Before activities for the chapter get underway for 2012, let’s pause to celebrate the NBMBAA Milwaukee’s accomplishments from the past year. And they numbered many… 

Since all good planning begins with an assessment of where you’ve been, that’s just how the Chapter Executive Board began the year – with a strategic planning session. Training consultant Gladis Benavides, Benavides Enterprises, Inc. (and chapter member), led the CEB team through a planning session that ended with their renewed commitment to providing the membership with high quality opportunities for networking and professional growth.

There was no looking back as the chapter executed and delivered programs, held general membership meetings, awarded $2,000 in an educational scholarship and held professional development programs with existing and new partners. The First Annual Leaders of Tomorrow Ebony Linen Fundraiser Cruise was held aboard the Edelweiss where we enjoyed jazz while selling the Milwaukee River. We reconnected with organizational partners like the Wisconsin Fresh Coast Consortium and Cardinal Stritch University, and welcomed new partners like DeVry University and Direct Supply.  

In October nearly 20 chapter members attended the Annual NBMBAA National Conference: PowerUP Your Profit-Ability in Atlanta, Georgia. By the end of the national membership meeting we all had one goal on our minds – to be named Chapter of the Year at the 2012 conference! Those members attending the conference decided our time has come; our time is now to receive more national recognition.

The year culminated with the passing of the torch from President Carla Washington to the newly elected President Jerrilynn Freelon and her Chapter Executive Board and a holiday networking social.