CREDIT PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL OF ATLANTA
Prevent Credit Abuse - Promote Credit Education
"Let Your
Light Shine"


2007-2008 Year In Review
September:  Eight members and four guests attended the September 18 meeting at the Piccadilly.  
Yoshi Simms, President and CEO of The Publicity Formula, shared "5 Strategies to Get Media
Attention".  Election of officers was held and the final recommendation on the Bylaws was reviewed.
Click here to read the September "Bugler".

Four members and one sponsor attended the CPI of Tennessee State Conference at Montgomery
Bell State Park outside of Burns, TN, September 19-21.  

A planning meeting for the new North Fulton association was held September 23 at the offices of
Equifax in Alpharetta.  

August:  Seven members and one guest attended the August 21 meeting at the Piccadilly.  President
Carol Neal presented the educational program on "The 60 Second Procrastinator".  Proposed
changes to the Bylaws and plans for the State Conference were discussed.  Click here to read the
August Bugler.

Chairman Rhonda McKinney hosted the annual Past Presidents luncheon at the Atmosphere
Restaurant, a French Bistro by Ansley Park in Atlanta on Saturday, August 16.  Joyce Dove, Anne
Hammond, Carol Neal and Michele Rocher attended.

The Inter-City Credit Council met Saturday, July 26, at the home of Mitia Key in Augusta.  Attending
from Atlanta were Joyce Dove, Sponsor Jan Dressler, ICCC President Anne Hammond, Sarah Hill,
Carol Neal, Michele Rocher, Rhonda McKinney, and Rhonda's niece, Olivia.  District President Diane
Radcliff from Charlotte, NC, gave greetings from District, and State President Rhonda McKinney gave
greetings from Georgia.  

July:  Seven members, one sponsor, and two guests from CPI of Augusta attended the Atlanta
Summer Social at the Three Sisters Coffeehouse and Dessert Bar in Jasper, GA on July 12 hosted by
Michele Rocher.  The International Conference was reviewed at the Summer Board Meeting on July
18 at the Piccadilly Cafeteria.  Members who had attended summarized workshops given at the
International Conference:  Joyce Dove presented "Steps to Less Stress", Rhonda McKinney
presented "Communicate, Communicate, Communicate", Anne Hammond presented "Conflicts of
Interest", and Michele Rocher presented "Navigating the CPI Website".  Six Atlanta members, one
sponsor and one guest attended the Inter-City Credit Council meeting in Augusta, GA, on July 26.

June:  Five members and one sponsor attended the International Conference in Albuquerque, NM,
June 4-8.  CPI of Atlanta received certificates for Outstanding Achievement in Membership Growth and
Outstanding Achievement in Membership with Two New Members, and also won the $50 drawing
among locals with Increased Membership.  Anne Hammond was appointed President of the Credit
Education Resources Foundation and elected Secretary of the International Career Club.  She is also
serving on the Publication and Strategic Planning Committees.  Joyce Dove was recognized as the
individual with the most years in credit (58) and is also serving on the Strategic Planning Committee.  
Michele Rocher is serving on the Education and Marketing Committees, and Rhonda McKinney is
serving on the Marketing Committee. Carol Neal is Chairman of the Marketing Committee and is
serving on the Advisory and Strategic Planning Committees, and was named International Credit
Professional of the Year.  

May:  Steve Gresham of the Mentor’s Club spoke on “The Importance of Having a Mentor for Your
Career" at our May 15 meeting honoring our Past Presidents.  Vice President Anthony Stroman
presided.

April:  Leon Wheeler, Clayton State College, spoke on "How to Overcome the Fear of Speaking in
Public" at the April 17 meeting with Vice President Anthony Stroman presiding.  

