Deborah Augustus, CPSM, C.P.M., A.P.P., President
How excited are you that spring is finally upon us? I know I’m very excited for warmer weather, flowers blooming, and sun shining! As we exit the more challenging weather in NJ and look toward our future, I am struck by the other changes before me. For instance, my eldest is thinking/talking about college! How did that happen? My little guy will be leaving elementary school; really? What does all of this have to do with ISM-NJ? Change, change is everywhere. It’s expected and yet we’re still surprised. I point this obvious notion out to you as we at ISM-NJ are faced with more changes coming from ISM Global. You’ll be hearing more about these changes in the coming weeks, but I wanted you to hear it from your board first. I’ll be addressing these changes via a live webinar in the next month and will be sending a letter that will include the link to the recording. Your board is here to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to any one of us to support you during these changes.
As professionals, we are members of ISM-NJ to help build our network and continue learning through monthly breakfast/dinner meetings, webinars, and conferences managed and facilitated by your board members. We celebrate the good in our profession and build one another up. We are roughly 450 strong. We need more of you to bring your co-workers to help us be stronger together. Our Membership Committee has networking events all over NJ looking to introduce ISM-NJ membership benefits to potential new members. We have an Emerging Professional Committee bringing networking to those new to the profession; and our Mentoring Committee supports introductions for Mentees to meet someone to Mentor them and vice versa. These two committees, run by our team of volunteers, are working in support of our mission to make our membership stronger – together. Participate; go to a networking event or dinner meeting. Get involved; volunteer if you can spare a few hours. We do this for you, our members. But we need more of you to bring these ideas to fruition.
What’s the hot topic you are burning to learn more about? Is it something in the digital world? Is AI key to your future? Are you in Supply Chain and have a desire to learn more about Global Trade, Tariffs and Free Trade Agreements? Or are you in procurement supporting Human Resources which makes you want to learn more about labor trends and new ways to identify candidates? Let us know what you want to hear more about; our Program Committee is out there looking for the right topics with the best speakers to bring to ISM-NJ.
Our April breakfast meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2019. We will be taking a tour of the UPS Innovation Center in Parsippany. Come join us to see what UPS is doing! The Supplier Diversity night takes place on Wednesday, May 8th at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany. Be a part of meeting key players in different fields representing diversity at its best! We are also soliciting your nominations for the Crystal Award and Emerging Professional. Is there someone in your organization that represents Supply Chain and moves the function forward? Take time to nominate them; this is the best way to show others in the field how to be better and take part in celebrating our profession.
ISM-NJ is committed to you, our members. With changes coming from ISM Global, we want to hear from you. Stay connected, ask questions, be a part of us in shaping our future. Most importantly, remember we are right beside you, supporting your professional needs. Spring is in the air; dance, sing, learn, be a part of making us the best membership group we can be for you.
To learn more about ISM-New Jersey see our website: https://www.ismnj.org
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