affinity Networking Groups (SANGs) – Connect with peers in Executive and/or the Food & Beverage SANGs and receive 24/7 information and networking professional networking.
· Local Chapters – Become active with a SOCAP Chapter in your region and participate in events and networking forums.
· CRM Magazine – Write articles or submit ideas to SOCAP’s international journal
· SOCAP Conferences – Attend the Spring Symposium or Annual Conference, speak at a breakout session or become an exhibitor.

Best of all, getting involved in SOCAP activities actually helps to increase your visibility in the consumer affairs marketplace! All of SOCAP activities provide an educational component and give you access to the latest trends and ideas to expand your professional knowledge.

To learn how you become active with SOCAP, visit our website and complete our volunteer registration form.

Have a question about your membership? Want to know how to join a SOCAP Committee or a SANG? Need an extra copy of CRM Magazine? Contact the SOCAP staff for assistance. We’re here to serve you!

Office of the President
Major responsibilities: The President manages the day-to-day operations of SOCAP International.

Matthew D’Uva – President - - x10

Education and Publications
Major Responsibilities: This department handles SOCAP’s Member Services, which includes conferences, publications and research. The department also manages the SANGs, product/service development, the SOCAP website, and the Resource Center.

Marjorie Bynum, Director – - x13
Cindy Collins Smith, Publications Coordinator – x 20

Marketing and Membership
Major Responsibilities: This department SOCAP membership recruitment, renewal campaigns, chapter relations activities, and marketing/advertising. The department also manages sponsorships and exhibits for SOCAP conferences.

Azelia Cutts, Director - - x12
Jojuana Lawson-Wilkins, Membership & Conference Assistant –

Administration
Major Responsibilities: This department handles SOCAP membership payments, account receivables, personnel benefits and payroll. The department also processes event registrations and manages the SOCAP database and network.

Jean Dolecki , Director of Administration – -x15
Lygia D’Sa, Assistant Office Manager – - x 0
Ron Leffler, IT Specialist – - x17