Five members and one sponsor attended the District III & IV Conference in Jackson, TN, April 24-26.
District President Anita Dingledine of Jackson, TN, presided, and International President Barb Chapin
was a special guest.  The educational programs included a session on "Investing for Your Future"
with State Farm Agent  Wesley Harris, an update on the latest Identity Theft scams by Jackson CID
Supervisor Randy Lampley, and a demonstration on personal safety by Janet Morris, founder of the
Tri-State Investigation Service.  Over $1500 was raised at the District "Project Runway" Fundraiser,
and our own Rhonda McKinney was the winning designer.  Elsie Hinds, Past Atlanta President who
passed away in February, was remembered at the Memorial Service.  Atlanta members were busy all
weekend:  Michele Rocher served as Recording Secretary, Rhonda McKinney as Future Planning
Chairman, Joyce Dove as Audit Chairman,  Anne Hammond as Dixiegram Editor, and Carol Neal
served on the Bylaws Committee.  Diane Radcliff of Charlotte, NC, was elected District President for
2008-2009 and her theme is "Keep Your Spirit Alive with CPI" with the sun as her symbol.  Michele
Rocher was elected Vice President and Rhonda McKinney was elected Treasurer.  Joyce Dove will be
serving as District Chaplain, Anne Hammond will be serving as Dixiegram Editor, and Carol Neal will
be serving as District Historian, Public Relations Chairman and as a member of the Bylaws
Committee.  Carol Neal was also elected Secretary of the District Career Club and was named
District Credit Professional of the Year.  CPI of Atlanta won third place for Attendance with 3,510 miles,
third place for Career Club Attendance and received an Honorable Mention for Membership Increase.

March:  Monique Tyler, formerly of the IRS, spoke on "Misunderstanding the IRS" at Sponsor
Appreciation Nigh on March 13.  Joyce Dove and Anne Hammond were named Sponsors of the Year.  
Joyce Dove, Anne Hammond, Carol Neal and Michele Rocher attended the CPI of
Alabama/Mississippi Joint Conference in Centre, AL.  There were a record 100 players at the Bridge
Benefit sponsored by CPI of Atlanta on March 8.  CPI of Atlanta sponsored invitationals for business
professionals in North Fulton on March 4 and March 27 at the Bahama Breeze Restaurant in
Alpharetta with the hopes of launching a new association in that area.  Educational materials were
given out at the Bridge Benefit, both invitationals, and at several places of business during Credit
Education Month.  Mike Hill and Anthony Stroman both were busy with speaking engagements.

February:  Rhonda McKinney, MPCE, a Quality Assurance Analyst with Equifax and Georgia State
President, spoke on "Habitat for Humanity" at the February 21 meeting.  Michael Hill of IDT
Consultants was installed as a new member.

January:  Michael Hill, CITRMS/MCSD, IDT Consultants, spoke on "Data Breeches and Employer
Liability on January 17 with three guests and nine members in attendance.

December:  Michele Rocher, Office Manager for Dr. Stephen Byrne and District Secretary, presented
"Have You Checked Your Attitude Lately?" at the December 6 meeting with two guests and 11
members in attendance.  Toys and clothing were gathered for Clayton County Department of Children
and Family Services, our annual Angel Project.  The Winter Social was a visit to "Candlelight Nights" at
the Atlanta History Center on December 11.

November:  Michele Rocher, District Secretary and local Parliamentarian, presented "Move It, Discuss
It and Vote on It", the chapter on Parliamentary Procedure, at the November 15 Orientation Board
Meeting with 10 members in attendance.  Glennie Miles received her Professional Credit Specialist
certification, and goals for the new year were shared.

On November 10 Carol Neal presented a workshop on financial stewardship including budgeting,
debt management, credit scoring and identity theft prevention for 19 attendees at the Emerald Point
Resort at Lake Lanier Islands.  The workshop was part of a three day women's retreat for the Grace
Fellowship Christian Church.

Anthony Stroman conducted a credit and identify theft educational clinic at a church conference in
Huntsville, AL on November 3 and one for Grady Hospital employees on November 12.

