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 As memories of the summer season fade, and shorts and T-shirts are traded in for new school clothes, fall is a good time to check our progress towards our annual goals. Here at SIGMA, our board mapped out over twenty goals for the organization in 2007 and 2008. I am happy to report that we are making excellent progress.
Our membership stands at 260—up over 20 from a year ago. SIGMAPAC has raised over $132,000 and is closing in on a record year. Our international study tour planning is progressing well with over 16 people already signed up. The Legislative Conference in Washington this past summer was a huge success with over 220 hill visits and the SIGMA Share Groups have been growing like crazy. SIGMA staff has been reinvigorated with the hiring of several new people who all bring new energy and enthusiasm for our organization. Overall, I have to say that SIGMA gets an A+.
As a member driven organization, these goals could not be realized without the dedicated service of many member companies. My sincere thanks to all of you that volunteer your time—whether it is to serve on the board, a committee, or with a convention event or special project. Our collective effort makes us what we are—a progressive, prosperous, and successful association of fuel marketers that are learning, growing and enjoying life at a higher level thanks to our mutual commitment to SIGMA.
Our board recently held our fall meeting in Niagara on the Lake in Ontario, Canada. It is the second time our board has met in Canada in the past two years. It reminded me that our association has been slowly taking on a more North American character. While our government relations function is closely tied to the happenings in Washington, DC, our association has become home to a growing number of Canadian marketers—five at last count— that see the value in SIGMA beyond the government relations function. If you know a marketer or supplier in Canada that is looking for the education and networking that we offer, please invite them to attend a SIGMA event. Canadian marketers and suppliers are welcome!
Speaking of education… As kids gear up for school and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils permeate the air, SIGMA too is getting into the spirit of the season by providing an excellent learning opportunity at our Annual Meeting in Boston this October. Bring your notebooks and thinking caps—our speakers are certain to enlighten, challenge, and teach you new and exciting things to help your business succeed. Gulf Oil President and CEO Joseph Petrowski; Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO and President of Archer Daniels Midland Company Patricia A. Woertz; and Former Massachusetts House Speaker and WRKO Talk Show Host Thomas M. Finneran are just a handful of the expert speakers presenting in Boston.
My backpack is ready!
See you there…
Paul D. Reid
President, The Reid Group
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