Hello Region 9 – the chapters in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont – New England as it’s called, we want to share with you a little bit more about your Advisor, CPP, Steph Ernsting. Steph is a person who jumps right into any situation with a “let’s talk about this” attitude who wants to foster idea sharing- a superb attribute for an APA Advisor!
Tell us a little about yourself?
I live in Neenah, Wisconsin and am a mom to two boys, Jacob (13) and Andrew (11), and two fur babies Gracie and Rosie. My husband and I spend our weekends at baseball or basketball tournaments and have become good friends with the other parents. When we have a weekend off, which doesn't happen often, we typically are traveling. Our closest family members are at least 4 hours away and we try to see them as much as possible. If I get time, I like to read, attend concerts, and catch up on sleep!
How long have you been involved with APA and local chapters?
I
attended my first APA Congress 10 years ago and started getting involved with the local chapters 7 years ago when I moved to Wisconsin. I started with the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter and have held a number of positions, President, Vice President, Past President, Statewide Chair, and NPW Chair. In October 2021 I shared with the then current Northeast Wisconsin President I wanted to step away and focus on my Regional Advisor role. That lasted a week as I agreed to mentor the Greater Madison Area Chapter and agreed to become their President for the year. We are currently working on boosting membership, getting others involved, and planning the Wisconsin Statewide Payroll Conference in September.
What goal would you like to achieve as a Regional Advisor?
I would like to get to know the people and chapters in my region and be someone they can reach out to for questions/advice/mentoring. Chapters are in various stages in their life cycles, and I want to get to learn where they are which allows me to better serve them. I am looking forward to getting to know the many leaders of the chapters in my region, an area I have not had a lot of exposure to before.
What is the best advice you would like to give to the chapters in your region?
These have been some tough years as we have dealt with COVID. Chapters are in various stages of "recovery" and the support they need may be different than any other year before. Please reach out so we can help and give you ideas, you are not the only Chapter going through this. There are a lot of great ways to revitalize your chapter and we are here to help!
How do you use social media to help promote and market the chapters in your region? What platforms do you use? What is your handle/profile name?
I will be honest, I am not very good with keeping up my social media platforms. I am on Facebook and LinkedIn but I am not very active on my personal profiles. The best way to reach out to me is on the NEW Chapter Leaders group you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/apachapterleaders.Your invite is coming soon if you have not already received it. This will be a great networking tool, not just for you to ask me questions, but for you to ask that question of all Advisors and current chapter leaders. With all that said, if someone wants to help me in promoting and marketing Region 9, I would love it!
How do you plan to interact with the chapters in your region?
Chapter leaders of Region 9, I plan to have meetings every other month or once a quarter so we can discuss "hot topics". Our last meeting was on how to gain members. I want to invite all of the Chapter leaders from Region 9 to attend as you are able. I hope these meetings will provide a time and place for us to share ideas, solutions, ask questions, and give answers regarding issues that are top of mind. Please make sure your preferred address with APA is up-to-date so you don’t miss the invite! I am also hoping I can meet many of you at the New England Payroll Conference in October, I am planning on being there!
Share with us below any greetings or questions you may have for Steph.
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