HOW TO JOIN

IABC membership runs for a full 12-month period and begins immediately upon receipt of full payment and application to IABC world headquarters. Members must belong to the international level of the association. District/regional membership is automatic. Each chapter and district region may set its own dues; as a result, total dues amounts vary according to a member's location.

• IABC international dues for new Cleveland chapter members: $352.
• Renewal fee: $312.

Your membership belongs to you no matter who paid for it. IABC memberships are individual memberships.  To join IABC now, click here.

Questions?  Contact chapter administrator Pam Tallant.

You can register online by clicking here.

Looking for a way to contribute to IABC Cleveland, met new people and stretch your skills? Several committees led by members of the IABC Cleveland Board are looking for volunteers to help during the upcoming programming year. It’s an excellent way to make new contacts and to deepen your chapter involvement. Questions?  Contact chapter administrator Pam Tallant.

INVEST IN YOURSELF ...

3 Good Examples on Investing in Yourself: IABC Cleveland Leadership Role Opens Doors 

Take your membership to the next level and get involved on the IABC CLE board -- For more information, contact Marie Kilbane Seckers, IABC Cleveland president, at marie@iabccleveland.com or 216-774-5751 or Kavita Sherman, vice president, at kavita.sherman@adelphia.net or 440-668-5461.

Tracy McDaniel, President and Vision Awards

As a Chicago transplant, Tracy McDaniel joined IABC Cleveland in 2003 to network and develop professionally. She was quickly recruited by a board member to help with the Vision Awards, IABC Cleveland’s premier communications event, where she honed her special event skills and helped other communicators earn recognition for their hard work. When a chance to become IABC Cleveland president presented itself in 2006, Tracy took it. Her can-do, never-say-no attitude impressed an IABC member from Medical Mutual of Ohio, who offered Tracy her current position as manager, marketing communications, in 2008. She credits IABC Cleveland with helping her grow professionally and securing her latest job. If you want to take a more senior communication role, bolster your skills, and otherwise fortify your resume, nominate yourself for one of four open board positions. Interested and need more details? Contact Marie Kilbane Seckers, chapter president, or Kavita Sherman, vice president. 

Craig Ihms, PR director

Six years ago, Craig Ihms joined the IABC Cleveland board as public relations director. His involvement gave him new opportunities with clients and prospects, and enhanced and strengthened his overall portfolio, which was heavy in internal communications, marketing communications and, promoting advertising. Craig manages public relations for IABC Cleveland by writing news releases about upcoming chapter programs IABC's events and services and building organization awareness. He said his time on the board has served him well, but he plans to stop monopolizing the role and give someone else a turn for the 2009-2010 programming year.

Liz Maillard, Finance Director

As a communication consultant at Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Liz Maillard is the trusted advisor her clients seek to develop communications strategies for and educate client audiences about benefits programs. Her straightforwardness and “big picture thinking” also benefits IABC Cleveland where she serves as treasurer. Prior to that, Liz was a Vision Awards committee member. While the chapter remains financially strong because of her oversight, Liz said she’s benefitted, too, through relationships she built, connections she’s made, and information she's learned and shares with her clients. Liz holds the only two-year IABC Cleveland board position, which she plans to leave in June, 2009. If you are someone who wants to take a more senior communication role and gain budget experience, nominate yourself for treasurer. Interested and need more details on all the open board positions? Contact Marie Kilbane Seckers, chapter president, or Kavita Sherman, vice president.

 

IABC CLEVELAND WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

IABC Cleveland received two awards for outstanding chapter management from the International Association of Business Communicators. 

The chapter won an award of excellence for its work in the student involvement category, including student outreach through its scholarship offering. The chapter also won an award of merit in the membership marketing category for its ability to recruit and engage members. 

The 2009 awards honored results achieved in 2008 and were announced at the Leadership Institute conference in Orlando, Florida.

IABC’s Chapter Management Awards recognize the leadership abilities, management skills, creativity and teamwork of outstanding volunteer chapter leaders worldwide.

To get involved in IABC Cleveland, contact Marie Kilbane Seckers, president, at marie@iabccleveland.com or Kavita Sherman, vice president, at kavita.sherman@adelphia.net. Click here to view the complete list of winning chapters.

 

OUR CALENDAR (2008-2009)

See what professional development you may take advantage by attending one of the upcoming skills-building seminar, workshop and networking events.

 

OUR VISION

To develop and nurture a highly effective and diverse professional communication community in Northeast Ohio.

 

To provide the tools and resources that increase the effectiveness of our members, enhance their careers and ensure the highest standards of professional communication for companies and clients.

As a member of IABC Cleveland, you’ll have the opportunity to access a wide array of resources, including:

• A network of communicators that begins right here in Northeastern Ohio and extends 13,000 strong throughout the U.S. and across the globe.
• Professional development programs, volunteer activities and other events to keep you plugged into your local community.
• Local job postings and job listings through the IABC Job Centre.
• IABC International publications such as Communications World magazine and CW Bulletin, which provide information on current communication issues and business trends.
• The IABC International Web site, www.iabc.com, its membership directory, online library and MyComm, a powerful communication planning tool created by Cisco Systems.
• IABC’s MemberSpeak, an electronic bulletin board located at www.iabc.com.
• Member discounts on IABC International programs, webinars, publications, templates and other tools.