Originally affiliated with the APA in March of 2013, the Volusia Flagler APA Chapter has overcome many obstacles since its inception including losing the founding Chapter President and becoming inactive in 2015. It’s been a long, hard road, but we made it. I struggled with trying to organize an APA Chapter, but when I switched gears and began looking at this as a “team building” experience, things began to quickly fall into place. The team that I and several others worked hard to build finally gave way to the new and improved Volusia Flagler APA Chapter.
Several Volusia Flagler APA Chapter members had started the day at our local SHRM meeting on July 19, at 7:30 am and we were together again at 7:30pm for our chapter meeting. That is hardcore dedication to the community and shows the need for this organization. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend the first meeting for the Volusia Flagler APA Chapter, but we had a strong turnout! Eighteen payroll individuals who represented over 10,000 employees in Volusia County attended the meeting and participated in an in-depth Q&A session as well as chapter discussions.
The Volusia Flagler APA Chapter officers and members smile brightly as they conduct their first chapter meeting.
Two organizations that had missed the first chapter meeting emailed the next day and encouraged the chapter to keep going, promising that they would attend our next chapter event! HOW CAN I STOP NOW?! Our community is supporting the Volusia Flagler APA Chapter and I simply can’t believe this is happening.
We are simply amazed at the size of these companies who have looked to the chapter to get this going. I’m so honored and humbled that the community has supported the Volusia Flagler APA Chapter for three years while we got the chapter active again- FINALLY! My motivation is coming from the community and my efforts are coming from my heart. It feels awesome to “give and do.” When I’m rewarded with such earnest gratitude from the community, I’m not giving up anything. This is really happening now and I am so happy and so are the people in our community!
The next chapter meeting will be Thursday, August 17th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where the Volusia Chapter APA Chapter will be reviewing Fiduciary Fitness: A Road Map for Effective Retirement Plan Fiduciary Governance and Risk Mitigation. Please contact the Volusia Flagler APA Chapter for more details.
While the chapter members and I are excited and proud of this first successful meeting, we are always ready and prepared to expand our horizons. The chapter is in search of guidance on how to reach the next level and is open to any advice to grow this wonderful chapter. The chapter is asking for volunteers to assist in social media outreach, coordinating RCH events, and finding speakers. Please feel free to email me or with any suggestions of actions that have worked well for your chapter or comment below.
On a side note, please see my socks. They are probably not up to Dan’s standards but he better look out!!!
