FEI Newsletter May 2009 - Financial Executives International

From
The
President
One of the more interesting aspects of being the Chicago Chapter
President is working with other Chapters and FEI National to ensure
that our members needs are being met. As of this writing, I can assure
you that FEI is in the process of taking a fresh look at how our members
are being served, and the way they are being served. Our new
National President, Marie Hollein (Chicago’s own), has been reaching
out to the FEI community and has instituted major evaluation processes
to take a fresh look at the needs and desires of our members and how
they are being addressed. Stay tuned for further information as the
year unfolds.
However, I am curious as to your ideas about the Chapter. I am mindful
of a quote (source unknown) that says: “If you are not getting better,
you are getting worse.” We need your input to ensure that the Chapter
is meeting your needs. Toward that end, we will be surveying our members
this Spring to get your thoughts on how we can enhance our suite of
services to Chapter members. Specifi cally, we implemented a number of
ideas such as our Power Leadership Breakfast Meetings in several locations
on the same day and New Member Breakfasts with an outside speaker to
supplement our Monthly PD and Dinner Meetings. Did these work for you
and what else should we be doing? That is what we hope to fi nd out in our
Spring survey.
I think that reviewing what you do is a healthy exercise. One organization
that does it repeatedly is the U.S. Military. They perform a hard review of
every completed military exercise with the express purpose of looking at
what worked, what didn’t and how to improve. I think that this is a healthy
process and one that helps us learn and grow. It is for this reason, and the
other aspects of situational leadership, that we set up a breakfast session
on May 12th so you can hear Major Matt Tracy, USMC, talk about the
leadership challenges he faced in Iraq and how he addressed them. How he
took care of the people that were assigned to him should be of particular
interest to us as fi nancial leaders. We hope you join us.
On the 12th of June we are fortunate to have Ann Ziegler, CFO of CDW
Corporation speak at a luncheon on the subject of: “Is the Grass Greener--
Private vs. Public Company CFO.”
You are encouraged to invite prospective members to attend either of these
events at no charge by contacting the FEI Chapter Offi ce to register.
Lastly, special thanks to our Offi cers and Directors for the hard work
they put in this past year. Without the assistance of such dedicated people
we could not provide the level of service and assistance to our members
that we have grown accustomed to. Although I think “it is better to give
than receive” it sure feels great to receive the gifts of our Offi cers and
Directors.
CHICAGO CHAPTER
John Trakselis
FEI Chicago President
In The FEI NEWS
UPDATE ON CAREER MANAGEMENT
GROUP PROJECTS
The FEI Career Management Group Committee has
projects in development to add value to your membership.
Current projects include a CMG “Welcome Package” for
new members, an executive recruiter outreach program,
and the posting of CMG workshop presentations for
online viewing. If you have suggestions for the Career
Management Group, please contact Sharon Walton at
847-291-5727 or swalton@laneind.com.
IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
UP-TO-DATE?
Visit the FEI web site at www.fi nancialexecutives.org and
scroll to the bottom of the home page. Then select “my
account” to review your individual information on fi le
with FEI. Updates can be made online.
THE CAREER MANAGEMENT GROUP
NEEDS YOU!
Are you interested in becoming more involved with FEI and the
Career Management Group? Do you have ideas on how to further
strengthen the Career Management Group? If so, the FEI Career
Management Group needs you!
The FEI Career Management Group Committee is
seeking creative, energetic volunteers to help take the
Career Management Group to the next level. Your
involvement will not only help build a stronger
group, it will also offer YOU the opportunity to
further develop relationships with your peers, make
new contacts, and gain valuable experience.
Current Committee members include: Jason Blake, Larry
Boik, Reid Goodrich, Tom Krajewski, Jim Lenihan,
Bob Linn, James Miranda, Jerry Novotny, and Ron
Zoromski.
If you are interested in joining the Committee,
please contact Sharon Walton at 847-291-5727 or
swalton@laneind.com.
THE CAREER MANAGEMENT GROUP IS
LINKEDIN!
Over 200 job leads have been posted to the Chicago
CMG LinkedIn Group. Join now and get access to
these leads!
NEED FINANCE TALENT?
If you have a need for the best in financial talent,
the FEI Career Management Group offers top-notch
and proven candidates who possess a wide range of
financial skills and are available for project and full
time work. If you have an opening at your company,
please contact the FEI office (Feichi@aol.com) or
Sharon Walton (swalton@laneind.com).
2 - May 2009