Parting Thoughts from 2005-2006 Southern Region Co-Chairs.
From Dan Alldredge and Tammie Addison

Thanks for an exciting year of putting our new region into action. We appreciate everyone - staff, international, regional and chapter leaders for participating and working with us even while we worked through the logistics of starting a new organization, testing the bylaws, and working on succession planning this year.

We recognized each of our board members at the mid winter board meeting and awarded Betsy Pasley, ABC, with our member of the year award. But, we wanted to make sure we took one more opportunity to say thank you to the entire 2005-2006 Southern Region board. You all did an incredible job and developed valuable programs that will continue into the region's future.

It has been a pleasure to watch this region grow and begin operating from a blank slate. Several of us worked on the transition team for more than a year before regionalization took effect and we couldn't have asked for a more satisfying experience watching this particular group of people come together to work out all of the kinks this year and set a firm foundation for our region to be a valuable part of IABC. We leave you now in the very capable hands of your new chair, Lynn Zimmerman, and look forward to continuing to work with all of you in our year as past chairs.

Top Ten 2005/2006 Southern Region Accomplishments

1. Completed integration of D5 and D2 under International regionalization initiative.
- Identified programs and processes to improve or consolidate
- Finalized committee appointments and region staffing to serve delegates and members in much larger service area
- Conducted personal calling campaign to chapter presidents to engage and inform
- Participated in Council of Regions to drive feedback from delegates and board to International Executive Board

2. Launched Chapter Service Director (CSD) tool kit and chapter visit program to give chapters a voice in the Region. The Region's talented CSDs visited six chapters in four states and are planning an additional two to three visits in the last half of 2006.

3. Established travel and special grant program to target leader development and chapter growth with over $14,000 in grants approved and disbursed benefiting more than 40 IABC leaders.

4. Launched new Southern Region Web site to help connect the Region.

5. Held first Southern Region leader development program at the 2005 Region Conference, which was attended by 70 percent of our delegates.

6. Created and managed the Hurricane Katrina Relief fund for IABC. The region raised over $6,500 for the New Orleans chapter and its members exceeding the original goal by 30 percent. The fund served as a vehicle for the entire IABC organization to care for our members during the disaster.

7. Held first Conference and Silver Quill program under Southern Region. Conference attracted 140 communication professionals and made a solid net profit of $18,000, split evenly between the host chapter and the Southern Region.

8. Assisted select at-risk chapters with their revitalization and growth plans.
- Central Florida went from completely inactive chapter to established board and monthly meetings. Board is in place with enthusiastic leadership and short- and long-term goals.
- Memphis was a struggling chapter, but now has a full board and a CSD has been assigned to assist in future strategic planning.
- When the New Orleans chapter faced the Hurricane Katrina, efforts ramped up to keep chapter going and assist members for continued presence in New Orleans to extent possible - above and beyond the relief fund described above.

9. Conducted a communication survey with delegates to gather direct feedback on the Region and use findings for future planning/programs. From the approximate 67 percent chapter leader response rate, we learned a few summary points:
- Overall, almost 75 percent feel they receive enough support from the Southern Region.
- More than 90 percent feel that their chapter benefits by leaders participating in regional activities.
- Chapter leaders would most like to see best practices, speaker ideas and news on region-specific services on the IABC Southern Region Web site.
- They prefer to receive information on the Southern Region via e0nail and on the Web site.

10. Developed and maintained strong oversight on Region finances.
- Transitioned to calendar-year budget to better manage revenue streams
- Focused budget and financial drivers on developing leaders and growing chapters -
Passed 2006 budget