PRESIDENT'S LETTER                                                                                                                                   
Dear Members of CRC,

Spring is in the air - as we here in Chicago have experienced first hand over the past week or so with our early-Spring 70 degree weather.  I don't know if it's the crisp air or simply the melting of our everlasting snow mounds, but it does provide a renewed energy and outlook to the spring and summer months ahead.

We were very energized by our exciting and well attended February meeting at the Northern Trust where over 160 attended and enjoyed the sessions, silent auction and networking with our colleagues and friends.  Thank you to Sandy Christensen and her team at the Northern Trust who welcomed us again this year.  The combined efforts of our speakers, sponsors, donations and those who participated and organized the event, allowed the CRC to raise over $13,500 and contribute to three charities this year:  Rebuilding Together, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Worldwide ERC Foundation for Workforce Mobility.  Your generosity speaks volumes to our organization's heart and energy.

We look to the Annual Midwest Conference on April 20 & 21 hosted in St. Louis by the St. Louis Regional Group and hope that many of you can attend and offer support.  Lynn Bragg of the Worldwide ERC is the Opening Speaker as well as Al Blumenberg as ERC's 2009 President will be addressing the attendees during the conference.  More information can be found by going to www.stlerc.org.

I'd be remiss if I were to end my article without mentioning our current state of the industry, but those of you who know me, know that I want to end on a positive comment.  Today, we're faced with many changes, situations and conditions that many of us have not seen in a long time or some of us have never experienced before.  As we look to the coming months, keep in mind that positive thoughts are not enough. There have to be positive feelings and positive actions.  We can't stop negative circumstances from happening in either our personal and business lives, but we can learn ways to protect our energy so that we can stay centered in dealing with the stresses that arise.

So, enjoy the Spring-time weather, take a walk, shoot 9 or 18 and surround yourself with your "golf balls" as I spoke about at our February meeting to enhance the positive energy that's currently is in your life.  Enjoy!

Pam Jacknick
2009 CRC President

Education Committee Updates

In these unique economic times it is more important than ever to hone our skills to be of greater value to our customers and employers.  The following are two opportunities for CRC Members.

CRP Review Class

The CRC Education is working hard to plan another successful CRP Review Class which is scheduled for Thursday, April 16th at the Paragon Decision Resources Warrenville, IL location.  Once again, Barbara Springer has secured an excellent and well respected team of industry professionals to handle the various topics.  CRC has been offering the review sessions for more than 15 years to help support or members gain further knowledge of the industry.  Please go to the CRC web site for further information and registration instructions.

Industry Overviews on the CRC Web Site - Each CRC member has a world of knowledge.  The Education Committee with the help of volunteer members is building the web site with short and insightful overviews to share industry specific knowledge with CRC Members and the public.  These can be found by searching under the service provider tab or education tab on the CRC web site.  We encourage members to use these overviews to secure basic knowledge about the important services provided by relocation professionals. Look for new additions in the next few weeks!

The Chronicle Survey

I wanted to thank our members who took the time to complete the survey on The ChRoniCle and congratulate Maureen Longoria of Promisor Relocation as the winner of the Amex Gift Card. 

The top five topics for future articles in the newsletter are listed below.  I'll be reaching out to members for help with these articles.  If you see a topic in which you'd like to share your expertise, please contact me at stoenies@ameritech.net and I'll be happy to work with you to meet our member's needs.

Corporate Relocation Policies
The Real Estate Industry
Lending and the Availability of Funds
The Appraisal Industry
Corporate/Temporary Housing
Again, thank you for participating in the survey!

Susan Toenies, CRP

CRC February 26 Meeting Overview

The Chicago Corporate Relocation Council (CRC) conducted its first meeting of 2009 at the Northern Trust corporate offices in downtown Chicago - a location that is fast becoming a tradition within CRC as its preferred venue to kick off a New Year.  Despite the blustery and stormy weather outside (which could be a reflection of our turbulent economic times), the CRC February event achieved a record turnout by its membership - 164 attendees in all.

This year's program began with an afternoon registration followed by the opening of bidding with the CRC Annual Silent Auction.  Held in conjunction with CRC's educational program covering hot topics within the relocation industry, the Silent Auction is a primary fundraiser for CRC's charitable mission.  The afternoon continued with a general business meeting, which featured opening remarks by Pam Jacknick, CRC's 2009 President, along with reports from each of the officers from the CRC Board of Directors.  In addition, the Charitable Causes Committee provided an introduction to the Chicago Food Depository, which has been designated as one of the recipients of CRC's charitable support in 2009.

Following the completion of the general business meeting, attendees were provided the opportunity to attend back-to-back Round Table breakout sessions covering relevant industry topics.  This year's attendees were able to select from 7 hot topics, including such roundtables as "International Cost Containment" and "Mortgage Loan Limits & Guidelines".   The educational portion then continued with an Economic Update, which featured Ms. Asha Bangalore, Assistant Economist for The Northern Trust Corporation.  Ms. Bangalore provided a sobering assessment of the current U.S. economy along with Northern Trust's outlook for 2009.

