Look for the Annual Member Survey!

 We all WIN when you respond! 

Our annual Member Survey will be distributed within the next week.  This is one of the most important and convenient ways in which you can contribute to your local Society.  The responses from this year's survey will be used to help us as we create the new 3-year plan!  We need to hear from you!  Help this to be a record-breaking response.  

We will be holding a RAFFLE for a KEURIG Coffee Maker for one lucky respondent!  Don't miss your chance to own your Keurig.  So ... 

1)   Look for the Survey!

2)   Fill it out!

3)   Send us your response!

We appreciate your input!

Monthly Member Missive:  

(this month we are spotlighting another of our Career Day key-note speakers)

by Career & Professional Development Day key-note speaker, Theresa Rose 

Staying Calm Amid the Tempests of Change

By Theresa Rose

In the increasingly tumultuous climate of Corporate America, it's starting to seem as if no place is safe.  Nowadays, most places of employment - from small businesses to multinational corporations - contain a pocket or two of whispering staffers fretting over the impending change that is about to hit their world or complaining about the one that just took place.  They have nervously listened to economic reports of doom and gloom, heard rumors circulating throughout the office corridors, watched a steady stream of co-workers come and go, and grumbled every time a new organizational chart is delivered to their e-mail Inbox.  There's no doubt about it: People are scared.

Whether it is the result of witnessing several of the largest bankruptcies in modern history, a hostile merger or acquisition, massive reductions in force, or simply a change in management, workers across the country are being negatively affected by the widespread changes taking effect in the workplace.  Stress and anxiety levels are increasing, productivity is decreasing and job-hopping is commonplace, thus lowering an already basement-level employee morale.

If you have ever been in a major weather event such as a hurricane, tornado or earthquake, you are undoubtedly familiar with the few basic rules of survival and protection.  Corporate changes are not unlike these natural occurrences, as they can often inflict similar emotional and financial upset.  If you find yourself in the throes of yet another career shakeup, here are a few helpful hints on how not only to weather the storm, but also to emerge head and shoulders above your competition once the dust settles.

1)    Expect it.  Change in the business world is inevitable .  If you know that change - potentially a great deal of it - is guaranteed to happen, it will help you minimize the shock and denial that sometimes surface when it invariably hits.

2)    Be prepared.  When a big storm threatens a community, there are two key steps to adequately prepare: develop a solid plan and secure the necessary provisions.  You want to know what you are going to do and what you need to do it.  The same holds true for your employment.  Before the storm of change hits, decide now what you want from your career and how your skills, credentials and desires match your current employment.  

 3)    Ride it out.  OK.  The storm has hit.  You have a new office, boss, job, or company (or maybe you just found out that you no longer have any of them)!  Now is the time to get grounded and centered.  Trust that everything will happen exactly as it needs to in your highest good, and surrender to the Powers That Be.  You are not in charge, but you have the ability to stay calm while the storm passes.  Keep breathing.

 4)    Clean up afterward.  At this point you are surveying the damage.  As you look around, you can't help but notice the casualties and the huge amount of work ahead of you.  First and foremost, give yourself permission to feel bad for a while, and honor the fact that you just went through a difficult challenge.  If others are hurt by the change, extend a compassionate hand.  But after a short period of time, decide that you want to get on with your life once again.  Make a graceful exit from the pity party, roll up your sleeves and get to work. 

The spate of corporate fear can be addressed when we take our cues from the lessons of Mother Nature.  By adequately preparing for and weathering the inevitable tempests of change, you will clearly set yourself apart from the rest of the people who are still cowering around the water cooler hoping that tapping their heels three times will return them to a safe, static work environment.  Through awareness, preparation, centeredness, and acceptance, you will move swiftly through the blowing winds of change and ultimately emerge more joyful and successful than ever before.

About, Theresa Rose

Theresa Rose is a national motivational humorist and award-winning author of Opening the Kimono: A Woman's Intimate Journey Through Life's Biggest Challenges. As the founder of Serious Mojo Publications, Theresa specializes in fresh approaches to energy management, productivity and creative development.  Her past experience includes several entrepreneurial and management positions, including owning and operating an alternative healing center, senior manager of marketing and product development for a Fortune 100 telecommunications firm and vice president of a consulting firm specializing in higher education. For more information, visit TheresaRose.com.

(Register for Society events on our calendar page)

Register NOW! 

