BITPRO

January Dinner Meeting Tuesday, January 31, 2006 ~ Jim 'n' Nicks ~ 220 Oxmoor Rd. in Homewood ~ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Gadget Gurus If you ever go to your favorite electronics store with just enough time to pick up the item you are needing and wish you could take an hour or two just to check out all the latest gadgets you definitely don't want to miss the last meeting of the year. We will have two gadget gurus bringing hot new "toys" for a show and tell. It's sure to be educational and entertaining!
President's Message	return to top
Welcome to 2006. We made it through another year and I expect to make it through many more. We have another great Board of Directors and I feel each year can only get better. As all of you know, I have very little time for anything extra, but I do like to read. Good books, motivational mostly. I started reading a new book yesterday ‘Your Best Life Now’ by Joel Osteen. The one thing I have found in common with all of them is the word ‘Believe’. You visualize what you want, think about it constantly and believe it will happen. Last year we only had an idea of what we wanted to happen and it did. This year can be even better. Get the word out about AITP, invite your co-workers and friends. Let’s work on our membership this year and have more friends to share with on Tuesdays. In November, our speakers had problems getting to the meeting so we just had a great time with those that attended. I appreciate you guys. Well, let’s roll. Have a great month and I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting. Chapter President
Minutes	return to top
There are no minutes available.
AITP Region/Association	return to top
Mark Gilfand, CDP, AITP Association President has out lined several of AITP discount programs. Please look then over and go to the AITP web site to update yourself on the opportunities we have as a members www.aitp.org. The following is some programs that he listed. Research and analysis services through Info-Tech Online education through ActiveEducation Conferences and seminars through the TechnologyIQ division of IQPC IT Training from SkillSoft / SmartCertify The Society for Information Management Regional Leadership Forum Online IT education through the University of Illinois Useractive Online Courses File Transfer, File Sharing and Remote Access solutions through LapLink Hardware and software products through PCMall Printing-related services through FedExKinko's Shipping through DHL Express Magazines through Discount Press Car insurance through Geico Long Term Care insurance through LTCI-Illinois Group Life/Health insurance through Marsh Affinity / Seabury & Smith Professional liability insurance through Target Insurance Services Credit cards through MBNA - Bank of America AITP Logo merchandise through Shane, Inc. Mark also announced, Eric Hawkinson, as the new AITP Executive Director. Eric joined the organization last summer. He will be managing headquarters operation, promoting AITP, and reaching out to members, chapters, regions, committees, vendors and other associations. There is another opportunity for student membership. Students who join AITP or renew their student membership in January or February will receive a $10 discount on their dues. There will be drawing for PDA's at the end of the campaign for new and renewing student members. Also students, Robert Half Technology and AITP is offering two $2,500 scholarships to outstanding undergraduate who are AITP Student Members pursuing studies in Information Technology. The scholarships will be awarded based on demonstrated academic achievement, leadership activities, community service and future career interests. The winners will be recognized during the 11th Annual AITP National Collegiate Conference. The application deadline is February 25, 2006. Applications should be emailed to rhtscholarship@aitp.org and include "RHT Scholarship" in the subject line. An official academic transcript is required and must be received by March 1, 2006. There is an article in the Association Newsletter that each of you should read titled ‘Some People Dream of Worthy Accomplishments, Others Stay Awake and Do Them’, written by Alan R, Zimmerman. Barbara Shook your 2006 President and Board have been working to provide your Chapter with interesting speakers for this year. Please attend every meeting, and give your Board any suggestions; also your Chapter needs a helping hand in several areas. So if you are called, Please say yes. Even better, get involved at each meeting and volunteer your help. It won't take that much of each person time if several are involved. The Birmingham Chapter Officers and Directors are in place for 2006 so welcome them to their position and give a helping hand. President -- Barbara Shook Executive VP -- Ryan Reeves Secretary/Treasurer -- John Barnhart Chapter Liaison -- Ted Hagler Newsletter Chair -- Paul Stewart Student Chapter -- Julio Rivera Awards Chair -- Gaddis Key Mbr Retent Chair -- Charlie Cook Program Chair -- Andrea Simmons Publicity Chair -- Maurice Myers Past President -- Maurice Myers Hope to see each one at Jim N' Nicks, September 28 for a little barbecue and informational meeting. Chapter Liaison

Board of Directors
President Barbara Shook - bshook@regionsbank.com Executive Vice President Ryan Reeves -- rreeves@uspipe.com Past President Steve Romine - sromine@mdicareers.com Regional Director / Liaison Ted Hagler - ted.hagler@motion-ind.com Publicity Maurice Myers - mmyers@amsouth.com	Secretary/Treasurer John Barnhart - jbarnhart@acipco.com Student Chapter Julio Rivera -- jrivera@uab.edu Newsletter Paul Stewart -- pbs@uwa.edu Awards Chair Gaddis Key -- gkey18@alltel.net Program Chair Andrea Simmons -- jarvischristian@aol.com Membership Attendance/Acquisitions Charlie Cook - ccook@uwa.edu

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A newsletter of the Birmingham Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals