2. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
FOREWARD
MESSAGE FROM THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In 2012, the Greater Cincinnati SMPS Board completed the chapter’s inaugural SMPS
Strategic Plan. The 3-year plan has helped build a framework for which our chapter
continues to operate, while serving as an aid in transition planning of chapter leaders,
committee directors and committee members.
To help further the plan, the GCSMPS Strategic Plan was evaluated and revised in 2015
through the collaboration of all board members. Additions were made, achieved goals
were removed and new chapter goals were set for the next phase of the plan. The plan
will continue to serve as a ‘living document’ and should be revisited frequently and
altered as the chapter evolves.
This plan allows our chapter the opportunity to better define who we are and where
we’re going.
The board of directors will continue to serve the chapter and its members while
pushing the boundaries, while keeping our set goals, core purpose and values top of
mind.
2015-16 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Amanda D. Roehl
President
Jennifer Danforth
Programs Director
Amanda Neyer
Membership Director
Jennifer Sebranek
President-Elect
Nikki Marksberry
Education Director
Matt Hoeller
Sponsorship Director
Pamela Roebel
Past-President
Dawn Bardone
Outreach Director
Kristin Brunemann
Secretary
Paridhi Vaid
Treasurer
Megan Miller
Communications
Director
3. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
MISSION
To advocate for, educate, and connect leaders in the building
industry.
VISION
To be the vehicle that validates the practice of marketing
and business development as essential to the success of all
professional service firms.
CORE PURPOSE
To enrich knowledge and advance practices that build business for
professional services firms.
MISSION/VISION
4. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
The Greater Cincinnati SMPS Executive Committee consists the President, President-Elect,
Immediate Past President, Secretary and Treasurer, with the President serving as Chairperson.
This committee is responsible for ensuring the GCSMPS’ Strategic Plan is achieved and the
President will assign goals to a committee member. The committee is also responsible for
guaranteeing that the chapter is effectively functioning, thriving and planning for future growth.
Executive goals over the next
three years:
1. Collaborate with all chapter committees
(Education, Membership, Programs,
Sponsorship, Outreach) recognizing that
the work of committees are essential to the
success of the chapter
2. Improve board effectiveness and leadership
development
3. Ensure the chapter is financially healthy
4. Strengthen our GCSMPS’ relationships with
Headquarters, other chapters, and other
professional organizations
5. Show members value by having a positive
brand and welcoming presence locally and
nationally
6. Make mySMPS.org the GCSMPS’ repository
for all files, history and information.
Overall plan/tactics for Executive:
1. Divide up and have monthly check-ins with
each committee (1)
2. Finalize a chapter policy and procedure
manual (2)
3. Review and update all board and committee
roles (2)
4. Develop an organization chart for the
volunteer structure of the chapter and
update yearly (2)
5. Ensure bylaws are up-to-date and approved
by SMPS headquarters (2)
6. Establish succession plan for each
committee (2)
7. Ensure each event has an established
budget (3)
8. Review budget and compare profit and loss
from year to year (3)
9. Establish a plan to regularly connect with
Headquarters, other chapters and other
professional organizations to strengthen
relationships (4)
10. Have Executive Committee presence at
every chapter event (5)
11. Evaluate by Jan 1 if chapter submits for the
SFE or other recognition programs (5)
12. Manage the mentorship and industry
roundtable groups (5)
13. Regularly check in with committee directors
to ensure information is uploaded to
mySMPS.org (6)
EXECUTIVE
5. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
The Greater Cincinnati SMPS Programs Committee is charged with planning, organizing, and
executing 9+ programs each year. These programs cover all six SMPS Domains of Practice,
timely topics, and client/business development related themes.
Programs goals over the next
three years:
1. To allow adequate planning for monthly
programs, programs occurring in September
– December will be planned by August 31
and programs occurring in January – August
will be planned October 31
2. Plan programs at least 3 months in advance
3. Establish a budget for each program and
review profitability annually
4. Work with all chapter committees to ensure
member value and benefits of programs are
clear
5. Grow average attendance to 60 attendees
per program
6. Increase member interaction with non-
member attendees to increase likelihood of
joining chapter
7. Bring in a prominent/national/renowned
speaker for one program per year
Overall plan/tactics for Programs:
1. Develop two calendar announcement
cards annually with a list of all programs
and events to distribute to prospects and
members
(1, 3, 5)
2. Research and evaluate similar chapters to
get their success stories (1)
3. Review venues annually to help increase
revenue (2)
4. Create deadlines for committee members
to accomplish assigned tasks related to
programs (1, 3)
5. Work with chapter communication and
sponsorship committees to promote
programs across other industry groups (4)
6. Coordinate with other chapters and
organizations to increase attendance (5)
7. Develop speaker guidelines to ensure
member value is clearly emphasized
8. Work with chapter membership committee
to develop a clearly stated value proposition
for attending each program and then
share with communication committee for
distribution (4)
9. Assign committee members to call non-
registered members, personally inviting
them to attend the monthly program (5)
10. Review/research speakers that are known in
the fields/topics chapter wants to see and
engage those who meet the chapter’s goals
and criteria
PROGRAMS
6. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
The Greater Cincinnati SMPS Education Director/Committee is responsible for organizing events
in support of chapter education efforts. These efforts are centered around the Six Domains of
Practice. The chapter holds 4 – 6 events per year, including educational centered programs and
webinars. The Education Committee also supports CPSM certification for chapter members and
coordinates Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for program attendees.