With the completion of the educational programs, the CRC event culminated with a cocktail reception and the results of the Annual Silent Auction.  The Charitable Causes Committee reported that over $13,500 was raised and CRC was able to contribute to three charities this year:  Rebuilding Together, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Worldwide ERC Foundation for Workforce Mobility.  Thank you to all participants for their charitable spirit and most generous contributions!

Appraisers Balancing Standards with Client "special" Requests

In response to the deteriorating real estate market, employers began giving relocation appraisers "special" instructions aimed at controlling the results of the appraisals.  Among them are some that may be unethical or illegal for the appraiser to comply with while others present potential tax and legal problems for the client.  To respond to these requests, Relocation Appraisers and Consultants (RAC) appointed a "White Paper" committee and charged it with the task of sorting out which instructions can, or cannot, be complied with and why.  The resulting White Paper has been published on RAC'S web site (www.RAC.net).  It identifies which client practices are illegal or unethical for the appraiser to comply with as well as identifying practices that may cause the IRS to disqualify the transfer from its tax-protected status.   

The findings of the White Paper represent their unanimous conclusions.  So, what are they? Click here to find out: www.rac.net/library/RAC_White_Paper.pdf

What To Tell Your Clients - Fact or Myth

There is a tremendous amount of questionable information on the web regarding moving your pet.  This is compounded by the fact people often turn to the airlines for advice.  The problem is the passenger information representatives are not trained on pet travel requirements so they often give wrong or inconsistent information.

We wanted to tackle a couple of the more frequently asked questions so you can quickly (and correctly!) advise your clients regarding moving their pets.

Myth - There are Pet Only airlines.  Fact - All pets fly on commercial flights.
At the current time there are no Pet Only airlines.  All pets fly on commercial and cargo airlines.

Myth - My pet can fly in the cabin with me.  Fact - Most pets fly in the cargo area of the airplane.
The vast majority of pets fly in the cargo compartment of the plane.  If the pet is small enough to fit under the seat (about 15 pounds or less) AND the airline you choose allows, he may be able to fly in cabin.  It is wise to double check this with the specific airline as information is often inconsistent.

Myth - My pet will freeze/suffocate to death in the cargo hold.  Fact - The holds where pets fly are pressurized and temperature controlled.
The cargo holds where pets fly are the same temperature and pressure as within the passenger cabin as it is the same air circulated throughout the entire aircraft.  On some larger planes there are indeed cargo compartments which are not temperature controlled, however pets are not loaded in these areas.

Myth - I'll just book my pet as excess baggage.  Fact - It is not always that easy.
Many airlines do not allow pets at all.  Others restrict the time of year they can travel as excess baggage as well as the number of pets which can travel on a certain flight.  Also, the size of the pet is a big factor as larger dogs can only fit on a few types of aircraft.  Pet owners should call the cargo department of the airline they would like to use (not the main number for passenger reservations) and make sure the flight they would like is available for pets.

Myth - So I have to use a Pet Moving Company?  Fact - No, you can do it yourself.
For most domestic moves, a careful pet owner can arrange for relocation on their own.  However, there are many pitfalls and advanced planning and follow up is crucial.  A Pet Moving service is certainly recommended for the majority of international relocations as one missed detail can mean months of quarantine or refusal of entry.

The above FAQ was provided by Animal Land Pet Movers.

                     MEMBER HAPPENINGS                            

Congratulations to Barbara Springer, CRP, GMS, who has been elected to the U.S. Advisory Council for ERC..... NuCompass Mobility Services Inc., a newly formed company, purchased Hewitt Mobility in March 2009.  NuCompass Mobility Services Inc., a newly formed company, purchased by Frank Patitucci, a well known industry leader a long term relationship to the organization.  With a 43-year legacy of providing full service relocation management services for US Domestic Services, International Relocation Management, and Expatriate Administration.  The company is headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, and operates full service offices in Dallas, TX and Norwalk, CT.

    From our Historian .... 

Worldwide ERC has announced that Craig Anderson, President of C.E. Anderson & Company, Rolling Meadows IL., has earned a 2009 Distinguished Service Award for his many noteworthy contributions to the Worldwide ERC. By earning a Distinguished Service Award, Craig has also achieved Senior Certified Relocation Professional status. He is one of only 199 Worldwide ERC members who hold this elevated professional designation, and will be recognized at the National Relocation Conference in San Diego California in May.

