"Like all Instructors coming sometimes from non-English speaking countries, and on behalf of the French Instructors, I would like to express:
- my horror for the slaughtering of so many innocent victims,
- my pain for all Americans and more for all of you who may have lost friends or relatives,
- my solidarity with all of you. The best we can do will be to develop the APICS values we have made ours.
God bless America and the APICS family."
Michel Gavaud, CFPIM, CIRM

There was no need for Mr. Gauvaud to send this note. He received no personal benefit. He sent this only to communicate a shared sense of family with those of us with whom he shares his professional and personal values. It is through this spirit that we seek to grow meaningful and long term relationships with our business associates and our business partners. APICS stresses the value of cooperation for shared benefit. We do this best by building relationships. One opportunity we have is through our association with local professionals who share our interests, challenges, and aspirations.

Because of the postponement of the September PDM (Professional Development Meeting), I cannot be certain that the turnout on the new date will match the reservations total (77 for dinner and 12 additional for just the program) that we had for the originally scheduled meeting. However, if we continue to bring together this many of our associates, we will all benefit from the development of these new relationships. With 260 + professionals and 19 member companies, we have tremendous opportunities to mutually gain from our association.

As we share our experiences, challenge each other to grow, and support one another in our endeavors, the benefits of our society will be felt at a much more profound and deep level than just the delivery of educational material. Each of us are at a different point in our professional journey. That is what is so special about our society. We have 5 specific programs designed to provide formal education to professionals at every point in their career. "Fundamentals of Materials Management" for those just entering the Resource Management field, "AMES" (Advanced Manufacturing Education Series) for continuing internal education for companies, "CPIM" for the professional wanting to gain certification of mastery of the Body of Knowledge, "CIRM" for the contributor ready to take on the added responsibility of management, and most recently the on-line "Advanced Supply Chain Management" for those who need to broaden their scope to include national and international logistical management. There is no other society that I am aware of that has provided so comprehensively for its members' educational needs.

In addition to the educational offerings, we receive "APICS-The Performance Advantage" every month and quarterly the more technically oriented "P & IM Journal." We receive discounts to one of the most comprehensive educational bookstore in the Materials and Resource Management field. Next month we have an opportunity to meet with professionals and nationally renowned speakers from around the world at the International APICS Conference, held this year in San Antonio. Those unable to attend the conference, can receive a copy of the conference proceedings, detailed articles supporting every speaker's presentations, just for the asking. I encourage all of you to take advantage of this invaluable benefit of membership. If only 10% of the sessions are applicable to your business, you will have 15-20 meaningful articles for only the price of membership. Most importantly of all, we have the opportunity to meet monthly 9 times a year with our local associates, and to share all of these benefits with our employees who are new to the field or are ready to move up in our organizations if only they have that extra edge it takes to add extra value.

In the wake of events this September, I will be the first to admit that APICS is not our most important priority. Our God, Our Family, and Our Friends must forever remain as our first concerns. But for support of our career and business development, there is no more effective mechanism than to challenge ourselves to grow and reach out for ways to create mutual benefit, than to take advantage of your society. If you think of ways in which your chapter can better fulfill its mission, please contact anyone on the board or myself. Better yet, see us in person at the next PDM or Plant Tour. For Board Of Director names click here. Bless all of you and I hope to meet all of you several times this coming year. It is my honor and pleasure to be serving you.

Steve Plaster, CPIM
President