CPI of Atlanta - Conference Reports

International Conference: Five members and one sponsor attended the 72nd Annual International
Conference in Silverdale, WA June 17-21, 2009. There were about 50 attendees in all and most came
in early to enjoy the tour to Leavenworth, WA, a Bavarian style village. In addition to shopping, concerts
and lunch at the village highlights included the ride itself over the Cascade Mountains and a ride on the
Seattle ferry.

There were thirteen from District 3 & 4, and one first timer, President Esther Brinkley’s sister, Jean,
who was recognized with the rest of the first timers (five in all) on Thursday night before the luau
reception honoring outgoing President Esther.

On Friday the conference opened officially with the first educational workshop, a bankruptcy update by
Assistant U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee Neal Jensen from Montana, followed by a presentation on "Safety
First" by Kitsap County Deputy Sheriff Pete Ball. Mary Nebeker presided at the Career Club luncheon
which followed. Carol Neal installed Anne Hammond as the new International Career Club President
with Nona Ellzey as Secretary. There were 49 members of Career Club present representing 1902
years in the industry. Ten new members were recognized, including Atlanta's Mary Rangel-Mattox.
The member with the most years in credit was LaFrance Grubbs of Pendleton, OR, with 68.

The afternoon workshops included "Effective Hiring and the Termination Process" by Sharon Tucker
and Danielle MacClean of Kitsap Credit Union and "Community Outreach and Credit Education" by
Cathy Brorson of Kitsap Credit Union. These were followed by the Pre-Conference Board Meeting and
the walk-a-thon, which was actually a fish-a-thon coordinated by Dorothy Utley. The 14 International
Past Presidents present enjoyed dinner at the Yacht Club Broiler afterwards.

The annual meeting was held Saturday morning followed by the Foundation Meeting with Anne
Hammond, President presiding. Joyce Dove has been appointed Secretary to the Foundation for the
new year. All of the proposed changes to the CPI bylaws presented prior to conference passed, and in
addition one change to the standing rules was made at conference, and that was to allow the CPI
Executive Committee to appoint a Past International President to serve as Secretary/Treasurer when
there was no nominee.

At the Awards Luncheon Atlanta received recognition for Membership Retention and one New Member.
Joyce Dove and Mary Nebeker received the Helen B. Sawyers awards from the Foundation. Joyce Dove,
LaFrance Grubbs and Charlotte Maness were inducted into the CPI Hall of Fame. District 3 & 4 won first
place for walk-a-thon donations, bringing in $2,209. District 8 placed second with $1,310 and District 5
third with $805. An additional $1,441 was raised at conference for the Foundation through raffles and
"Dollars in the Air" events, and $850 was raised for CPI.

Saturday afternoon was devoted to committee meetings. Everyone attended the Strategic Planning
Committee. Carol Neal is serving as International Marketing Chairman, and Michele and Rhonda are
serving on that committee as well. Rhonda is also on the Publications committee,

At the Installation Banquet Saturday Night Sue Heusing installed the new officers using the symbol of
“GEM” - Growing in Knowledge, Educating your Community, and Mentoring Others”. The new
International President is Jean Jervis from Ann Arbor, MI. Serving with her are First Vice President Billie
Plasker from Virginia, Second Vice President Diane Radcliff from North Carolina, and Linda Bridgeford
from Illinois who was appointed Secretary/Treasurer. Atlanta's Michele Rocher participated in the
Installation as President of District 3 & 4, which makes her a Director at the International level. The
highlight of the evening was when Rhonda McKinney was named International Credit Professional of
the Year!

On Sunday Charlotte Maness conducted a beautiful “Circle of Life” memorial service which included
Glennie Miles before our closing speaker and the Post-Conference Board meeting. Past International
President Terry Rowe spoke on "From the Embers of Adversity Rises the Phoenix of Opportunity". Our
next International Conference will be June 17-20, 2010 in Rogers, Arkansas.

District Conference: Six members and three sponsors attended the 72nd Annual District III & IV
Conference in Charlotte, NC April 16-18. There were over 50 in attendance. District President Diane
Radcliff of Charlotte, NC, presided, and International President Esther Brinkley, Business Professionals
of the Triad, was a special guest. John Lassiter, City Councilman and Mayoral Candidate for Charlotte,
gave the official welcome. The first workshop was on “Simple Secrets of Happiness” by Mona Johnson-
Gibson, Executive Director for the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, followed by an interactive
workshop on Generational Leadership by Amber Lineback, Piedmont Natural Gas.

The Career Club luncheon was a lot of fun with a version of America’s Got Talent. Rhonda McKinney
played the mean judge Piers Morgan and Michele Rocher was the entry from Georgia with her Patsy
Cline act, and she tied for first place along with Deborah Tyler from CPI of Jackson, TN, who did a
routine as the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. Anne Hammond, International Career Club Secretary,
installed the new officers: Carol Neal from Atlanta as President and Charlotte Maness from Charlotte,
NC as Secretary.

Over $1,200 was raised at the District Walk-a-Thon for the Credit Education Resources Foundation,
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and CPI, and our own Anne Hammond was recognized
for bringing in the most money.

Atlanta member Glennie Miles was remembered at the Memorial Service conducted by Chaplain Joyce
Dove.   District dues were increased to $10. All of the Atlanta members were busy all weekend: Michele
Rocher served as Vice President, Rhonda McKinney as Treasurer, Anne Hammond as Dixiegram
Editor, Carol Neal as Historian and Public Relations Chairman and Amelia Brown hosted the
Installation Banquet. Michele Rocher was elected President for 2009-2010 and her theme is “It’s All
About Time” with the white rabbit from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland as her symbol. Juanita Brown from
Atlanta was recognized as a First Timer. Atlanta won 2nd place for Bulletin, 2nd place for Attendance,
and third place for Career Club Mileage, and Rhonda McKinney was named District Credit Professional
of the Year!

In addition to Michele and Rhonda serving as our new President and Secretary, Joyce Dove will be
serving as Attendance Chairman and Conference Treasurer, Anne Hammond will be serving as
Dixiegram Editor, Amelia is Public Relations Chairman, and Carol Neal is serving as Parliamentarian,
Webmaster and Conference Coordinator.

Raffle results: Thank you to all who bought tickets in our latest project to raise funds for new District
President Michele Rocher. This raffle brought in over $470. Esther Brinkley, BP of the Triad, NC won the
afghan made by Sarah Hill. Bonnie Tatum of Jasper won the PartyLite hurricane and candle donated by
Carol Neal, Gail Ottinger, CPI of Eastern NC, won the picture by Maggie Skandamis donated by Joyce
Dove, and Bertha Flynn, CPI of Spartanburg SC won the print donated by Charlotte artist Sherry Odum.