NEW PHOTOS!!!!!
Our October Educational Seminar "Strategic Planning for the Professional Service Firms" was held at the Upper Kirby District Center located at 3015 Richmond Avenue. There were 33 attendees of which 18 were A/E/C firm Principals and Owners and 9 were SDA Houston Members. The program was presented by Mr. Gilbert (Gil) R. Alonzo, Jr. CPA, President and Managing Shareholder of Alonzo, Bacarisse, Irvine, Palmer, P.C. (ABIP) a firm of Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. Gil presented a program on a variety of general business strategies for firms in this world of ecomonic stress. He pointed out ways that firms can plan for their firm's growth in the upcoming months and/or years and pointed out certain tax breaks that firms in the A/E/C community might want to take advantage of in 2008 and 2009. A survey was taken and many comments on the program are as follows: "great job, great presentation and material, provide the speaker with a microphone, keep bringing this level of speaker, great location, very knowledgeable, high marks overall". SDA Houston would like to THANK Mr. Alonzo and his firm for being our presenter (go to Sponsor page for his contact information) as well as for the door prize gifts that were given to two attendees who gave their business cards upon entering the seminar. GREAT JOB!!!
Our first Annual Principal's Breakfast was held at the Courtyard by Marriott on Westpark. There were 35 attendees signed up for the event. The weather turned out to be very rainy but for the 25 that attended it was well received. Mary Roder, President welcomed all the attendees to the event and passed information on about SDA, it's mission and upcoming events. Melissa McLeod, Secretary introduced the speaker and writer Mr. Dwight Edwards. Mr. Edwards spoke on the "Six Pillars of Peak Performance and Extraordinary Living". The program was well received by all and was commented in a survey that it was "very good overall; great program; top this program; keep this quality of speaker; great event; and have more great programs like this one".
Another event that was held by the Membership Committee was at the El Pueblito Restaurant on Richmond Avenue on June 13th. The agenda for this event was "Highlights of National EdSymposium" from members that attended the event in Boston, MA this year. Melissa McLeod, Mary Roder, and Rhonda Holcomb spoke of their experiences at National EdSymposium. We had twelve members attending and one prospective member (Annie Tran with Z Projects) that came to see what SDA Houston Chapter was all about. She walked away saying that she will be turning in her application for membership.
The National EdSymposium08 was held in Boston, MA on May 14 - May 17, 2008. The theme was Engage in Yourself and Engage in Your Profession. It was four days full of Education Seminars in all the different pegs, as well as tours of Boston and installation of the new officers for 2008-2009. The Boston Chapter hosted a party on The Spirit of Boston Dinner Cruise with great food, music, dancing, and door prizes. On Friday, May 16th there was a Awards Luncheon where all the different Chapters were recognized for their achievements in Newsletters, Educational Programs, Networking/Public Awareness Events, Fundraising Projects, and Chapter Websites. At the Celebration Banquet on Saturday, May 17th the Canstruction awards were announced as well as the Installation of New Officers. The speaker at the Celebration Banquet this year was Mike Robbins who spoke on "Focusing on the Good Stuff". He was a great inspirational speaker. There were seven members from Houston that attended this year: Mary Roder, Renate Walker, Melodee Futch, Rhonda Holcomb, Melissa McLeod, Myrna Norman, and Karen Morris. Houston tied with New York on the highest members attending National.
The First Quarter Education Program was held at Heights Venture Architects on April 26, 2008 with thirteen members attending. Our own National President-Elect Melodee Futch presented "Good Leaders are Made, not Born". Susan Meyers with FKP Architects presented "Contracts and Business Law". ElizaBeth Tracy, Marketing Coordinator with PDG Architects presented "Fundamentals in InDesign Software". The programs were well received by all.
The Meet N' Greet was held on April 17th at the beautiful offices of O'Neill Hill and Associates at 9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 3000 overlooking a fantasic view of the city. Donna Rosenberg with O'Neill Hill and Associates coordinated the event with The Don Carlos Catering Company sponsoring the food for the evening. Several members, principals, and guests attended and was given a tour of the offices by James O'Neill and also had a glimpse of the up and coming SDA Houston Chapter Website which was soon to be launched by Mary Roder. Rhonda Holcomb, Vice President and Membership Committee Chair announced the Membership Drive to help increase our Chapter's membership. Brenda Davis and Michelle Burgess (guests of members) received a gift along with Katherine Morgan (member) was awarded a Music Ipod. All that attended had a great time socializing and enjoying the delicious food.