REGIONAL LEADER’S REGIONAL LEADER’S MANUALMANUAL

Mission and Vision Statement The vision of the Commercial Food Equipment

Service Association (CFESA) is to be a leader in the foodservice industry. The association and its members will be recognized as professional, forward thinking and customer oriented.

  The mission of CFESA is to anticipate trends

and provide services and education to raise standards of performance, help its members meet the challenges of the industry and ensure customer satisfaction.

Regional Structure

Each region will consist of:

• Regional Chairperson(s)• Regional Co-Chair• Secretary

Regional Chairperson(s) Responsibilities

• Appointed two-year term for no more than two consecutive terms;

• He/She appoints a regional co-chair for assistance;

• Solicits host for regional meetings;• Holds one regional meeting per year;• Appoints the regional secretary;• Reports on regional activities at conferences;• Reads the Mission, Vision and Compliance

with Antitrust Laws statement;

Regional Chairperson(s) Responsibilities

• Forwards a copy of proposed meeting Agenda to CFESA Headquarters for approval prior to meeting;

• Forwards any and all contracts to CFESA Headquarters for review prior to signing.

• Assists regional host in constructing and publishing meeting agenda;

• Assists regional host with proposed meeting expenses and budgeting;

• At the end of his/her term, conducts the regional election for his/her replacement;

• Approves meeting agenda and minutes and forwards to CFESA Headquarters.

Regional Co-Chair Responsibilities

• Works with the secretary on meeting agendas for approval by the Chairperson;

• Works with the secretary on meeting minutes for final approval by the Chairperson;

• Assists in conducting the regional meeting;

• Replaces the Chairperson in his/her absence.

Regional Secretary Responsibilities

• Assures that all regional meeting requirements are met;

• Handles regional correspondence;• Records, finalizes and submits

minutes of regional meeting to regional chair and co-chair.

Working with CFESA National Headquarters

The Membership Services Committee and the Board of Directors are committed to developing an active network of CFESA Regions and, therefore, encourages all Regional Leaders to take advantage of any and all assistance available from the CFESA Headquarters.

Contact At CFESA Headquarters

 Heather PriceCFESA Member Services Director2211 W Meadowview Road, Suite 20Greensboro, NC 27407

Phone: 336-346-4700Fax: 336-346-4745 Email: hprice@cfesa.com

Why Hold Regional Meetings?

Meeting programs, which focus on issues within the foodservice industry, are the keys to successful regional activities. Certain key industry issues, at time, are more relevant to specific regional sections of the country. Therefore, regional meetings may prove to be beneficial to local service company owners. The ultimate goal of regional meetings is to provide programs concerning the foodservice industry that will attract the owners and managers of CFESA member companies.

 

Meeting Fundamentals

• Hold regional meetings once per year and with plenty of advance notice.

• Meeting notice should announce subject matter and/or speaker, should “sell” the attendance and contain a detailed Agenda.

• Develop a variety of programs that will appeal to all types of members, i.e. service company owners, manufacturers, dealers, etc.

• Key the programs to the practical aspects of the foodservice industry.

Regional Meeting Suggestions & Topics

As a Regional Chairperson, plan your meetings by soliciting the help of your Co-Chairperson, your Secretary and any other regional members that wish to be included in the planning process. Rely on CFESA Headquarters for help with suggestions, topics and speakers. You may wish to include and/or invite other allied association partners.   

 

Regional Meeting Suggestions & Topics

1. Collection Concerns: Collection of past due warranties customer invoices.

2. Equipment Service/PM Contracts: What techniques have been successful in selling service/PM contracts.

3. Hiring and Retaining Employees: Does your company have written job descriptions for every employee? What avenues to do use to hire and retain employees?

4. Training / Education: How do you provide training to your employees in product knowledge, computers, etc., in addition to equipment repair training?

Regional Meeting Suggestions & Topics

5. Foodservice Partners: Do you believe that a large part of the industry is built on strategic alliances? Describe your relationships with your area: reps, dealers, consultants, factories, associations and customers.

6. Computer Systems: What kind of computer hardware/ software do you utilize? If you were to replace your system, what changes would you make?

7. Marketing: How do you select your marketing tools. Do you have a sales staff? How do you plan their schedule, review their efforts and compensate on their success?

 

Sources of Speakers At No Charge 

• Major utility companies (gas and electric) will provide speakers at no charge.

•  Telephone companies will provide speakers on:  – Management Information– Teleconferencing– Telemarketing

• Major banks and lending institutions frequently provide speakers on financial topics and credit management techniques.  

• Computer and computer-related companies have a series of non-technical presentations that can be geared to Regional Meetings with “hands-on” programs.

• The end user customers of foodservice equipment cannot be overlooked as sources of programming. 

• Manufacturers as stand alone speakers or as a panel participant will readily speak.

• Local, state and federal government agencies, such as OSHA, are always looking for organizations to speak to.

• An excellent source for regional programming is the CFESA membership itself. Many members are will to share valuable management techniques and tips. 

• Attorneys, contacted through the American Bar Association, will speak for free.

REGIONAL SPEAKER CHECKLISTHOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR SPEAKER

 • Preview speaker or ask for a recent live presentation

cassette. • Ask for references or for names of recent sponsoring

organizations. • Obtain biographical information from speakers. • Advise speaker in writing (with copy to be initialed

and returned) of date, time and location of function.

• Be sure terms of honorarium and expenses are clearly agreed upon in writing.

• Ask speaker for a printed introduction.

 

REGIONAL SPEAKER CHECKLISTHOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR SPEAKER

• Let speaker know your meeting theme and send information that includes approximate meeting attendance and audience mix (management, sales, males only, male

and female, etc.) • Have CFESA Headquarters review any housing contract

before singing. Send written confirmation of housing accommodations (if any) and clarify how checkout is to be handled.

• Request list of any audio/visual equipment or other items the speaker may need for a more effective presentation.

• Check with speaker concerning transportation schedule.

 

REGIONAL SPEAKER CHECKLISTHOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR SPEAKER

• Plan your meeting schedule so that there is a minimum risk of running late on either side of the speaker’s time. Remember the speaker’s time can considerably dilute a well-planned presentation.

•  Forward a recap of speaker’s presentation to CFESA along with ratings and recommendations for use at other CFESA Regional Meetings.

 • If using a speaker’s bureau, make certain the contract

specifies that the bureau will be responsible for a replacement in the event of a cancellation.

Q&AQ&A