1 SUMMARY: Company chapters largely exist at the grace of executive management… they need to see value to be supportive. Chapter leaders must foster and nurture that support… and never let down their guard. If its not the most important item on the chapter Presidents agenda, its near the top. To a large extent, the chapter exists to support the companys mission and vision and to help develop leaders, both short term and long term. The chapter must be viewed as a business partner and chapter leaders need to adopt that relational style with senior management. FUNDING: Seeking executive involvement requires spending time and effort, on an ongoing basis as a matter of communication and commitment. In turn, you may be asking for direct support (in terms of a financial contribution to the chapter operation) and for indirect support in terms of time to attend to chapter business; use of the company website, bulletin boards, display areas, mailing privileges, attendance at LDCs and the Annual Conference; company time for all or a portion of chapter professional development classes; and company executive participation in chapter events. Recognition of your executive team, via NMAs Silver Knight Award and a host of other awards, is key. All are available for purchase from the NMA. REQUIREMENTS: Its important that chapter leaders develop an official Plan of Action for communicating with upper management and engaging them in selected activities. At the very least, schedule a meeting at the beginning of your year to outline your goals and then one at the end of the year to review your achievements. Dont hesitate to ask for time to periodically update the chief executive and his direct reports on a regular basis at his or her regular staff meeting, and invite executives to your Board meetings and General Membership Meetings (GMMs). If you can, actively engage your executives in company outlook presentations to current and prospective members to show their support – and help recruit new members. PROCESS:. Locate a copy of the companys mission statement and yearly goals and objectives. Take the time to map out a corresponding set of chapter goals the support and mirror the companys needs. Put it in writing and be ready to go at the first meeting with the executive(s). Make your intent very clear and ask: What can the NMA chapter take off your plate? If youre asking for a financial contribution, clearly show where a corporate investment can close the gap in terms of successful execution. Consider a number of executive advisors; and dont hesitate to provide a graceful exit to an executive whose time and work demands may have made him or her less effective in the recent past than they were originally. Things change and you need to engage the best people on your team. Rev QuickTool 11 Involve/Support Your Company Executives

2 PROCEDURES: Chapter Presidents Guide pages 15 (or 23 via PPT counting of pages) and 19 (or 27) PowerPoint presentation to modify & use with your execshttp://nma1.us/QuickTools/Executive-Management-Presentation-Generic.ppt. Executive Interface - Principles in Leadership NMA workshophttp://nma1.us/QuickTools/Executive-Interface.ppt About the NMA Executive Advisory Committeehttp://nma1.org/eac/eac.htm Example Executive Presentationhttp://nma1.us/QuickTools/Example-Exec-Presentation.ppt From the bookshelf: Talking to the Top: Executives Guide to Career-Making Presentations – Ray Anthony CEO Learning – Joyce Henderson Details research on how executives use transformational learning and helps coach employees in dealing with the way CEOs process information://nma1.us/forms/guides/Pres.pdfhttp://nma1.us/QuickTools/Executive-Management-Presentation-Generic.pptnma1.us/QuickTools/Executive-Interface.ppthttp://nma1.org/eac/eac.htmhttp://nma1.us/QuickTools/Example-Exec-Presentation.ppt COMMENTS: To work with executives, you need to think differently… keep it short, keep it definitive, present concrete plans of action, ask for what it is EXACTLY that they want, report regularly, and keep them engaged and informed. No surprises. CONTRIBUTORS: Glenn Antee, Steve Bailey, CM, Pete Kurzhals, CM, Alison Orne CONTACT: Steve Bailey CHECKLIST: The letter T refers to the date of installation of all new chapter officers.