President’s Message
New Directions for IACME
As we get going in the new year, I wanted to share with you some of the strategic priorities of the Board of IACME for the coming year. We will be striving to provide new resources and opportunities that will be a direct and tangible benefit to members – we even plan to have a little fun! And we want you to be a part of it.
- More networking opportunities. We hope to have social events in and around the Chicago area where we can get together and share our thoughts, ideas, challenges and more. Stay tuned for an event this spring, as well as a social event following the May meeting. Want to host an event in your area? We can help!
- Volunteer recognition. This organization only works through the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. I’m happy to announce that we will have a new annual award recognizing volunteers that we’ll be presenting for the first time at our May meeting.
- Mentoring program. The membership committee will be developing a new mentoring program, which may range from orienting new members at meetings or friendly phone calls as needed.
- New educational activities. We love our two conferences a year, but we know that there are times when it’s hard to make the trip or additional information on a specific topic would be helpful. We’re hoping to set up a working group to explore the development of short, topic-specific seminars and webinars for members.
- Additional resources. We now have a new web-site, and we intend to use it. We have sent out calls for folks to submit templates and forms for documenting different accreditation criteria. As with the newsletter articles over the last year, we want members to share what works for them. Do you have a template that you think works well? Send it our way!
Get involved! As you can see, opportunities for participating in IACME are taking many forms and we hope you’ll join us:
- Provide a template!
- Host a social event!
- Join a committee or short-term working group!
- Mentor a newcomer!
- Have some fun and connect with new friends and colleagues!
Let us know how you’d like to be a part of IACME’s exciting year ahead by emailing ilalliance@aol.com or feel free to email me directly at rdevivo@asge.org.
IACME ANNUAL NETWORKING EVENT
At the recent Alliance for CME conference in San Francisco, IACME members and guests attended our Annual Networking event at Anabelle’s Bistro where they enjoyed a variety of drinks, appetizers and fellowship with other IACME members. After the reception, guests walked to a post-reception at Barbara Huffman’s, the Alliance President, suite.
Members, if you know any colleagues, associates and/or friends, who are non-members of IACME, please, invite them to attend upcoming networking events with you and see what the IACME is all about!
NEW FEATURE: IACME Spotlight
Each issue the IACME will spotlight a committee or other various projects to give you, our members, an in-depth look at the work of our committees and keep you informed about upcoming activities of the IACME. We encourage you to volunteer and join a committee by e-mailing the Chair!
Spotlight: IACME Communications Committee
Sigita Wolfe (swolfe@silvercross.org), Chair
In review of the previous year, the Communications Committee is pleased having contributed to several IACME projects: redesigning IACME website, creating IACME group on a professional social media network, LinkedIn, and coordinating e-Newsletter production.
I am proud to share that IACME website almost doubled its visitor base since the completion of the redesign. Further, we see spikes in website activity with publishing of the new content, and around IACME event time, which is a meaningful message to us as a committee and as an organization - we are creating value for our members.
Since its inception a year ago, the IACME LinkedIn Group attracted 56 members, which compose about a third of IACME member base. While new, the IACME LinkedIn Page is a very exciting and promising venture, providing an opportunity for online member collaboration and networking.
Just recently, we conducted a survey of our e-Newsletter, and yet again, I am pleased to share that most of the members find it valuable and prefer to continue on receiving it on a monthly basis. It also confirmed that members are interested in case studies relevant to the accreditation process. On this note, throughout 2011, the Communications Committee will strive to bring you quarterly cases that address both, national and intrastate accreditation/re-accreditation processes. As usual, discussion will carry over to the IACME LinkedIn Page.
While we, the Communications Committee, are working hard to facilitate member needs and to create opportunities for networking and collaboration, first and foremost, we rely on you, IACME members, for continuing success. Share feedback, submit case abstracts, post discussion threads, generate ideas - we are open to listening to you and excited to continue facilitating your professional development.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!
IACME Annual Conference
May 20, 2010
Please hold the date! The IACME Annual Conference will take place on May 20, 2011 at the Metropolis Theatre in Arlington Heights. Additional details will be coming soon!
GOING GREEN
Do you have ideas on how to “Go Green CME!” Please e-maililalliance@aol.com or join the discussion on LinkedIn. Go to: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1903150&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr
Note: Our Case Studies and Discussions will return in the March 2011 Edition of the Newsletter!
We invite you to take the time to answer one or all of these questions from the January case submission for yourself or on the IACME LinkedIn Discussion group, http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=1903150.
This case will be posted as a fresh discussion for you to join now. Tune in next month for our provider’s answers as to how they developed an activity based on the above information!
