PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - July 2010

Greetings,

I grew up in the South and the West, regions where basements can’t be found. When I moved to Missouri, I viewed the basement of my house as a storage area for all the stuff that needed to be pitched but I just couldn’t part with it.

My view was tested recently when a water main break spilled into the streets, filled the storm sewers and backed up into our basement. I’m talking muddy water almost a foot deep, a mess and heartache that I wish on no one. Fortunately, the water company responded quickly sending in restoration troops to help ease the burden.

But it did confirm my theory on basements. While some sentimental items were damaged, most of what was stored could be trashed.

OK, there’s a point to this story. I related this to my work, looking at my basement that was filled with stuff that needed to be trashed. After all, we’ve reached the halfway mark of a challenging year, perhaps one of the most difficult most of us will see in our careers.

I’m trying to clean my professional house and determine what new methods, markets or relationships will best serve me in this new economy.  I invite you to join me. As an example, I discovered something else in my homeowner’s adventure this week – the water company, through excellence in service and timing, turned a personal disaster into a business bonanza.  Yes, I have a new found respect and admiration for Missouri American Water.

Put this in perspective with your existing clients, as well as new clients that remain tentative as you try to build a relationship. Creative thoughts and new methods combined with old-fashioned know-how may be the clean sweep needed to put your basement in order.

It’s apropos to welcome two new members: Tiffany Wild, Paragon Certified Restoration and Ellen Reid, Reid Case Group. They no doubt want to extend their networks so please assist them in creating value for their CREW membership. 

If you know a former CREW member, let them know about our new policy that makes it easier to rejoin our group. Look for it soon on our Web site.

The value of CREW was on display at the 13th Annual CREW-St. Louis Golf Tournament, our signature event that benefits Safe Connections. What a hot success both literally and figuratively.

Our golfers and diners survived the near record high temperature. Then again, there’s no better place to play golf in the heat then Forest Hills with its scenic beauty and generous shade. The iced towels brought by our Beverage Cart Sponsors – Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, Polsinelli Shughart and Cassidy Turley – and the “hard” Arnold Palmers served by US Title at the Watering Hole boosted our playing prowess and most definitely our spirits.  The delicious dinner and cooling beverages, combined with our guests’ lively bidding on the silent and oral auctions, provided a fitting end to a great day.  Thank you to all who played, sponsored, donated, supplied, dined, volunteered, bid and otherwise assisted in allowing CREW-St. Louis to once again support Safe Connections.

Special thanks to Colleen West of West Contracting and Kristy Siebert of Commerce Bank.  They are champions at organizing the event. Their committee and crew of volunteers were equally outstanding! 

I recently received my 2010 CREWNetwork Directory. It’s pretty boring, isn’t it, especially compared to CREWBiz?  As a reminder, CREWNetwork is running a contest for CREWBiz, a fabulous networking tool that allows you to create professional profiles to promote your expertise. The first chapter with 90% of their members to sign up, complete their bios and insert their pictures wins a free entry to the National Convention in San Francisco. While that’s a nice incentive, isn’t having a great new benefit to enhance the value of your membership even more rewarding?

Review the St. Louis members who have completed their CREWBiz entries. You’ll quickly realize that their entries showcase their talents and expertise, critical information in determining members that you may want as business partners. CREWBiz is a great way to step up your CREW membership to the next level.

I also look forward to our upcoming program on Missouri Tax Credits. My firm has specialized in designing family and senior residential projects funded with tax credits for more than 20 years.  But I’m cleaning up the basement, looking for new information and ideas to combine with our old-fashioned know-how, to help build our business. I hope to see you at the Chase Park Plaza for this program.

Nancy Rodney
CREW-St. Louis Chapter President