REGIONAL REPS

In an effort to build closer links to members throughout the Thames Valley Branch area, we are developing a network of ‘Regional Representatives’.

The aim is to build up local interest and support in the Thames Valley Branch of CIM and provide a local contact point for local members. They will also be able to provide ‘local’ knowledge of what is happening in their area, and a ‘local’ contact for for liaison with committee members. They would not be committee members of the Thames Valley Branch, though their work can count towards CPD points.

The areas where we feel they would be of particular value are:

• Developing local contacts with other CIM members and encouraging participation
• Identifying venues for meetings
• Identifying speakers for meetings
• Providing contributions to the Newsletter
• Identifying potential advertisers/sponsors
• Contact with other local professional organisations

We have local representatives based in High Wycombe, Oxford and Reading. We would like to hear from anyone interested in becoming a local representative, particularly in the Slough or Milton Keynes areas.

Initial meetings have taken place with regional representatives and meeting are being arranged to involve local marketers. The first meeting will be held in Beaconsfield at the Fitzwilliam Centre, on Wednesday, 27th September. Peter Standing, a local CIM member, who has been involved at branch level, national level, and more recently at international level, will give a short talk on how his interest and support for the local branch has led to international involvement. There will be ample time to discuss with him how this has helped him in his career, and to network with other local members as well as looking at other activities members would like to be involved with. Our initial meeting with prospective regional representatives ended with a potential collaboration, and swopping of good contacts in other fields – let us see if we can generate more interest in and for marketing!