Hello SMPS Oregon Chapter Members!

I am excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 SMPS Oregon Board of Directors retreat and strategic planning session. As your incoming president, I could not be more grateful for the dedication and energy our Board of Directors brought to the table. For two full days, we focused on one thing - you, our members.

Facilitated by Allison Tivnon of AEC Pursuit Strategies, we rolled up our sleeves and completed a comprehensive SWOT Analysis and Calendaring Exercise. Hours of discussion resulted in a clear and actionable set of priorities for the upcoming program year, focused on:

-Member Engagement and Feedback

-Chapter Communications

-Educational Programming

-Updated Chapter By-Laws

-Annual Sponsorship Benefits

These priorities reflect the Board's commitment to enhancing member value and creating opportunities for growth and engagement in our industry. I am happy to say that the Board left the retreat energized and motivated to keep the momentum going and make sure that YOU reap the benefits of this strategic work.

Throughout the year, we will provide updates on our strategic goals and the progress we are making. In the meantime, there are a few things for you to look for in the near future, listed below. 

Kicking off the Year

We hope to see you at the first event of the year - a members-only happy hour in Portland on September 30th. Mark your calendars as we "Kick Off the SMPS Year" with fun games, interactive moments, and of course, prizes, at R&H Construction. You'll be able to network with other members, learn more about the upcoming year, and enjoy food and drink during this member-only event.

A New Chapter for GROW

You may notice a slight shift in our annual calendar: the yearly GROW event will not take place this fall. But don't worry, it is not going away. We're reimagining the program to better serve your needs and align its timing with the calendar year. Mark your calendars for January 2026 - new year, new GROW.

Shaping the Chapter Together

As we are making some changes, we want to make sure we are on the right track. We will be sending out another member survey before the end of 2025, with more regular surveys planned over the next 16 months. Your feedback is essential, and these surveys are vital to keep our volunteer efforts focused on what matters most to members. This is a volunteer-run organization, and it takes all of us to make something wonderful.

I am looking forward to this next 16 months, and hope to see you at the next event! In the meantime, stay tuned, stay engaged, and get ready for an exciting year with SMPS Oregon.

Sincerely,

Katy Byers

SMPS Oregon Chapter President