Updates about Central Federation

Greetings from Central CHRIE!  As the colors are changing here in Southwest Michigan, I look back on all the great things Central CHRIE has recently accomplished, and look forward to all the great events we have planned for this academic year.  It has been a productive year already with several accomplishments.  First and most important, we had an election in Providence and every board position is filled with active involved members!  This is so important as we grow membership in our Federation.  Having a great variety of events is also important to keep current members engaged, as well as attract new and potential members.  Central Federation comprises a large geographic area, stretching from Ohio to Oklahoma, and from North Dakota down to Arkansas, and our board members are from a variety of areas which also helps with our growth.  It is my pleasure to announce our 2012-13 slate of officers.

I would like to thank all the board members who remain on the board for their continued service, and I welcome all the new board members elected in Providence.  Central CHRIE continues to be led by Chris Woodruff of Lake Michigan College serving as President.  Tom Maier of DePaul University moved from Treasurer, and was elected Vice-President.  Thank you, Tom, for being willing to make this move.  Betsy Pudliner of Eastern Illinois University was elected as Secretary, and Tierney Orfgen of Eastern Michigan University was elected Treasurer.  Thank you, Lan Li, of Northern Illinois University for serving as Secretary and helping guide us through all our leadership changes.  Many changes were also made to our Director positions.  Mary Hunt of Lexington University continues to serve as Director of Networking.  Director of Industry Services remains under the leadership of John Niser from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne.  Our Director of Research position was vacant, and congratulations to Martha Coussement also from IUPUFW for being elected.  For Director of Membership, Tom Schrier of Iowa State University was elected.  Nick Thomas from DePaul University stays on as Director of Education.

Finally Bob Bosselman from Iowa State University is serving as our Immediate Past President for the third year in a row!  A very special THANK YOU to Bob for all he has done from getting our Federation started, and guiding us since the beginning to keeping us a strong unit through some trying times.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

We are very fortunate to have many members of our Federation serve in leadership positions in ICHRIE—Chris Roberts from DePaul University, Stephanie Hein from Missouri State University, Alan Tuttle from Marriott International, Godwin Charles Ogbeide from University of Arkansas Fayetteville, and Susan Gregory from Eastern Michigan University.  It is so nice to have so many ICHRIE officers in our own Federation for guidance and support.  Also many states have their own CHRIE chapters and boards in which many other leaders in Hospitality Education serve in leadership capacities.

Events already confirmed for this year include the Great lakes Research Symposium which will be held on February 22 and 23, 2013 in Grand Rapids Michigan, and next year’s ICHRIE Conference which is being held in St. Louis and hosted by Missouri State University, on July 23-27, 2013.  Other planned events include Illinois CHRIE hosting a Career Fair for the schools in the Illinois region on January 25, 2013.  Missouri State University will host the ICHRIE Central Federation Research Symposium is slated for April 19 & 20 at Missouri State.  This conference focuses on undergraduate research, and it was announced that all undergraduate presenters will have their conference registration fee paid for by a grant!  DePaul University will host the US Central Research symposium before the NRA Show on May 17th which will focus on faculty research and professional development.  That same weekend US Central will host the Alligator Hour at the Union League Club in conjunction with the NRA show, hosted by US Central.  And finally we are so proud to be the host Federation for next year’s conference in St. Louis.  We are already working hard to provide a variety of fun and educational events for all ICHRIE members in attendance.  Stay tuned as these events become finalized.

Please communicate to Central CHRIE officers as soon as you know the specifics for other events for the next 12 months so we can publicize them and help get the word out of the great mix of events that are offered in Central CHRIE states.

Getting chapters involved and active remains a challenge. Many state level CHRIE chapters have dissolved in the past few years.  Despite these situations, the strength of the Federation lies in the individuals who are able and willing to step up to make a difference. Increasing our membership numbers is always a challenge.  This year we are looking at ways to increase secondary, and two year school individual and institutional memberships, and each member is being asked to assist in this goal.  We all know that with all of us being asked to do more with less in today’s academic climate it is often difficult, if not impossible to assist your professional association, as such service carries little or no reward for the individual in their academic career. We are therefore asking for all department chairs, directors, and deans to support ICHRIE membership for ALL their faculty, and to encourage ACTIVE participation in Central and/or ICHRIE activities.
 
Central Federation has done an excellent job of getting its members to renew their ICHRIE membership, and thus, this keeps the Central Federation strong. With the success of its members winning ICHRIE elections, the research conferences, and other events by the Michigan members, Illinois CHRIE, and KOMA CHRIE, and our current strong leadership, are all proof that good things happen when people work together in a common cause.

Central Federation has a strong future ahead. There are many great secondary, two year and four year schools with outstanding faculty who can get involved and make a difference. I look forward to continuing to lead our Federation, and to our continued success.