Welcome Message from the President

Greetings! And Welcome to the newly expanded ITS Midwest.

The ITSA Board of Directors, at their June 2007 Annual Meeting, approved the merger and consolidation of ITS Mid-America and ITS Midwest. ITS Midwest now is a four (4) State Chapter that adds Ohio and Kentucky to Indiana and Illinois. Special elections have just been completed and new Officers and Board Members have already had their first Board Meeting.

Elsewhere on the website you will find a listing of the new ITS Midwest Board Members. The Board has been expanded to now include a Vice-President and two Directors from each of the four States. I have the honor and privilege of serving as President of the expanded ITS Midwest Chapter and wish to extend a welcome to those members of ITS Mid-America.

The successful transition to a four-state Chapter will require the participation and efforts of all members, and will mean some changes in how the Chapter will operate in the future. Some changes include:

• Shifting the Annual meeting to the Fall (ITS Midwest has traditionally held their Annual meeting in Early Spring) beginning in 2008, with the Annual meeting location rotating between the four states.
• Holding regional events, meetings, and/or educational programs in each of the states annually in the Spring.
• A task force, chaired by Jeff Hochmuth, Past ITS Midwest President, will focus on updating the ITS Midwest Strategic Directions Plan to incorporate the expanded Chapter and establish a concise focus for the future. Chris Hedden, ITS Mid- America Past Chairman, and Gary Rylander, ITS Midwest Past President, have agreed to serve on this important Task Force. Your input to this update will be solicited and welcomed.
• The Board will be reviewing the current Committee Structure to determine appropriate Standing Committees. All members of ITS Midwest are encouraged to participate in the Committees and contribute to their work. Certain Committees, such as the Meetings Committee, will require membership by at least a Director from each State as well as other members at large. Ideally, we would like to see each Committee Co-Chaired by a Board Member and Member-at-Large.
• A notice will be coming soon regarding the dues structure for ITS Midwest. Your dues of $250.00 (corporate) and $75.00 (Individual) will cover the balance of 2007 and 2008. Anyone who has already paid dues since January 1, 2007, will receive separate correspondence prorating the amount due.

The expansion of ITS Midwest represents an opportunity to strengthen ITS awareness in each State, and concurrently expand our focus over the Midwest Region. Our success as a Chapter will depend on the willingness of our members to get involved. I encourage all members to join with the Board and Officers and participate on one or more of the Chapter Committees.

One final note. A Chapter event is being planned in the Cincinnati, Ohio area for early November. Check the website in the near future for further information.

John Benda
ITS Midwest President