In-Grain - GEAPS

CHAPTER NEWSGiving It Your Best ShotCraig Jakob, Alliance Pest SolutionsNon-ChapterRight now you’re probably wondering what a non-chapter memberis doing writing an article about chapters. Well, I was a member ofseveral GEAPS chapters before movingto an area that unfortunately does notsupport a chapter. However, I havebeen a member of the Chapter ResourceCommittee for a few years and I want todo my part to help our chapters “give ittheir best shot.”I’m a GEAPS Associate memberand have held all the positions fromchapter member and chapter leadershipto Associates board member andleadership. At every level I “gave it mybest shot.” But I also know the feelingof looking into the eyes of three orCraig Jakobfour attendees at a chapter meetingand telling them that this is it—the lastmeeting—and presenting them withthe options of joining a different chapter or becoming a non-chaptermember. Later, I also helped start the chapter again and eventually hadto look the same three or four people in the eye and deliver the badnews all over again. While we didn’t succeed in the way we had hoped,we cared enough to try again. So for those of you that think your chapterChapterCorneris struggling, lift up your chin, get everyone involved and do what youhave to—and “give it your best shot.”I’ve had the advantage of traveling and attending different chaptermeetings and events. We hear all the time that we need more membersand attendees at meetings. There is no secret solution. Look where youhaven’t looked before, like other related industries (peanuts, rice, largefarmers, food processors, etc.). There is a large group of non-chaptermembers with all kinds of talent and some might be just on the fringeof your chapter area. Work with the GEAPS office in Minneapolis toidentify these people and “give it your best shot.”Giving it your best may involve contacting your chapter liaison onthe Chapter Resource Committee and asking for help. I say do it today.You have my pledge that we will do our best. Regular members, Associatemembers and other membership groups: stand tall and proud—thisis GEAPS—and “give it your best shot.”GEAPS will change, chapters will change, and you will change, butif we all “give it our best shot” we will make GEAPS better than whenwe found it.GEAPS Launches Chapter Liability Management PlanIn the interest of GEAPS volunteer chapter leaders and the entire 30-chapter network,GEAPS has launched a chapter liability management plan to address chapter leader concernsabout banking, business and tax related issues. This plan will put protections in place for yourchapter and its leaders and create a uniform business standard for all chapters (Canadianchapters included!). It will also help to limit the collective liability exposure of InternationalGEAPS and chapters by ensuring that all chapters have appropriate legal business and notfor-profitstanding—something that we believe no chapter currently has. Addressing theseissues will enhance the strength of GEAPS’ chapter network by better defining the relationshipand obligations between chapters and the International organization.The components of this plan include chapter incorporation, directors and officersinsurance and applying for tax exempt status. The rollout has already begun with ChapterLeader webinars in April, which will help chapter leaders to understand the existing liabilityconcerns and explain the GEAPS plan to address them. The management plan will be fullyimplemented by June 30, 2011.For questions on what this means for your chapter, contact your chapter leadership.You may also contact Julia Kloehn in the GEAPS office; (952) 928-4640; juliak@geaps.com.10 – GEAPS In-Grain | April 2010www.geaps.com