Domestic Estate Managers Association

The DEMA Chronicle 
 
October 2010 Issue
Featured Article
Chapter Meetings & Special Events
Private Service Professional Spotlight Featuring Penny Speir
New World Class Service Providers
Surveys
 
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Thank you to all of our sponsors that have made our meetings FREE over the last four months!!! 

Please visit their websites to find out more about these Great companies!

 Allbright 
 
Dale Nichols Antiques Specialists
 
 Gander and White
 
 
 Stonemark
 
 
Lindquist Logo
 
 
Custom Comfort Logo
 
 
FR
 
 
Magnums Butlers
 
 
Pioneer Linens
 
 
miele
 
 
IIMB
 
 
PHM Logo
 
 
PSOW Vertical

 
CMA M
 
 
TLHRM
 
 
3 C's
 
ADT
 
 
Bernacki
 
CBP
 
Cuisiniers
 
Christian Brothers
 
Hester
 
kennicott
 
LCI Margarets
 
LCI Meurice
 
LifeWorks

 
Grand Home Automation
 
Hulett
 
Montisque 
 
nanak 
 
Oak Electric
 
Parma
 
RPC
 
Terry Dowd
 
Trevarrow, Inc.
 
Capital Guardian
 
DSI Entertainment
 
Varda
 
HSN
  
What's New...
 
Record-breaking month for DEMA!!!
 
DEMA is excited to report that 71 new Members have joined the association in the month of September!  In the last 30 days we have broken our previous record of 65 new Professional Members joining in one month!  This could have never been accomplished without the support of our loyal membership referring their peers across the country and abroad.  So if you know someone who is not familiar with the association, do not hesitate to refer them to join DEMA.  Imagine if everyone referred just one new person each month.  What can we accomplish together before the end of 2010? 
 
In December we will be publishing our end of the year progress report, so please stay tuned!
 
 

S.FL Sept 2010

 South Florida Chapter Meeting September 2010
 
 
 
 
DEMA Housekeeping Items 
 
Surveys
DEMA will be holding a end of the year survey, and this year we are going to do them the old fashioned way, by phone!  Please take a few minutes to participate in this survey, membership representatives will call all members to do a brief survey to find out how we can serve you better in 2011 and what programs you personally would like to see implemented.  
 
DEMA Dental & Vision Insurance 
Our goal of enrollment for our insurance program is 175 members, so far we have 57.  Soon we will be announcing a webinar with more information about the program.  We will also be announcing the web address for enrollment within 2 weeks.   If you would like to participate please email us directly with any questions or your intent to join the program.
 
Meeting Schedule for the rest of the year 
We have polled the membership chapters and have decided to combine the November and December meetings into one meeting.  This meeting will be held during the first week of December chapter wide.  (Meetings dates to be announced.)  Due to busy holiday schedules, we felt this was more practical.  Going forward, there will be 11 DEMA Chapters meetings per year.
  
 
 
 
As always we encourage you to email or call us with any feedback or questions.
Sincerely,
Michael Wright
DEMA National Vice President
 
 
 
Featured Article
  by

Grand Home Automation

 

Please click on the title below to view:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chapter Meetings & Special Events
 
 
Please save these dates in your calendar 
 
 
 
West Palm Beach Oct. 25th, Southeast Florida.... Register Here! 
 
 
Orlando Oct. 26thCentral Florida.... Register Here!
 
 
 
NYC Cab Pic Oct. 25th, NYC, NY.... Register Here! 
 
Detroit Oct. 26th, Southeast Michigan.... Register Here!
 
 
Chicago Oct. 27th, Chicago, IL.... Register Here! 
  
 
L.A. Oct. 20th, Los Angeles, CA.... Register Here! 
 
 
San Diego Oct. 21st, Orange County, CA.... Register Here! 
 
  
White House Oct. 17th, Washington D.C... Register Here!  
 
 
 
Columbus  Oct. 28th, Columbus, OH...  Register Here! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private Service Professional Spotlight
 
~ Featuring ~
 
Penny Speir 
 
 
Q: How did you get started in the Industry?
 
A: 
My career started as an international flight supervisor for a South American airline, with responsibility for passenger relations, all service and food on board, aircraft andPenny Speir crew paperwork.  I transitioned into a 17 year long position managing two properties and a staff of seven, with a busy entertaining schedule that transferred between private and corporate. 

Q:  Do you have any formal training or degrees for Household Management? 
 
A: 
In January 2010 I graduated with honors as a Certified Butler and Household Manager from the prestigious Charles MacPherson Academy in Toronto, Canada.  I chose this particular academy because it was the best fit for my requirements.  More information at:
Q:  What have been some of the more difficult situations that you have run into on the job?
 
