TO: EO Seattle Members

Hello all,

I recently returned from the Western Regional EO Presidents Retreat and wanted to bring the Seattle Chapter up to speed with all that is happening at EO.

All salesmanship aside, EO is doing incredibly well. Globally we now have over 6,600 members in 38 countries. The Gross Domestic Product creation by all those EO member companies exceeds many countries.  The Western US is doing just as well and I am continually impressed with the new people I meet. If you have not spent much time outside the Seattle Chapter I highly recommend either attending an EO University or joining the local Seattle Board to broaden your experience. EO is an amazing organization.

Here are some highlights of the past year:

Top 5 Board Goals:

·         Increase brand awareness of EO in Seattle business community

·         To understand the benefits of and use Gestalt as the communication standard in forum

·         Member exclusivity:    Create the reality that being invited to join EO is a privilege

·         Give every member the opportunity to be engaged in the chapter at whatever level they choose.

·         Continue to deliver exclusive once in a lifetime, learning, and social events.

And a brief update on each:

Increase brand awareness of EO in Seattle business community

o   Lynn Parker, Communications, is authoring monthly articles in the local Business Journal under an EO byline

o   Matt Wimmer, Membership, sent 1,000 letters to prospects via the Global database offering a Webcast on the EO experience

Conducted two Webcast conference calls for prospective members

o   Marc Rousso, Sponsorship, won new Legal sponsor, Graham & Dunn, at a $10,000 per year contribution.

Invited sponsors to host and provide one Learning event each

o   Kevin Sullivan, President, Met with University of Washington School of Business, Entrepreneurship Chair – accelerator potential

o   Sent all renewing members an EO jacket with stitching

To understand the benefits of and use Gestalt as the communication standard in forum

o   Molly Wilmot, Forum, presented the need for this at to the chapter; 3 forums being re-trained by Joan Mara on proper forum protocols. Reminders in moderator calls

All forums are now using Gestalt

Member exclusivity:    Create the reality that being invited to join EO is a privilege

o   21 qualified new members this year so far…

o   This is more of a mindset but we had all members re-qualify this year and the board now interviews all new proposed members at Board meetings for 10 minutes

o   Forums now full, all new members are entering new forums

Give every member the opportunity to be engaged in the chapter at whatever level they choose.

o   Many members attending Universities. Las Vegas, Japan, India

o   Great participation in social and learning events

o   Entire Board travels to Global Learning Conference in San Francisco

o   Presidents travel to Western Region Presidents Retreat in Las Vegas

o   Retreat was a huge success. Near 100% attendance. “Your Forum Retreat”, hosted by Chapter, run by Forums.

Continue to deliver exclusive once in a lifetime learning, and social events.  Planned by James Wong and Dale Nussbaum, Learning.

o   Exclusive “crush” winemaking dinner in September,

o   Forum retreat in October,

o   Learning at lunch in December

o   Holiday party in November on the boat.

o   Bob Bloom event at Rainier Club

o   Dine Around in February

o   Sponsor provided Learning at Lunch in March

o   Upcoming April event with John Stanton

o   Upcoming not to be missed June Kickoff event

o   President’s Cup Golf Tourney in May

As you can see, we are having a great year. I’ve enjoyed presiding over your very talented Board and we’re working hard to finish the year strong in June.

Kevin Sullivan

EO Seattle President