Past SME Newsletters
July 2011 President's Message
July 1 marks the beginning a new fiscal year for Sales and Marketing Executives… A new year which holds great promise for our organization! Our membership and equity is strong. Our philanthropic association with both Youth Business Adventure and Pi Sigma Epsilon is strong. And, we have planned an exceptional year of promoting Professional Development, networking opportunities and, of course, fun!
Great Leadership has positioned SME for the successes we hold. It is abundantly clear that our organization has a solid group of leaders who are dedicated to ensure Sales/Marketing excellence. A sincere “thank you” to our past President, Doug Erickson for his years of service on the Board! And on behalf of our Membership, a resounding thanks to our Executive Director, Sue Ford. Sue’s dedication to SME is beyond a “job”…it is a passion!
SME starts our new year off with an outstanding event….the Golf JAM (join a member) and Business Fun Tour----all on August 16th. I encourage you to get your team in place with at least one new prospective member. Not a golfer?? Sign up for the Business Fun Tour. Don’t miss this day of networking and fun.
SME Sioux Falls is privileged to be one of the largest of organizations (of its type) in the country. Why? Because of you! Our organization holds some of the most talented and innovative sales and marketers with our community. I urge you all to take advantage of your membership is every way.
See you at the Golf JAM…..
Regards
Elizabeth
SME Elects New Board of Directors
Sioux Falls, S.D. – June 29, 2011 The Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of (SME) Sioux Falls announce election of their Board of Directors beginning July 1st.
Serving as President is Elizabeth Mendelson of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield; President Elect is Kevin Jergenson of Century Business Products, First Vice President is Karen Weith of State Farm Insurance, Second Vice President is George Roberts of Simplified Wealth Management, Treasurer is Cindy Tverberg of Agan Drywall Supply; Past President will be Doug Erickson of Key Staffing; and Directors at Large include: Cheryl Dodd of US Bank, Jared Ducommun of Midcontinent Communications; Bill Carney of Pella Company, Shelly Johnson of Lawrence & Schiller, Tom Johnson of Karl’s TV; Dean Karsky of Dean Karsky Insurance; Rob Sevold of Business Microvar Diane Mulloy of CorTrust Bank and Jeff Gould of the Care Group.
SME Sioux Falls was established in 1960 as a non profit organization whose mission is to advance the personal and professional growth of executives in sales and marketing management through the interchange of ideas, educational opportunities and the fostering of fellowship among members.
Sales and Marketing Executives Inc. of Sioux Falls (SME) is a professional association dedicated to sales and marketing excellence. SME offers professional growth, education and networking opportunities for members and supports youth education through scholarship programs to encourage students to pursue sales and marketing careers. SME members include CEOs, marketing managers, sales managers and other senior executives who contribute to the advancement of sales and marketing management. More information about Sales and Marketing Executives is available at www.smesiouxfalls.org.
SME SEEKS GOLF JAM EVENT SPONSORSHIPS
Sioux Falls, S.D. – June 17, 2011—Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls is seeking sponsorship and prize commitments for the SME Golf JAM/Business Fun Tour event, August 16, 2011, at Bakker Crossing. The SME Golf JAM (Join A Member) event encourages SME Members to invite membership qualified guests to join their teams and help them win cash and prizes for an afternoon of golf (18 holes and a cart).
The SME Golf JAM is selling 3 types of sponsorships:
Hole In One sponsorship (cost is $250) which allows you to market on the hole and display the Hole In One prize that you are offering. SME will provide the hole sign with your company name or logo on it.
Hole sponsorships (cost is $100) allows you to market on the hole and SME will provide a hole sign with your company name or logo on it.
Event sponsorship (cost is $50) SME will provide a sign by the club house that states you have sponsored our event.
The Business Fun Tour side of the day is for those non golfers who would like to network with other business leaders, take a tour around Sioux Falls and find out about business development and stop at four business locations for an in-depth tour, plus participate in a game along the way for a grand prize of a $250 HD Television.