A:  Many qualities will be required at this level.  Flexibility was key in one position where the principal was constantly changing her decisions.  In another I discovered that a staff member with ten year tenure had been stealing cash from the principal.   When it had been established that the person was definitely the culprit, immediate dismissal ensued in a discreet manner.  
 
 
 
Q:   What type of principal or homeowner do you prefer to work for?
 
A:  
 I prefer to work for individuals who have a high sense of integrity and fairness.  This will develop into a feeling of the deepest respect from both parties.  I enjoy a certain degree of variety within my job, rolling up my sleeves one day to lay the fireplaces and serving V.I.P.'s with élan on the next.  
 
Q:   What direction would you like to see the Private Service Industry take in the future?
 
A:   
 At the economic level of the majority of principals, there will always be the need for private service.  My choice would be to see a return to some of the "Old World" values at the private service level, never sacrificing professionalism for that passion to serve with joy.  I would also like to see the development of a higher level of environmental consciousness in the homes of the elite.
 
Q:   What are your goals for the future?
 
A:   To become that irreplaceable, not indispensable, manager for my principals.

 

 

Q:   What are your interests and hobbies?
 
A:   
  I am an avid cook and try to keep up with current trends in the food industry, having operated my own catering company a few years ago.  I enjoy yoga, walking, backgammon, bridge and a good conversation about diverse topics.

 

.

 

  
 
 

World Class Service Providers

 

Welcome our newest providers to our member directory!

 
 
 
 
BSH Landscaping - Beverly Hills, CA 
 
 
DSI Entertainment Systems - West Hollywood, CA
 
 
 
 
Capital Guardian

 

 
 
DSI Entertainment
 
 
 
 
 
BSH
 
 
 
 
Please visit their websites for more information on these great companies! 
 
                4         1            How it works- referral
  
 

The DEMA Dental, Hearing & Vision Insurance Program

 
We are proud to announce that after months of negotiations DEMA is finally ready to reveal the details of a National Insurance Plan!  We are starting with Dental, Hearing & Vision to build up a history of coverage with our membership to transition into a larger, full - health insurance plan. It is imperative that we have a good percentage of members elect to participate in this plan in order to move forward and drive our premiums as low as possible.  Together all of our members:  Private Service Professionals, Principals, Service Providers, Placement Agencies, Affiliates, Schools and Educators will be able to participate and leverage the power of an Association to have affordable coverage! 
 
Only paid members in good standing will be able to participate in this program, so any Private Service Professional will not be eligible until they become a paid member after the FREE three month trial membership has expired.  If you are a current Professional member and your trial has or is about to expire please click on the Paypal button of your choice to become a full member and take advantage of the DEMA National Insurance Plan.  If you fall into one of our other membership types, you and your employees will be eligible to participate as well.
 
Enrollment will begin October 1st and we will have webinars on the specific details of the plans available in the month of October. Open enrollment will last until the end of 2010 with a target date of coverage to start on January 1, 2011.  Premiums will depend on where you live in the country, but range from $30-$55 per month on average depending on which plan you choose.  Please see the attached PDFs for further explanation of the plans available and the rates.  These rates are subject to change slightly.  As always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to email info@domesticmanagers.com or call us directly.  Please click the links below to download the PDFs. 
 
 
 
 
We look forward to bringing more value to your DEMA membership and be sure to look for more great things before the end of 2010! 
 
  

Dues for Private Service Professionals & Principal Homeowners

Over the last two years DEMA has been offering complimentary trial memberships.  We will continue to do so with different offerings, currently we have a three month complimentary trial to help new Members become more familiar with the Association.  Once your trial expires you will receive an invoice with different options for Membership packages. Join now by using this link.
 
 
 
To become a paid Private Service Professional Member click one of the Paypal buttons below, you do not need a Paypal account to use this feature.
 
 
One Year - $49.95                        Three Year - $119.95                        Five Year - $199.95
 
        Buy Now                                         Buy Now                                                  Buy Now
 
 
 
DEMA will continue to keep our Membership pricing affordable so all professionals in the industry can afford to participate in the Association!  We are able to do so thanks to the support of our loyal Affiliates, Sponsors and Service Provider Members!
 
 
 
 Surveys
 
In an effort to provide the greatest benefit to our members DEMA would like your input.

We have developed two short surveys to gather information that will help us to better serve you. The first survey will collect basic demographic information that allows us to study trends in the Private Service industry, such as the location of jobs, salary ranges, and training opportunities. The second survey asks for member input on a possible DEMA sponsored Private Service Conferences. Your thoughts, ideas and interests will enable us to tailor the conference to the needs of our members. Both surveys should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. We appreciate your time and input.
 
 
To view the entire list of Service Providers and to find one in your area, become a DEMA member and click on the Member Directory tab on the website.

Do you know someone who would benefit from becoming a member of the Domestic Estate Managers Association? Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to them. We always welcome new members!

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