2008 is officially here and I’m now halfway through my term as 2007-08 President of the Triangle Chapter of the American Marketing Association. I was nervous coming into this position because my predecessors had done so much to grow the chapter in recent years. I wasn’t going to be just following a tough act. I was going to be following a string of tough acts. My biggest fear was not messing up everything they had already accomplished.

As I was planning for the 07-08 year I realized that to continue the growth of the chapter I would have to set ambitious goals. I spent time with the incoming board members, soliciting ideas and communicating my thoughts on the future of the chapter. When the chapter plan was on paper and finalized, I went from nervous to downright frightened. Some of the goals were such a stretch they seemed almost absurd.

At the halfway point of my term I’m no longer nervous. Many of the goals we set are going to be met. Ironically, those goals that seemed most outrageous are the ones we will meet first. Our primary objective as a board is to bring value to our members. We are doing that with strong monthly speakers at our luncheons, more social events than we’ve ever had, and bootcamp and workshop opportunities. We have a record number of sponsors, and more member volunteers than I’ve ever seen serving on committees. The chapter is financially stronger than it has ever been.

If it seems like I’m bragging, it’s because I am. Not about me, but about the 18 people who serve on the board that I am privileged lead. So many things take place every day to make the chapter function at the high level that it does. The board makes all the plans happen, and that’s why we continue to grow and break records for attendance at chapter events.

There are still goals we are working to meet before the end of my term and I am confident that we will achieve them. Now is the time to get involved. When you volunteer, you work with business and community leaders. You become a part of the premier marketing organization in the Triangle and help direct our future. Contact board member Brian Gossett at volunteer@triangleama.org.