It's time again for our annual Career & Professional Development Day, with speakers from around the region and the country presenting on two topic tracks with sessions such as:

1) Job Seeker 
 - How to write a dynamite resume

 - Utilize Linked-in and MSP Business Journal

 - How & when to work with a recruiter 

2) Career Development 

 - Presentation skills: voice, style, slides

 - Position yourself for a promotion 

 - Networking: On and off the screen

Exhibiting opportunities still available! Contact Maren Amdal or Mike Lingvall.  

For more information and to register, please click HERE.

(following our career conference)

at the Millenium Hotel   

Millenium Hotel

1313 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403-2697 

Event:  5:00 - 6:30 PM 

FREE!

For more information and to register, please click HERE.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:  

Board Nomination Committee 

  Now forming ...

The CFA Society of Minnesota will have a few Board positions open up in September, the beginning of the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  Former Board President, Tony Carideo, is now forming a Nominating Committee.  This ad-hoc subcommittee will have the primary role of identifying and recommending a slate for Board election. Two to three members at large are needed to join two to three members from our current Board of Directors to enact this search.  Contact Tony Carideo if you are interested in participating on this subcommittee.  

CFA Minnesota Media Directory

Great New Member Asset in development!

The CFA Society of Minnesota is pleased to announce the launch of our Media Directory project, an exciting opportunity for the members of CFAMN to connect and communicate with the local community.  The Media Directory is meant to do what Cliffs Notes did for English Class: help the average guy find someone who can cut to the point and provide a better understanding of finance related topics.  This directory will be a phonebook-like listing of qualified members of CFAMN who are willing to answer the phone and able to share their expertise on a range of specific industry topics.  Members will be categorized by their area of expertise, complete with a biography and photograph, and will have the opportunity for public speaking experience and coaching.  Directories will be distributed to the media, academia, and others looking for answers from CFAMN members willing to provide them.  We're hoping this multiyear, expansive endeavor to connect CFAMN members with others in the community looking for a better understanding of all things finance will become the definitive repository for local financial expertise in the greater Twin Cities area.  If you are interested in being listed in the directory or would like to help us as a volunteer on the project, please fill out the attached interest form and email it to info@cfamn.org.  We look forward to this great opportunity for our members and community! 

For more information, click here.  To be listed in the directory, click here.

If you'd like to get involved with the development of this resource, contact Sam Smith or Karen Florez.  

2012 Annual Economic Dinner Sub-Committee  

  Now forming ...

It is time to identify and hire the speaker for our 2012 Annual Economic Dinner.  If you would like to contribute to our largest annual event, this is the time to hop on board!  To be a part of this selection process, please contact Maren Amdal immediately. 

To feature an open position at your firm, click here

January Events Summary

Other industry related associations may submit relevant listings directly to info@cfamn.org

Monthly Luncheon:

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act  

 

Join ACG Minnesota as we look at FCPA Transactional Diligence and Successor Liability:  Managing the Art of the Deal in an Aggressive Enforcement Environment

 

This discussion focuses on how to identify, investigate, understand, close over and then mitigate FCPA risks to avoid multi-million dollar fines and criminal liability associated with the FCPA when investing in or acquiring an international business.

 

Moderator: Troy Duncan Grant Thornton

Panelists: Kevin Bennett, Grant Thornton; Ray Eby, 3M; George Martin, Faegre & Benson

Click here for more information and to register.

CANDIDATE OPPORTUNITIES:  

CFA Minnesota is happy to continue our collaboration with the Boston, MA, affiliate of the CFA Institute.    

   
April is here and that means so is the BSAS Practice Exam!  

In collaboration with the Boston, Massachusetts affiliate of the CFA Institute, we are pleased to offer the following for your personal use:

1. Practice Exam - US$149.  A full-length, properly formatted practice exam based on CFA Institute's 2011 Body of Knowledge® which includes a detailed answer key with LOS and curriculum references, and calculations.

2. Online Test Bank - as a special offer, receive FREE (a US$99 value) access to extra exam questions online: 700 Level I questions, 360 for Level II, and 180multiple choice questions plus 30 constructed responses for Level III candidates - grouped by topical area.

To purchase:  visit www.bsas.org/pe. Upon purchase, enter the access code (Minnesota) to receive the online test bank for free and test yourself for success!

Level I, II & III Study Groups

If you are planning to sit for any level of the CFA exam in June, 2011, we want to help you find a study group!  If you are interested in establishing a group in your neighborhood (or downtown), please contact Volunteer Travis Hoium for more information.