Member Benefits

Member Services - “Buddy Program”

VETERAN JOB DESCRIPTION

TIME COMMITMENT: Three Months
EXPECTATIONS: Veteran Buddy will:

• During the first month arrange for at least one meeting outside MPI/Sacramento.
• Invite Rookie Buddy to the following MPI/Sacramento events: accompany them or arrange to meet at a specific time and place.
  • Any meeting during the 3-month period,
  • Any Special Event or Workshop,
  • Orientation Meeting if held during the 3-month period. If an Orientation Meeting is not held during the period be sure they know what the meeting is about and encourage them to attend the next one,
  • Any Regular meeting of the Board of Directors, if possible, (Call MPI/S office for details and advise staff and President if attending),
  • At lease one committee meeting, (If Veteran Buddy is on a committee, this is the logical choice. If this is not the case, ask Rookie if they have a preference. Call the Committee Chair for meeting details and ask if a visit is okay.)

The following should be discussed:

• MPI/S Chapter organization
  1. Role of the Board of Directors
  2. Committee Structure (What they do, how to get on a committee, why volunteer for committee, etc.)
  3. MPI (International) Organization and Role
• Directories from both MPI and MPI/S--these are resources and contain lots of information beyond names and addresses.
• At the end of the 3-month period, both Veteran and Rookie should complete and return the project evaluation form provided at the beginning of the pairing.

ROOKIE BUDDY JOB DESCRIPTION

TIME COMMITMENT: Three Months
EXPECTATIONS: Rookie Buddy will:

• Take an active part in advancing the partnership by contacting your Veteran Buddy to facilitate making the above arrangements.
• Be sure to check out our “About MPI” page under "Join MPI" for complete information on the benefits of joining MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada.
• MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada’s strength lies in its volunteers and volunteer leadership.  Thus, recruiting new members is vital to ensure that ongoing strength.

Download Buddy Program Application

How Do I Recruit New Members?

Guests are invited to attend up to three MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada luncheons, which are held the third Tuesday of each month, beginning at 11:15 AM.  Membership applications are available at the luncheons or by contacting the Sacramento office.

To recruit a new member, collect his or her name, company, position, address, phone and fax numbers and submit the details to MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada staff.  Staff will then send the potential member an information packet that includes a letter of introduction, an application form, chapter newsletter, special program announcements and a MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada brochure.

Once the application completes the membership application and mails it along with the proper payment to the MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada office, staff will establish a member file and direct the application and payment to the MPI office in Dallas, where the individual will be added to the MPI membership files.  The new member will receive the MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada directory and begin to receive the chapter newsletter.  When the process is complete, Dallas will send a new member packet that includes the MPI Directory, Meeting Professional magazine and various other member benefits and service information.

What Are the Membership Categories?

Planner Members are individuals who are primarily engaged in planning and managing meetings.

Supplier Members are individuals who are primarily engaged in supplying goods and services to the meeting industry.  Suppliers are required to be matched with a planner applicant before being accepted for full membership.  If an applicant does not have a match, the supplier should send the application to the MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada office in order to become a Temporary Member.

Temporary Members are matched with the next available planner applicant.  As a temporary member, the supplier will receive mailings and information from the MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter, even though MPI headquarters in Dallas will not acknowledge the membership until the application is submitted with the planner match.

Student Membership is available to individuals actively enrolled full-time in a post-secondary academic program with emphasis in the meetings/hospitality industries that will lead to qualifying for regular membership as either a Planner or Supplier.  Students enrolled in a meeting planning certificate program are eligible. Students can convert to Planner/Supplier members in a four step dues process. 

Affiliate Membership is extended by our chapter to Planner or Supplier members who are already members in another MPI chapter.  Under the policies of MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada, affiliate  members have all the rights and privileges of other chapter members, except they may hot hold elective office or vote.