2009 IREM President, Pam Monroe, CPM addresses chapter leaders at the Chapter Leadership Conference in Chicago.

View the photo gallery of this event here.

For three days in late July, the Chapter 16 officers and potential officers attended the IREM National Leadership Conference, which was held at the historic Palmer House in Chicago.  These days were packed with information and meetings for the participants and it was the first Chapter Leadership Conference held on a national basis.  The annual conferences were previously held regionally.  The national platform was chosen for this year in an effort to provide the chapter leaders with as much information as possible, provide them access to a greater number of other chapter leaders and make the most of the IREM Headquarters resources.

The conference offered chapter officers training on how best to perform their various duties – all focused on how to bring value to the IREM Chapter members.  Most importantly, the Leadership Team was able to interact with other chapters from across the count.  The team learned many ideas from other chapters and will be bringing the best ones back to Maryland Chapter 16.  The IREM Headquarters Staff did a fantastic job of coordinating interesting activities based on chapter size and leadership roles – to make sure that the most useful information was provided to the right people.

Session topics included a review of roles and responsibilities for Chapter Presidents and IAEs (IREM Association Executives), an overview of the national resources available to the chapters, the keys to creating effective committees, the importance of working with others and understanding people’s differences, and effective public speaking.  Guest speakers covered important topics facing chapter leaders including how to properly assemble a strategic plan and how to set realistic goals.  In the roundtable discussions, ideas were shared on how to reach out to new members by working with local high schools and colleges and educating property owners on the value IREM has to offer property managers.

During the conference, a lot of emphasis was placed on the IREM Chapter Star Workbook and its importance in providing valuable member services and programs.  The Chapter Star program is a set of guidelines and best practices that defines effective chapter leadership.  Did you know that Maryland Chapter 16 is a Five Star Chapter and is committed to making your IREM experience the best it can be?  Look for further announcements from the chapter leadership on what is in store for 2010.

Please take a few minutes to see all of the conference proceedings by logging onto the IREM National website by clicking here.

View the photo gallery of this event here.