There are 4 sponsorships (cost is $250) to get the group to stop and see their business. Join us and host a group stop on the Business Fun Tour.
This year we will be supporting an SME Member who has cancer and is fighting a battle now to recover with Mulligan sales and or donations.
Contact: Kyle Ruhland Committee Chair at 605.335.7367 or kyler@cbp-sd.com.
May / June 2011 President's Message
Greetings from Doug Erickson, your 2010-2011 SME Sioux Falls President. April and May were very busy months so here is a quick recap. I would like to thank Stephanie Jurgens, the Chair of the Women in Business and her committee for all the work they did to make our SME signature event a huge success. Betty Anne Waters shared an incredible story of determination and persistence to prove her brothers innocence and exoneration.
At our April monthly meeting Larry Johnson shared his straight, honest and no nonsense communication style. Larry showed how to enhance your leadership skills by his direct approach in communication. A special thanks to our April meeting sponsor First Premier Bank for their continued support of SME. We greatly appreciate it.
On May 17th, our last scheduled membership meeting, we recognized our committees and their leaders who work on SME Sioux Falls throughout the year on Retention, Recruitment, Marketing and Sponsorship. Those leaders are; Sandy Gregg, Tammy Beintema, Ronette DuBois and Rod Carlson. I owe a great amount of thanks to the Board of Directors, Executive Board and Sue Ford our Executive Director for the support they game me as president and the service they gave the organization. A token of our appreciation was presented to each. We also gave a $15,908.64 check from the proceeds of our SME Benefit Auction held each fall to YBA Executive Director Jasper DesLauriers. We awarded three college scholarships one to Tyler Steinkamp in the amount of $3500, one to Andrea Hass in the amount of $1,500 and one to Kaitlyn Hemmingson in the amount of $1,000 and all of these were derived from our SME Benefit Auction.
I would like to welcome the newest members to our organization; Jeremy McBurney, Chad Jutting, Erin Bosch, Sheldon Koski, Kathy Bertsch, Jim Heroux, Rand Wergin, JoEll Braun, Dr. Ashley Pfaff, Charlotte Hofer, Tami Haugen-Lund, Kraig Pomrenke, Deb McIsaac, Mary Olinger (Emeritus) and Amy Hoback. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to them and make them feel welcome at any of our upcoming meetings and events.
Be sure to mark your calendars for SME NetPlay Picnic on June 28 at McCrossan Boys Ranch from 5pm – 7pm, there will be a tour, rides and food for you and your family at a cost of $6.00 per person. Please consider joining us for this fun event.
Thanks also to David Mays and his team at Blend Interactive for putting together our new SME website, it is very refreshing and will enhance our capabilities for our organization to move forward with the ever changing technology world.
Please remember to recruit new qualified members to SME this summer. When you consider the membership cost of $450 factoring in the meals, speakers, professional development, education, networking, fun and the fact you don’t have to travel far, the Return On Investment is well worth the cost. Please bring your qualified member to our SME Golf outing in August.
I would like to once again thank our entire membership, committee’s, chairs, board of directors and our executive director Sue Ford for all of their efforts to make 2010-2011 a very successful year.
My May/June quote comes from James Dent: “A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.”
Best Regards,
Doug Erickson
May 2011
Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls (SME) announced today that Youth Business Adventure (YBA) was given a check for $15,908.54 at a dinner held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, May17, 2011. The funds for this check were raised through the SME annual youth benefit auction. This year’s check takes the total of money SME has raised for YBA since 2002 to over $163,000.
Pictured left to right: Ron Williamson, YBA Board Member; Jasper DeLauries, YBA Executive Director; Carolyn Matheson, SME Youth Benefit Auction 2010 Chair; Doug Erickson, SME Board President 2010-11.
What is YBA?
