AAF - North Central Indiana

Oops...we did it again!

Exciting news has once again come our way! For the second year in a row, North Central Ad Federation has been named AAF's National Club of the Year. Each year the American Advertising Federation (AAF) honors top clubs in eight categories (advertising education, communications, diversity, government relations, club management, membership, programming and public service) through a competition called Club Achievement. Basically, our membership benefits are judged in eight categories against our peers on a national level. Additionally, a "club of the year" is chosen in each membership division based on the cumulative score of their entries.

NCAdFed entered the eight categories above and placed in the following:

First Place - Programming
First Place - Advertising Education
Second Place - Communications
Second Place - Diversity
Third Place - Government Relations
Third Place - Public Service

Along with this honor, I was very fortunate to be named the 2008 National President of the Year representing our great organization.

The Board has been riding high since our phone call from AAF in Washington DC! NCAdFed will be presented this outstanding distinction at the AAF National Convention in Atlanta on Sunday June 8. This honor brings many benefits to our club...national speakers, financial rewards, and excellent networking and educational opportunities. For just the third year we have entered in the Club Achievement competition, repeating as Club of the Year is really special. The Board of Directors has worked very hard and put in a lot of volunteer hours over the past year for this recognition. I'd like to thank them for their endless energy and dedication so we can bring you meaningful benefits as members of this organization. I'd like to send special thanks to the Core Team consisting of Allison Meadows, Michelle Kreinbrook and Laura Edwards that assembled our entries and thanks also to Angie Klink and Sharon Martin for proof-reading our narratives. The Club Achievement Books will be on display at our Summer Social in June so take some time and review the work that went into them.

Our May 22 meeting will be a celebration of our achievements from AAF! Not only will the Club of the Year banner be unveiled, we will again host another excellent speaker! This month's program on Generation X & Y and their shopping habits will be very educational.

Congratulations to the entire club on this fantastic recognition! Your support over the past year has been rewarding. You all should be proud of this accomplishment.

Member Benefits

Don't forget to take advantage of member benefits available through AAF. Discounts are available on travel, insurance, credit cards, FedEx and rental cars, to name a few. AAF's career network opportunities also connect employers with advertising and marketing professionals across the country. Visit the AAF website at www.aaf.org and click on Club Services and then Member Discounts. You'll be amazed what is available.

Annual Meeting and Election of New Board

The May 22 meeting will also serve as our Annual Meeting of our organization with the election of our 2008-2009 Board of Directors. Here is the slate of officers you will be voting on for next year:

President
Michelle Kreinbrook, Unity Healthcare

President-Elect
Stephanie Hainje, PEFCU

Past President
David Huhnke, Lafayette Savings Bank

Secretary
Tina Parker, Boiler TV, Purdue University

Treasurer
John Metzinger, CityBus

Communications Director
Kevin Hamstra, Hamstra Media

Programming Co-Directors
Allison Meadow, Mulberry Health & Retirement Community
Traci Robison, Clarian Arnett Health

Membership Co-Directors
Kathy Cole, the National Group
Jeanine Phipps, Purdue Research Parks

Hospitality Co-Directors
Kristy Blair, Indiana Design Consortium
Shawn Borga, Sign Experts

Development Co-Directors
Steven Sturm, Haan Marketing & Communications
Steve Hall, Hall of Music Productions, Purdue University

David Huhnke
NCAdFed President