Do you or your board volunteers stammer when someone says, “Tell me about your organization?” Telltale signs are avoiding eye contact by staring at the floor and starting the reply with “Ummm.” Describing the association should be straight forward and succinct. It ought to be expressed with confidence. Three Words Some associations have identified just three words to describe their organizations. These words are the platform for communicating with impact a message that grabs the attention of the [...]

Local government is important because it's more accessible and less partisan than state or national elected offices, according to October's speaker Patti Hamilton, CAE, of Imagine, LLC.  "Potholes aren't partisan." Leadership is an activity, not a position, she said.  Hamilton urged you to let your elected officials know your problems, your ideas and you needs. Elected officials at the county level are county commissioners, county clerks, circuit clerks, sheriffs, assessors and prosecuting attorneys.

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin shared information on the work her administration is doing in Charleston to build on the work of the past.  "Previous mayors did some great things and we're trying to connect those achievements into something new," she said.  "We're working on building relationships." Goodwin said the issues facing Charleston are also facing other cities across the country, regardless of size.  She talked about the work being done to enhance the paving and quality of roads [...]

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) invited WVSAE members to spend a day learning what our employees actually do while they're serving our country as members of the military.   Representatives from WVSAE included, from left: WVSAE Executive Director Diane Slaughter, CAE, APR, Fellow PRSA; WVSAE Secretary Lori Miller Smith, IOGA West Virginia; Kathleen Ward, Marriott Town Center Hotel; Patti Hamilton, CAE, Imagine LLC; and WVSAE President Jonathan Adler, WV Association of [...]

Your 2019 Board of Directors met on August 19 to discuss plans for the remainder of this year and moving forward into 2020.  Full details will be forthcoming, but please know there are even more exciting plans on the horizon for WVSAE, including opportunities for leadership service and for contributing to our community.  We thank Robin Hildebrand of Adventures on the Gorge for her hospitality and for providing great weather!   Those attending included, from left: Treasurer Patty [...]

Bob Anderson, who served the South Charleston community for more than five decades, died Saturday afternoon. Anderson, who was widely known for his "Every day is Christmas" mantra, retired in 2018 after 50 years of public service.  He had been a member of WVSAE for many years. For years Anderson, a graduate of South Charleston High School, worked tirelessly promoting South Charleston and helped organize event like the city's annual Summerfest, Christmas parade and Armed Forces Day parade. [...]

Congratulations to Pam Farris for being named one of West Virginia Executive’s (WVE) Class of 2019 “Sharp Shooters.” Sharp Shooters are West Virginians over the age of 43 who are all-stars in their respective fields and represent what is great about the past and exciting about the future of the Mountain State.  Because WVE receives so many nominations each year, it has created a strict set of criteria to ensure the honorees are the cream of the crop.  [...]

"I didn't know what to expect," said Justice Tim Armstead, when speaking about his appointment and subsequent election to a seat on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals during remarks made at the June WVSAE meeting at the Marriott Town Center Hotel. The worst thing he found was the loss of trust in the Supreme Court, but he said, "We're coming out the other side now, being more open and responsive." Armstead said the justices asked themselves, [...]

The Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center has received several accolades by Charleston Area Alliance and American Institute of Architects - West Virgina following the completion of the recent $100 Million expansion and renovation project at the facility. Charleston Area Alliance recognized the facility with the “Best New Development Award” during it’s 12th annual “We Love Our Community” Awards Program. These annual awards recognize persons and organizations that make the Charleston area a great place to live, work and [...]

The Collective Voice of Associations in West Virginia Rooms – Roseshalla Holmes, Four Points by Sheraton Discounted price offered for 10 or more sleeping rooms on peak night Attrition and Cancellation Clauses Courtesy block; no attrition and no more than 20 sleeping rooms on peak night Space – Cindi Napier, The Greenbrier FUN! Be Flexible Be Upfront Be Nice Space – Kim Lapana, Lakeview Resort Having your Conference on a Football Weekend in a College Town Sunday through [...]