Youth Business Adventure is a week-long summer program, sponsored by the SD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, planned and implemented by business people for the purpose of opening the world of South Dakota business opportunities to the state’s young people. Current SD high school juniors are eligible to apply for awards to attend YBA. Because educators influence a large number of students, they are also eligible to attend YBA.
How Can Students learn more?
Students can learn more about YBA from Executive Director, Jasper DeLauries and by contacting her at: SD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, PO Box 190, Pierre, SD 57501-0190, Ph: 800-742-8112, Fax: (605) 224-7198, E-Mail: jasperd@sdchamber.biz .
Who Benefits from YBA?
Employers benefit because future employees are more focused and have a positive “big picture” about business more firmly in mind as they enter the workforce. “YBA…is a vehicle which can reach, influence, recruit, and retain the future leaders of South Dakota. It can be the incubator of a new generation of positive, progressive, involved people who make a difference.” (YBA Executive Summary, a study by Lawrence 7 Schiller, Inc.) Students benefit because they acquire a better understanding of business, where they fit in, and how to gain entry into business and advance their careers. South Dakota benefits because students are made aware of business opportunities that exist in this state.
How Can You Help?
SME Sioux Falls will again be hosting their annual SME Youth Benefit Auction on September 23, 2011 at the C J Callaways in Sioux Falls. REZA the Illusionist has been hired for entertainment after dinner. For tickets and an opportunity to donate auction items, call 605-336-5626.
About Sales & Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls
Sales and Marketing Executives (SME), is an educational and relationship-building forum created for sales and marketing executives and entrepreneurs who seek professional growth experience, leadership skills and peer contact. For more information, visit http://www.smesiouxfalls.org or call 605-336-5626 or email info@smesiouxfalls.org
April 2011
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Greetings from Doug Erickson, your 2010-2011 SME Sioux Falls President.
If April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, then I sure hope we receive a warming trend so they don’t freeze off!! I would like to thank Renea Eidenshink and her committee for the great job they did organizing our SME Sunrise Seminar. Our speaker Gary Guller brought a very inspiring message to us at both the “Leaders Bringing Leaders” luncheon and at our Sunrise Seminar the following morning. Gary told his story of how he lost the use of his arm in a mountaineering accident and had to have it amputated. Not allowing his disability to stand in his way he then lead a group of disabled individuals to Mt Everest Base Camp. Gary’s dream of reaching the Summit and leading this group was not easy as it took over 300 sales calls to get his first sponsor and donation to help pay for this expedition. Along the way Gary and his team inspired others with their determination to never give up in the face of adversity and challenges. Gary told us how as a group, they had to unite and work together to push forward and achieve goals as a team in order to also achieve their individual dreams. He also explained that by looking for the good in others, lending a helping hand and pushing through the barriers we face with determination and integrity true success, satisfaction and achievement are just around the corner. A special thanks to our March meeting sponsor Avera McKennan and our Sunrise Seminar sponsor Dacotah Bank for their continued support of SME. We greatly appreciate it.
I would like to welcome the newest members to our organization; Jeff Derner, Wade Thomas and Mari Ossenfort. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to them and make them feel welcome at any of our upcoming meetings and events.
Be sure to mark your calendars and make your reservation for the April 7th Speed Meet from 5pm – 7pm at the Homewood Suites, and the April 19th Membership Meeting with our speaker Larry Johnson and his topic “Absolute Honesty”.
Remember to get your tickets for the SME Women in Business event with our keynote Speaker Betty Anne Waters on April 26th. This will be a spectacular event and is great way to recognize Administrative Professionals day. Order several tickets to give as gifts to those that work for you, or just treat yourself!
Please consider inviting and recruiting new qualified members to SME. When you consider the membership cost of $450 factoring in the meals, speakers, professional development, education, networking, fun and the fact you don’t have to travel far, the Return On Investment is well worth the cost.
My April quote comes from Mark Twain
“It’s SPRING fever……..You don’t quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
Best Regards,
Doug Erickson