“Weathering the Financial Storm - Building a Sustainable Organization”

by Gayle Lopez, President, 2010 

[ This message was presented at our annual meeting on 12/7/2009 ] 

Dear ChemPharma® Professional Association members, prospective members, and visitors: 

I would like to share with you a startling statistic.  Global GDP is forecast to decline 2.4% in 2009.  This would be the first such decline since World War II.  Despite this decline, the consensus is that the recession has ended.

If the recession has ended, how long before we see economic recovery and job growth?  When will things return to “normal”?  Or, better yet, what is the “new normal”?

In today’s new economy, the ChemPharma Association’s mantra “We network for success!” has never been more relevant.  Studies show that the average tenure for senior level professionals is two  years.  It is also often cited that up to 85% of these jobs are found through networking.  So, as a senior professional, you can try to develop a network every two years or you can develop and nurture your network continuously.  Which do you think is the better path?

Businesses that have weathered this economic storm are now facing the following question – what will it take to grow and be a sustainable organization in this new economy?   The issues of growth and sustainability also face the ChemPharma® Professional Association.  As we enter our 2^nd decade of existence, we will focus on redefining our value proposition to meet the needs of our diverse membership, so we are viable and vibrant for decades to come.

ChemPharma members understand the importance of continuously developing and nurturing networks, whether they are employed, unemployed, under-employed or self-employed.  The ChemPharma Professional Association would not be what it is today without member volunteers.  Our Board of Trustees is composed of a group of individuals that have volunteered to lead the organization in 2010:   

• Jon Burgess - Governance

• Pro Chaudhuri - Secretary

• Lee Diestelow – Membership Retention 

• Mike Friesema – Chicago Chapter Chair 

• Christine McDade* - New Membership 

• Joe Pona* - Alliances 

• David Schwartz* - Events Chair 

• Debra Sesholtz* - Marketing Chair 

• Thomas M. Smith – Philly Chapter Chair 

• Tom Smith – Vice President 

• Craig Sungail – DE Chapter Chair 

• Joe Tait – Website Chair 

• Jim Vance* - Treasurer

Please join me in thanking them for their commitment.  With the on-going contributions of ChemPharma members I am confident that we will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our members.  So I challenge you, how can you contribute to our organization?  Reach out to one of us, let us know.  We look forward to hearing from you. 

Thank you and good networking.

Gayle S. Lopez
President
ChemPharma® Professional Association