Chairman's Corner

 January 2001

Welcome to 2001, the real new millennium. I want to first thank to Kathy Goelkel for a great 2000. She was more than a Chapter Chair for us and we all owe her a great deal of thanks for the long hours and stress she put up with to keep things running on several fronts. Thank you again Kathy.

I wish to take this opportunity to welcome our new officer corps to their respective callings: Ms. Connie Vaughn, Vice-Chair; Ms. Kris Rennett, Secretary; and Mr. Brad Minnis, Treasurer. We are all excited about the rare opportunity to serve you. To share in the success of this year's activities, please contact us with your thoughts and ideas, and to volunteer your time, even if it is only an hour or two a month.

Need New Meeting Places - In the reflection of the booming Silicon Valley economy, the cost of hosting our normal monthly luncheons at a hotel has become cost prohibitive. If your company can provide a conference room for 50-75 people from 9 a.m. to noon on typically the third Thursday of the month, we want to hear from you. We've received several offers for accommodations later on in the year, but currently need a location for February and April.

New Meeting Place and Time - We will meet on Thursday, 18 January 2001 at Cisco Systems, San Jose (see the directions elsewhere on the website). Our guest speaker is Mr. Dave Walters who will share some of the security secrets of the Cisco "eLearning" strategy for new employees. It will be an excellent program. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. with Mr. Walters starting at 10 a.m. sharp. After his 1˝-hour presentation, we will roll into our monthly meeting. An executive council meeting will be held at noon.

Need Key Committee Volunteers - If you have always wanted to be on a committee that was critical to the success of something great, then we need you! Contact me, or the other officers, immediately to help us identify serious members who want to make a small contribution of time to this great chapter.

45th SFBA Chapter Anniversary - The chapter was chartered on 24 September 1956. We will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the chapter at each of our monthly meetings. In a special way, we'll recognize those who formed the foundation for what we've gotten to know and appreciate so well today as the SFBA of ASIS. During the business meeting, the five SFBA members with the "oldest" ASIS membership numbers will be recognized with special "thank you" prizes.

ASIS Life Memberships - If you've been a member of ASIS in good standing for at least 20 years and are now retired (or will be contemplating retirement this year), let us know. I want to make sure this year that all eligible ASIS SFBA members receive their ASIS "Life" Memberships. It takes at least 30 days to process the application; so get your paperwork into me ASAP.

39th Annual St. Patrick's Day Luncheon - Put Friday, 16 March 2001 on your calendar for the 39th Annual ASIS SFBA St. Patrick's Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Luncheon. Just like last year, we'll be at the Four Seasons Hotel (formerly the Sunnyvale Hilton) for another great event. Plan for it today!

Recognition - With all volunteer organizations, the members do not get paid. So what is it that drives us to donate those hours in various positions to keep things rolling? I feel that most of us are driven by the personal pride in recognizing that there are just some things you can't put a price on. In the coming year, I want to put the "carrot" out early for those who see fit to contribute a couple of hours to this chapter. I can promise you that persons who qualify for the "Chairman's Award" and the "Committee Chairman of the Year" will be very impressed at the "thank you" gifts they will receive next December. Don't be surprised if you see some "goodies" dropped on currently participating chapter members…stay tuned!

CPP Value - At the National ASIS Convention in Orlando, FL in September, a great deal of emphasis was made for the further education of those possessing the CPP title. We have a tremendous opportunity to improve our general knowledge and CPP standing with the assistance of Rudy DuBord III, CPP, Committee Chair, CPP Review & Examinations. Look forward to more good things from Rudy this year.

Rev. Martin Luther King Junior's Birthday - Let us all remember Rev. Martin Luther King Junior's birthday this month and all the struggles he went through to help level the playing field for so many Americans.

2001 SFBA Chapter Dues - I wish to thank all those members who submitted their annual SFBA chapter dues for last year. Now that we're in a new year, please make it a point to bring your "account" up to date starting here in January. To assist those of you who need something "in writing," an annual dues statement will be sent out soon.

Final Comments - As an ASIS member since 1977, I have noticed a few things in our profession have changed. 100 pages per minute copy machines did not exist and carbon paper was still routinely used in offices. Voice mail was just coming into its own as the digital phone/PBX came into play. Few people had portable phones, but nobody had a pager that would give them the latest ball scores or stock prices! A portable computer? Sure, if you wanted to maybe lug 50 pounds around, but then you had to find a 120v outlet to plug it into. Most large companies had not only an in house security manager, but also the supervisory staff and the security officers were often company employees as well.

Technology has been nice, but I feel far more is being expected of the security manager today. One can no longer wait a week or two to respond to a letter. If it is not a fax, then it is an email that demands an answer almost before it is received! Security managers today get to do more with less; less money, less in staffing and less in available time to attend professional development type activities. According to an old logger's tale, a sharp saw makes the work go quicker and with less energy. But, one has to take time to sharpen the saw!

We've noticed a major drop in attendance last year, and in the previous years. To help solve some of the problem, we are trying something new by changing our meeting time and condensing the workshop and business meeting. Every workshop speaker and topic this year will absolutely be worth your time to come and hear. With the earlier schedule starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending by noon, we are looking for improved attendance and greater participation from you. We hope a new time and format will encourage you to squeeze this valuable monthly ASIS meeting into your busy schedule. You saw a value in becoming a member of ASIS. Remember, your chapter is what you help it to be. See you on the 18th , and bring a friend!

Ron Sathre
Chapter Chair- Year 2001