IDA's New Executive Director: A Man with Many Ideas

If you haven't had the occasion to meet our new Executive Director, Steve Peregoy, then you need to take the opportunity to talk with him at our Spring Meeting in April! Since Steve was hired last Fall to assume his leadership position in IDA, he has been quite busy working with his staff and IDA leaders to develop new ideas to move IDA along professionally and financially. Steve is an inspiring and energetic man with a "can do" attitude about the positive changes he believes are possible through the teamwork and passionate committment of us all. Here are some of the recent endeavors which Steve has been developing:

I. New Office Staff- Steve found an office badly in need of additional staff to assist with the ever-growing needs of IDA Headquarters to serve 47 branches and 9 global partners. These postitions include: Anna Reuter, Dir. of Field Services; Carol Phillips, Dir. of Special Projects; Linda Marston, Dir. of Operations; and Kristen Penczek, Dir. of Conferences. Additionally, there has been a name change of "Field Services" from "Branch Services" as a better title to describe the greater extension of services to branches here in the US and our Glorbal Partners around the world as well! I will look forward to introducing you to these folks who are eager to join our hard-working veteran staff and the IDA Association.

II. Strategic Planning Process- Steve believes that a Strategic Plan must be implemented to advance the mission and the results of IDA's goals. He has designed a detailed timeline with 5 phases, appropriate goals and steps for reaching those goals. Steve feels that this process should take us between Jan. '09 to an approved action plan by Dec. 1st, 2009. The idea is to include all stakeholders to determine how to strategically manage our organizational resources to get the desired outcomes. Each of you has received an email encouraging you to participate in this process. A first step began with our Branch Council Survey calls that Regional Reps. completed in January. The next step involves some stakeholders receiving CDs with audio about how the planning process will occur. Steve is interested in having everyone provide input and to participate actively in this process; this will occur through conference calls, webinars etc. When approached, please set some time aside to become part of the inclusive stakeholders who will guide the decision-making to manage our association for the years to come!

III. Vehicle Donation Program-Steve is initiating the Vehicle Donation Program as a potential new revenue for IDA and its branches. You should have received an explanation about how this program will work and what it will mean for our organization and its branches. Just think...for donations from your branch, 10% of all money raised will be returned to your branch!! After the program generates $100,000 in donations, branches will get 20% of revenues raised by their group. All transactions will be handled throug the Insurance Auto Auctions. Steve's experience with the MD lung association was that substantial dollars can be earned through this means. With an economy in recession, this seems like an profitable, "no-brainer" as a way to keep our finances moving in an upward direction. Please consider donating your car to keep IDA and its mission financially sound!!