Education goals over the next
three years:
1. Offer a variety of education events, host one
education event per year for technical staff
2. Increase CPSM annually
3. Collaborate with other committees
4. Maximize the offering of Continuing
Education Units
5. Plan events 3 months in advance
6. Broaden speakers to include those outside
the industry and outside our geographic
region
7. Collaborate with other chapters and
professional organizations
8. Create a library of recorded sessions made
available to members
Overall plan/tactics for Education:
1. Create list of facts/reasons to take CPSM
exam and share via communications
channels & monthly programs meeting (2)
2. Create a CPSM study group annually (2)
3. Communicate with other chapters (1, 6, 7,
8)
4. Communicate with other professional
organizations (1, 4, 6, 7, 8)
5. Include deeper content and benefits when
advertising education events across multiple
channels (newsletter, website, social media)
with a variety of styles (videos, memes,
flyers) (3, 5)
6. Develop Speaker Guidelines (3, 5, 6)
EDUCATION
7. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
The Greater Cincinnati SMPS Outreach Committee is charged with planning, organizing, and
executing outreach events each year that bring members and clients together. These events
cover all six SMPS Domains of Practice, support our community/membership, are charitable
organizations and make a difference within our community.
Outreach goals over the next
three years:
1. To allow adequate planning for monthly
programs, programs occurring in September
– December will be planned by August 31
and programs occurring in January – August
will be planned October 31
2. Establish a budget for each outreach event
and review profitability annually
3. Hold one event per quarter, including one
Outreach event
4. Achieve a 30% membership involvement for
the year.
5. Increase member interaction with non-
member attendees to increase likelihood of
joining
Overall plan/tactics for Outreach:
1. Research outreach opportunities annually
(1, 3)
2. Research and evaluate similar chapters to
get their success stories (1, 2)
3. Create deadlines for committee members
to accomplish assigned tasks related to
outreach (1, 3)
4. Personal calls to attend (4)
5. Work with Programs, Education, and
Membership to coordinate events for the
year (1)
6. Coordinate with other chapters and
organizations to increase attendance (5)
7. Work with chapter membership committee
to develop a clearly stated value proposition
for attending each outreach event and then
share with communication committee for
distribution (5)
8. Assign committee members to call non-
registered members, personally inviting
them to attend the monthly program (5)
OUTREACH
8. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
The Greater Cincinnati SMPS Communication Director and Committee are responsible for
promoting the chapter within the community and elevating the chapter’s image via platforms
such as e-communications, social media, media relations and the website.
Communications goals over the
next three years:
1. Develop and execute strategic media
relations and social media strategy with
editorial calendar
2. Enhance communications to reflect
expertise in the industry, setting example
(e-communications, website)
3. Create GCSMPS communications manual for
transition of responsibilities year over year
Overall plan/tactics for
Communications:
1. Develop social media plan with editorial
calendar and ownership for increasing
engagement such as industry trend articles
posted on LinkedIn and Facebook (1)
2. Establish contact with media and secure
participation in at least one program/event
(1)
3. Upgrade eblasts to make more reader
friendly (2)
4. Scrub contact database and reach out to
firms where people have left to find new
contacts (2)
5. Provide links to mySMPS whenever possible
(2)
6. Monitor and report on e-communications
analytics to make necessary adjustments (1)
7. Review content enhancement options
within StarChapter to improve overall look
and feel of site (may require additional
design involvement from StarChapter) (2)
8. Develop editorial calendar for website
updates including banner images, job
posting reviews, calendars, etc. (2)
9. As part of calendar upgrade, work with
partnering organizations to have them
cross-promote our events. Find ways to
track success (2)
10. Identify the most relevant newsletter
content and identify new options like “What
Has SMPS Done For Me Lately? – GCSMPS
Success Stories from Members” (2)
COMMUNICATIONS
9. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
The Greater Cincinnati SMPS Membership Director and Committee are charged with recruitment
and retention of our members. Membership in SMPS has been on the decline and SMPS
National has challenged each chapter to find ways to demonstrate increased value of SMPS
membership to members, non-member participants, and employers. Over the next three years,
the Greater Cincinnati Chapter will make member recruitment and retention a top priority.
Membership goals over the next
three years:
1. Increase Membership Engagement
2. No net loss of members
3. More actively engage new members within
their first year
4. Annually analyze and evaluate the needs of
the members
5. Provide one member event per quarter
6. Provide structured member/non-member
interactions through opportunities at events
hosted throughout the year
Overall plan/tactics for
Membership:
Nonmembers:
1. Actively reach out to non-members who
have attended 3+ programs in the calendar
year.
a. Star Chapter report can tell how many
times a person has registered for events
b. Show amount / value they could have
saved by being a member
2. Host a yearly membership drive to recruit
nonmembers
a. Maybe offer existing members a discount
at future program if they bring a prospect
to an event and prospect joins
b. Utilize Headquarters for membership
resources, including membership drive
3. Provide list of what other AEC firms are
members
New Members:
1. Connect with new members within
3 months of them joining to see how
membership is going
2. Actively recruit new members to join a
committee
a. Provide them a list of committees:
information on each, positions, time
commitment involved, etc.
3. New member nametags at all event for a
full program (or calendar?) year after they
have joined so easy to identify and welcome
new members
a. Partner with Programs to ensure new
members are recognized / connected
more at programs
4. Create icebreaker events to promote
networking/connections prior to start of
Programs
Existing Members:
1. Call / email members who have not attended
more than 3 programs in the last year to
encourage their attendance at events
2. Ensure they are aware of the 3 month
membership extension if they recruit a new
member
MEMBERSHIP
10. GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
The Greater Cincinnati SMPS Sponsorship Director/Committee is responsible for securing
annual and event sponsors to offset the cost of holding luncheon programs and events.
Sponsorship goals over the next
three years:
1. Have at least one sponsor for each monthly
program
2. Widen sponsorship base
3. Improve sponsor recognition
4. Streamline sponsorship asks for all
programs and events
5. Coordinate sponsorship with programs,
education and communication committees
6. Create a variety of sponsorship levels
Overall plan/tactics for
Sponsorship:
1. Board will provide 2-3 names that are
outside current sponsors at the beginning of
the year (2)
2. Use list of programs/topics to help create
sponsorship target list (4, 5)
3. Contact potential sponsors prior to firms
setting their budgets (1, 2, 3, 4, 6)
4. Review member list to market to interested
firms (2, 3)
5. Follow up with phone calls/meetings (2, 3)
6. Provide time for sponsors with speakers
(1, 4, 5)
7. Highlight program sponsors on website
banners and other materials, coordinate
with Communications committee (5, 6)
8. Reach back out to client post event for
personal thank you (3)
9. Create different levels to enable additional
companies to participate (6)
10. Acknowledge the Education event host at
the event (3)
SPONSORSHIP
11. 2015-16 SMPS GREATER CINCINNATI
LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION CHART
ADVISORS
MELISSA LUTZ
NANCY GOINS
BETHANY RUSTIC-SMITH
COMMITTEE
PAGE HELMICK
JANINE KNUE
MEG MUELLER
MELANIE PLISKIN
ERICA SCHWEGMAN
CHELSEA THISTLETHWAITE
LOGISTICS
LINDSAY WILHELM
PROMOTION
JASON AYERS
JEN DAVIS
SPEAKER LIAISON
DARRIN HUNTER
LISA KORESSEL
CPSM ADVANCEMENT
LISA KORESSEL
E-COMMUNICATIONS
OPEN
WEBSITE
DAWN BARDONE
MELISSA PUTNICK
SOCIAL MEDIA
KATY CROSSEN
OPEN
VISUAL
COMMUNICATIONS
OPEN
PHOTOGRAPHY
MELISSA PUTNICK
KATY CROSSEN
MEDIA RELATIONS
KATY CROSSEN
A/E/C CALENDAR
PEGGY YOCUM
PRESIDENT
AMANDA ROEHL
CHAPTER CHAMPION
MELISSA LUTZ
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
MEGAN MILLER
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
JENNIFER DANFORTH
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
NIKKI MARKSBERRY
OUTREACH DIRECTOR
DAWN BARDONE
COMMITTEE
JEN DAVIS
DIANE HANSBURY
JANINE KNUE
SPONSORSHIP DIRECTOR
MATT HOELLER
COMMITTEE
LINDSAY WILHELM
IMMED. PAST PRESIDENT
PAM ROEBEL
PRESIDENT-ELECT
JENNIFER SEBRANEK
TREASURER
PARIDHI VAID
COMMITTEE
DIANA BAUKNECHT
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
AMANDA NEYER
COMMITTEE
NICK STEINERT
OPEN (2)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
AMANDA ROEHL
SECRETARY
KRISTIN BRUNEMANN
GREATER CINCINNATI SMPS 2015-2018 STRATEGIC PLAN
2015-16 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