Six members and one sponsor staffed a booth at the Peachtree United Methodist Church Yard Sale
on Saturday, November 3.  They distributed free credit educational materials and sold books, crafts,
and other items donated by the members to raise funds for the National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children and the Credit Education Resources Foundation.

October:   CPI of Atlanta members participated in Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 27.  
Members donated clothing and funds to the Gateway Project, a 24/7 services center and shelter for
the homeless in downtown Atlanta.  Rhonda McKinney, Carol Neal and Michele Rocher delivered the
money and items, took an orientation tour of the facility, and presented a proposal to have CPI of
Atlanta sponsor basic budgeting and other classes for residents in the future.  Joyce Dove and Anne
Hammond distributed credit education materials and Credit Education Awareness Ribbon Pins to the
17 members of their Elderhostel group while on tour in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada that day.   Anne
gave a brief presentation on preventing Identity Theft and Joyce explained the concept behind the
Awareness project. They also distributed Identity Theft brochures in the hotel for guests to pick up.  
Amelia Brown brightened the day for a patient at Gilmer Nursing Home in Ellijay, GA.   Sarah Hill
delivered 10 caps she had hand-crocheted to Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia in Decatur for use by
chemotherapy patients.

CPI of Atlanta hosted the Inter-City Credit Council meeting on Sunday, October 21 at the home of
Joyce Dove in Stone Mountain, GA.   Joyce Dove won the Comer Cherry Award for outstanding service
to  ICCC and CPI.   Past International President Nona Ellzey installed the new officers:  Anne
Hammond, Atlanta, GA, President, and Bertha Flynn, Spartanburg, SC, Secretary/Treasurer.  Loretta
Hamrick stood in for Lib, who could not attend. After the meeting Helen Whitley, LCSW and Craig
Whitley, CHT, both of Blue Skies Counseling, facilitated a workshop featuring laughter yoga entitled
"Laugh Yourself Healthy".

CPI of Atlanta hosted the CPI of Georgia  Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 20, at Mittie's Cafe and
Tea Room in Alpharetta, GA.  Atlanta member Rhonda McKinney was confirmed for a second term as
State President and is using the theme "Stepping Up and Stepping Out".  Frances Crowell, CPI of
Augusta, is Secretary/Treasurer.  District President Anita Dingledine of CPI of Jackson, TN and
International First Vice President Esther Brinkley from CPI of Triad, NC were the guest speakers.  
Carol Neal of Atlanta was named Georgia Credit Professional of the Year.  Michele Rocher was
endorsed for District Office.  CPI of Atlanta won the State Bulletin Award.  Seven Atlanta members and
one sponsor attended, along with CPI members from Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina
and Tennessee.  The workshop speaker prior to the meeting was 2007 Manual Author Dr. Cindy Gale,
on "How to Stay Healthy in an Unhealthy World".

The Atlanta Installation and Awards Dinner was held at the Piccadilly Cafeteria on Friday, October 19,
2006, with 7 members and 12 guests in attendance.  District President Anita Dingledine, from CPI of
Jackson, TN, installed the new officers using the theme: "Let Your Light Shine":  Carol Neal,
CCBE/MPCE, President; Anne Hammond, CCBE/MPCE, Secretary; and Joyce Dove, CCCE/MPCE,
Treasurer.  Amelia Brown stood in for new Vice President Anthony Stroman who could not attend.  
Seven members were recognized for Perfect Attendance in 2006-2007, with special recognition given
to Joyce Dove and Sarah Hill who had both achieved 50 years Perfect Attendance. Carol Neal was
named Credit Professional of the Year.  

On October 19 Rhonda McKinney was one of the volunteers recognized at a luncheon honoring tutors
at  Manning Oaks Elementary School in Alpharetta.  

Joyce Dove, Anne Hammond and Carol Neal attended the International Strategic Planning and
Executive Committee Meetings in St. Louis, MO, October 12-14.

Carol Neal presented a workshop on "Finding Your True Colors", using the True Colors
communication model, for the Software Quality Assurance Department at Equifax on October 1.


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