1. PREPARING FOR GROWTH

• In our new Org Chart we detailed the specific responsibilities of each segment of the organization whether board, staff, intern, or contractor. Each area is key to our success.
• Transitioned Kelly from a consultant (for the last 10 years) to an employees. Kelly's title is Technology & Member Services Manager.
• Finalized Ami's year-long training and set her loose to manage our educational tours, special events, and communications as Programs & Communications Manager.
• Segment of the "old" Managing Director's positions to include a Training & Operations Manager. This position is currently unfunded and is being temporarily filled by our PSU Intern, Nathan, through May 2012.
• We continue to contract with Michelle Demirjian for bookkeeping, but she has changed her position to Chief Financial Adviser and increased her services to include not only bookkeeping but also working with the CEO & board of directors on financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance.
• Last June with the updates & changes to our By-Laws, we added a President/CEO position which is (currently) segmented into two parts.
  • Typical Executive Director type responsibilities such as raising money, negotiating contracts, and daily management of staff.
  • Management and support of our Founding Partners: NH Division of Travel & Tourism and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. [including managing and supporting our part-time MHT Literature Coordinator, Matt Lavoie]

• We are adding two new members with several new visitor centers to our membership this year.
• Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (Weirs Beach Information Booth)
• White Mountain National Forest (Their Visitor Centers including their newest at their Headquarters in Campton)
• We are working to negotiate a Walk-About Program on the secure side of the airport.
• We will be working closely with the NH Bureau of Visitor Services (who took over the responsibility of the State Welcome Centers last July) to train State employees who staff the Welcome Centers, as well as, open up all of their centers for the added value of volunteers.
• We are working to develop an individual membership program for people who are not volunteers but are interested in participating with and supporting NHGSA.
• We are working to develop membership programs for businesses that may include support services like special event/bus tour greeters, step-on guide programs, etc.

• Last year we implemented a few changes to our special event and tour programs
• With the help of a team of GSAs, Gretchen and I supported the developed of a code of ethics. This code is now taught at each new GSA Certification training and is posted as a guide for each tour and special event:
  
  
  GSAs enjoy a positive reputation in the state and around the country. As we participate in OFFICIAL GSA Business, we provide a uniformed presentation.  
  While "in-uniform" we are representing our state, our industry, and our company. Our goal is to always leave others, whether guests, hosts, or fellow GSAs better than when we found them.
   
• As many of you already know, we incorporated a "difficulty rating" for our tours and special events over a year ago to help you know the pace and endurance needed to participate. In March 2011, we updated this rating system adding another level with more information. Our tours and events are all different and we try (especially for the tours) to book a variety of levels from 1's to 4's. 
1. = Easy/One location, accessible
2. = Average/Some Walking, Maybe Stairs, Multiple Locations
3. = Difficult/Walking, Standing, Stairs, In/Out of Cars, and/or Long Day, etc.
4. = Very Difficult/Walking, Standing, Stairs, In/Out of Cars, Maybe Uneven Terrain, and/or Long Day, MUST BE HEARTY TO ATTEND!  
• Also, because of the accident last fall, our staff is now required to print and keep a notebook which includes a page for each GSA scheduled to attend the special events or tours. Each GSA is now required to enter all of their contact information including their next of kin and their doctor (an unrelated, 3rd party, with medical information in case of an emergency.)     
• This year we are have already begun to implement other helpful procedures (all suggested by GSAs) to enhance participation and cooperation.   
• Tours are now open to all GSAs with at least 50+ volunteer service hours and at least 18 of these hours recorded in last 6 months.
• Because our monthly educational tours offer limited availability, we ask that GSAs please reserve space only if you can attend the entire tour. 
• Sign-ups for tours close a week prior to the tour date allowing for RSVPs to the hosts and for contact reports to be printed and assembled. 
• Also (unless in case of emergency) we ask that if you must cancel, please do so ASAP, but at least 1 week prior to the tour. This will ensure we have enough time to solicit someone who would like to go. We will be monitoring those who continually cancel at the last minute and those who do not show up to the tour.
• We will be implementing a 4-times-a-year rule for tours. We hope this new, self-imposed system will support the needs of all GSAs and continue to keep these very important educational tours filled (NOTE: Although the tours filled quickly, the last 5 tours were NOT filled at the time of the tour. The reasons for the open spots at the time of the tour include people who had to cancel, those who didn't show up (and didn't cancel), and those who squatted on the list until the last minute then canceled not allowing enough lead time for others to rearrange their schedules to attend). Please be considerate. If you have been on at least 4 tours in the past year, give someone else an opportunity to sign up. If there are still openings 2 weeks prior to the tour, then feel free to sign up. We have 300 people, 12 tours, 30 on each tour...the math only works with your help.
• We have begun implementing a "hold the date" and "release date" for special events and tours into our e-newsletter. Last year, Kelly began to keep the tours closed until the newsletter was released to ensure fairness. Unfortunately, it didn't quite do the job. With changes in technology, some GSAs have iPhones and iPads that they carry with them. This gives them an upper hand when the tour dates open for sign ups. Adding a release date will help those who don't "walk with technology" to have an opportunity to be ready at their computers. 

• As we begin to work on our new membership program, which includes individual memberships, we want to reward those individuals who volunteer their time. So once you become a Certified GSA (after you graduate from our training class) you will have 1 year to volunteer 35 hours and maintain at least 35 hours of volunteer service per year there after. If you choose not to volunteer, but you still want to stay involved you may pay an annual membership fee of $35.00. 
• After achieving your 1,000 hours of volunteer service you become a "Lifetime Member" of NH Granite State Ambassadors. This means, regardless of the number of hours you volunteer, you will continue to be considered a member in good standing without having to "pay" a membership fee. This status will allow you to attend special events and tours that are open to ALL GSAs, such as, the annual M/S Mount Washington Shakedown Cruise, holiday gatherings, group outings, fundraising and team building events (like Monkey Trunks and the Sock Hop we had last year).

Well, that is it for now. This is a lot of information to digest. We look forward to your thoughtful input over the course of the next year as we continue to work on our strategic plan for 2013-2015 and beyond.

Continue to watch for various planning and idea sessions throughout the year. The next will be held on February 23rd. Any GSA who has contributed to our blog "GSA Recommendations When Visiting NH" is invited to join Ami and I for a topical discussion and idea exchange. If you have not received your invitation please contact Ami for the details.