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Past Presidents: Telling Our Stories!
Joann Joham, CMP, CMM
What year were you President of the MPI New Jersey?
2008-2009 AND 2009-2010
Who was the President of the United States during your term?
George W Bush and Barack Obama
Why did you serve as the MPI New Jersey Chapter President?
I started my volunteer leadership with MPINJ as a member suggesting to the Board that we start a Charitable Outreach Program between the MPI New Jersey Chapter and the Children’s
Specialized Hospital. Our first project was to collect toys and clothing to give to the Hospital for distribution to patients on special occasions: when the patients reached a milestone in their recovery or development, birthdays and other celebrations.
The Hospital is always in need of contributions mid-year and therefore our gifts were very welcomed in the Spring. In the next year we organized a Prom for the patients and their families and then, in subsequent years, organized various other
events. This project was so rewarding for all of us at the MPI New Jersey Chapter that it motivated between 75-100 members to get involved in each event. From this first step I started the long and dedicated role of assuming more and more positions on
the Board. Being President for two terms was rewarding, exciting and an honor.
What did you learn from this experience?
I learned that the Team is the most important – that means all who volunteer in any manner. I also am convinced that holding on to the knowledge of those who served in
the past (like the President’s Council I re-established) and making everyone feel welcome (Mentoring for first-timers at meetings) makes all the difference in maintaining the strength of the Chapter.
After finishing your term, what advice can you share with the chapter?
As Presidents of MPI Chapters, we all try to do our best for the community and membership. Most of us dedicate years to serving the Chapter before stepping
in as President and therefore we should serve as a pivotal resource for present Chapter Leadership. Some of the ideas and projects that were done in the past might merit reintegration and that would not only serve the Chapter but get the past
Presidents re-involved with the Chapter.
Sometimes, those of us who have dedicated so much time to one volunteer organization need to “take a break” and refocus our volunteer time. So be patient with us—but also don’t
forget to lure us back into the Community. We are still dedicated, support MPI and can contribute in many ways. So I shall heed my own words and not only attend the Global Conferences and the WEC but get myself to a Chapter Meeting soon!
And most importantly, it is so important to say Thank You to the present leadership for their time, dedication and expertise shared for the benefit of all.
Julia Ramos, CMP 
What year were you President of the MPI New Jersey Chapter?
2013-2014
Who was the President of the United States during your term?
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
Why did you serve as the MPI New Jersey Chapter President?
I was involved in many volunteering committees and it felt a natural step up. I also wanted to experience the position with all its challenges.
What did you learn from this experience?
I learned to listen better and say “no” when required. Learn to let individuals work out their challenges before offering an opinion. I hover without smothering. As a meeting/conference planner that is hard to do, since our DNA is to go right in and fix the issue!
After finishing your term, what advice can you share with the chapter?
I love the MPI New Jersey Chapter! It has wonderful members & volunteers that give of their time and talents. My advice would be to trust your Board/Volunteers, guide them when needed and the challenges deal with them as you would situations at work. After all, the President is running a company.
Pamela Wynne, HMCC, CMM, CMP 
What year were you president of the MPI New Jersey Chapter?
I served a two year term from 2014-2016.
Who was the president of the United States during your term?
Barack Obama
Why did you serve as the MPI New Jersey Chapter President?
I really wanted to give back to the chapter who has been so good to me over the years. I wanted to use my leadership skills to serve the chapter, lead some projects, mentor others, and be a positive, motivational presence for the chapter.
What did you learn from this experience?
Leading a group of volunteers was definitely a challenge, but SO rewarding! You need to use different skills – you can’t manage a chapter or your volunteers the same as in your work or in running a business. This role required looking at different motivations of the volunteers, looking through the eyes of a group collective. It required patience, flying at 80,000 feet rather than living in the details. It requires delegation, letting go and letting people LEAD… I personally learned that the relationships I have built over the last 17 years in the business were the most rewarding. The successes you have as a chapter are because of the dedication of your members, the shared vision to drive the industry and give back to our younger members.
After finishing your term, what advice can you share with the chapter?
The best advice I can give is to not be afraid to lean in, volunteer, and give back. Someone may be sitting there saying – I’m no good at … but your dedication, mere presence, opinion, and service is what drives growth, change, and motivates others! Build relationships across your industry, not just planner to supplier. Engage with younger members and those new to the industry. So much learning can occur in engaging with those nothing like yourself! I have learned MORE from building relationships with younger, newer colleagues. It showed me new perspective and a different eye! Most importantly – have fun, laugh, and learn to laugh at yourself!
Michelle Wescott 
What year were you President of the MPI New Jersey Chapter?
July 2012 to June 2013
Who was the President of the United States during your term?
Barack Obama
Why did you serve as the MPI New Jersey Chapter President?
I wanted to give back to the organization and serving as Chapter President gave me the opportunity to do that.
What did you learn from this experience?
MPI is a great organization and I was able to grow both personally and professionally from this experience. I have made some great friendships by being active in the chapter.
After finishing your term, what advice can you share with the chapter?
Get involved. It is a great way to network and build relationships."
Kaaren Hamilton, CMP, CMM, HMCC 
What year were you President of the MPI New Jersey Chapter?
2010 - 2012
Who was the President of the United States during your term?
Obama
Why did you serve as the MPI New Jersey Chapter President?
I was asked to take a position on the board several years before and it was a natural progression of holding different board positions and becoming increasingly engaged in the strategic direction of the chapter. I ultimately said yes to serving as I saw the benefit to building my business relationships and leadership skills.
What did you learn from this experience?
That it takes talent, skills and patience to lead a volunteer board. The experience was so valuable in that I had to develop skills that I didn’t use every day in my paid job, but that my employer benefited from. My interpersonal and soft skills had to take the lead to keep the board engaged and focused on the business objectives of the chapter.
After finishing your term, what advice can you share with the Chapter?
To keep innovating in terms of what value a professional association delivers going into the next 5 – 10 years. As networking and continuing education continue to evolve, what role will the chapter play? Leverage all that MPI Global is developing and look to their association management expertise where applicable. Keep questioning what our unique value proposition is and to keep differentiating to stay relevant.
