Report to the NSPE Board of Directors

Report to the NSPE Board of Directors

State Society Executives Council

Mary Detloff, CAE, President

January 2007

The State Society Executives Council (SSEC) and many NSPE staff members participated in a partnership retreat in Alexandria December 1-3. Facilitated by consultant Jim DeLizia, the approximately 40 SSEC and NSPE staff participants discussed many organizational issues and goals that must be met in order for the entire NSPE organization to achieve the goal we all agreed to: provide value to members through a seamless delivery system. The groundwork was laid for a positive, productive partnership. A small group of three NSPE staff and three SSEC representatives has been created to work with Jim DeLizia on creating what will become the partnership agreement between NSPE and the state organizations. In addition, design teams are in the process of forming that will focus on eight major organizational areas. Each design team will consist of appropriate NSPE staff and interested SSEC representatives. Our goal is to have an outline of policies and procedures, protocols and other necessary business tools created and in place by March 31, 2007 for full implementation of the partnership. The groundwork that has already been laid, however, is already being implemented.

Members of SSEC appreciate the expertise and professional opinions of the NSPE staff. We encourage all levels of NSPE - staff and volunteer leaders alike - to each consult the other when considering a new or modified program, product or service. As an example, several NSPE staff and SSEC representatives met for a day prior to the December retreat to outline policies and procedures for administrative programs (how data should be processed, what format is needed, expected time necessary to complete a request, etc.). This same group also outlined a process through which any proposed new or modified program should pass through to ensure that the resources are available (staff, financial, etc.) to meet the needs of this new program and to ensure that the new or modified program is relevant and helps to achieve a goal or objective of NSPE’s strategic plan.

There are still ongoing issues with NetForum, data accuracy, invoice accuracy and billing concerns that states continue to address with appropriate NSPE staff. While these issues are slowly improving, there remains a great deal of ground to cover before we reach a level of accuracy that all staff and members are comfortable with. Several additional states are considering doing their own state invoicing because of these ongoing issues. SSEC will continue to work with NSPE staff to resolve concerns.

Together, NSPE and SSEC have taken positive steps toward rejuvenating a working partnership that is critical if we are to be a viable, relevant organization that provides value to members. There is still much work to do, but we are optimistic that we can achieve this goal.