Although it doesn’t seem as though three ½ years have passed since forming the UFSC-PS Chapter in March 2007, this article serves as my final communication to the members and stakeholders as your Founding President of the Board of Directors. I’m very grateful to all of you for working with me to make the UFSC-PS Chapter a true leader in the financial services industry! And, I’m proud to see the unity and strength shown by our Charter members, Corporate members and Strategic Relations during these trying economic times for both our industry and nation as a whole. So much has happened during my tenure, that it’s difficult for me to focus on any one improvement in the UFSC-PS. I’m thrilled to see a marked increase in member outreach, as well as a renewed energy in our Membership Committee, both of which have helped UFSC-PS membership grow by leaps and bounds. It’s also exciting to see a rise in the number of member committees, designed to address the unique needs of individuals that make up our diverse organizations. In addition to strengthening such existing committees as Membership, Marketing, Mentoring, Strategic Planning, and IS Management Council, members have also shown great interest in forming new groups, like the Human Resources Peer Group and Small Business Committee.
The UFSC-PS has added several new benefit programs to the “buffet of financial services” we offer our Corporate members. Members can now work with our marketing partners and save time and money in many different areas that will hopefully improve their companies’ bottom line. For example, UFSC-PS now offers social internet marketing such as Tweets, Facebook and LinkedIn Events, NewsBlogs, and several venue platforms for our Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs as well as Corporate members to use to promote professional development and economic empowerment events. I encourage you to contact the UFSC-PS Chapter Marketing Director at marketing@ufscps.org to learn more.
I feel that the future of our industry is indeed bright and full of possibilities! I envision the UFSC-PS Chapter and its members leading the industry into greater periods of prosperity-an important key to this strategy is to continue Building the Coalition…One Member at a Time, which will allow members and stakeholders to play an active role in changing the direction and shape of the industry. What better role for the UFSC-PS than to spearhead a market targeted at growing the industry it represents!
“Going global” has always been a passion of mine, and I’m pleased with what the UFSC-PS has begun to accomplish in this regard. To illustrate, the newest sponsorship program has been established with corporate member Liberty Specialist Institute in Koforidua, Ghana, West-Africa, as a means to unite our industry’s leaders with financial education and support for Business and Accounting vocational education for vulnerable youth abroad. This bridging of the industry’s most senior executives is an excellent opportunity to meet and develop personal relationships-it is these relationships that serve as the backbone for forging alliances and partnerships (i.e. Operation Hope and the White House) that will ultimately advance our industry and help it grow stronger.
Serving as your Founding President of the Board has been an excellent experience, and I feel richer for having had the chance to meet so many of you at UFSC-PS Chapter meetings and events. Thank you for honoring me with your trust and commitment! It has been my privilege to work with my fellow Directors and Officers on the UFSC-PS board, as well as the UFSC-PS membership. I look forward to seeing you all at future International UFSC and local Chapter events. I wish you good health and prosperity.
Stayblessed!
Lizzie L. Evans
Founder and President Ex Officio
UFSC-Puget Sound Chapter
founder@ufscps.org
Urban Financial Services Coalition - Puget Sound Chapter 