As the CRC Historian and as a fellow member I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Craig on this special accomplishment. Current members who preceded Craig in attaining their Distinguished Service Award and the SCRP designation are:

Cori Beaudet     - SC Johnson
Ron Bomba       - Bomba Gargano Valuation, Inc.
Jack Clark         - FMC Technologies Inc.
Jack Craven       - Weichert Relocation Resources
Larry Gersch      - Kraft Foods, Inc.
Bob Headrick     - Robert E. Headrick & Associates, Inc.
Jo Lay               - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Pam O'Connor   -  Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®
Chip Wagner      - A.L. Wagner Appraisal Group, Inc.                                                   
                                                                                       

 INTERVIEW WITH DAVE SMITH
   RELO Direct

   2009 Board Member

                                                                                                            

What are your thoughts on what is happening in the relocation industry today?  The need for thought leadership and innovative thinking will be critical to our industry's long term success.  As an industry, we have been applying many of the same rules, processes and/or procedures to handle corporate relocations for many years, and now is the time to examine why or determine if there is a better way. 

How did you become involved in relocation? When I graduated from college in December 1991 the job market was difficult - although nothing like it is now.  My sister was working for Prudential Relocation in Shelton, CT as a real estate closer and put in a good word for me with some of the other managers at Prudential.  I interviewed a couple of weeks later and started my career in relocation at the end January 1992 as a relocation associate. 

Please share with the members your past work experience prior to entering the industry.  While in college, I worked for an asbestos abatement company in CT.  As you can image, the money was great, but the hazards were many.  I can remember working in the boiler room of a large hospital removing asbestos when the soles of my workboats began to catch fire because I was standing on the exposed boiler.  The problem was not so much that my shoes were catching on fire as it was that OSHA was on the job site monitoring the work being done.  It's never good to be stomping your feet trying to put out the smoke coming from your boots inside an asbestos containment site while OSHA is standing right there watching. Asbestos abatement was the hardest job I've ever had, although it did pay for my college tuition.

What are the biggest changes you have seen since becoming involved with the relocation industry? The use of technology has significantly improved the relocation experience for transferees, clients and service partners.  Whether it's client access to systems, the ability for transferee's to submit expense reports electronically from anywhere in the world at any time, placing orders to service partners with a push of the button, it certainly beats the way we did things when I first started in relocation.

What is one interesting comment or thought that someone has shared with you recently regarding the industry that caused you to think differently about relocation? Roger Atchinson, a VP of Sales & Marketing for RELO Direct®, has been working with our clients regarding the need to take a more comprehensive look at talent management strategies and whether we are moving the right people for the right reasons. Today, we are experiencing a situation with relocation where the national real estate and mortgage industries are in chaos and causing havoc with corporations and relocation programs.  While relocation costs are increasing, we are also finding that many relocation programs today are now ineffective in supporting the needs of the business and their talent management programs.

What was your inspiration to join the Board of Directors of CRC?  A friend and client of mine, Sylkia Negron of FMC Technologies, suggested that I get involved in CRC, and I am glad she did.  CRC is great organization, and the people on the board with whom I work are extremely dedicated to the work CRC does.

What are you hoping to achieve working with the CRC Board, Committees and Members? As "special projects" chairperson, my goal is to look for ways to enhance our members' experience with CRC, whether that is better use of technology or how we interact/communicate with our member base.  I will also be working with other regional groups on how we might be able to work together to leverage our buying power collectively, strengthen our partnerships and improve processes.

Are there any "words of wisdom" that you would like to share with the members regarding CRC?  Take advantage of the education opportunities offered by CRC.  While networking is an important part of why members join CRC, the high quality educational opportunities are many.

Are there any interesting tidbits about you that you would like to share with the Members? The old adage is that "once in relocation always in relocation."  While this is true for most of us, I did leave relocation for a couple of years to run my own small business totally outside of relocation.  I opened a landscaping and property maintenance company that primarily served office parks and condominiums associations.  While it was great to work outside during the summary months, it also meant that I was always working.  I was the accountant, hiring manager, salesman and client service manager all rolled into one.  I decided to return to a profession that I had always enjoyed being a part of, and the experience of owning a small business has helped me in many ways in my current position.

If you weren't in the relocation industry or doing what you are doing now, what would you be doing and where? My son Andrew and I were recently looking through an old scrapbook of mine from my high school basketball-playing days.  (I really wasn't' any good, but he didn't know that!)  We spent about an hour and a half talking about basketball.  Andrew then joined the YMCA basketball program and convinced me to be the coach.  I have had a blast teaching these young boys and girls the basics of basketball, sportsmanship and teamwork.  It has made me realize that my dream job would be to be a teacher and coach.

Interview with Lisa Burns
2009 Board Member                

Employer:  Equity Corporate Housing

What are your thoughts on what is happening in the relocation industry today?  It's certainly keeping us all on our toes!  It's time to focus on the basics, adjust to fit today's requirements, enhance your services and all work together more then ever before to keep the momentum moving forward.  Everyone that works in Relocation understands the complexity and ever changing environment even during "good times" so during a challenging economy we'll continue to see new processes to achieve the same desired results - a successful relocation!

How did you become involved in relocation?  Right out of college I decided to get my real estate license.  I spent a short stint selling real estate then moved into corporate housing through a college friend working for Habitat at Presidential Towers.  Besides a few years outside of the Industry (we all come back!) I've been involved with relocation for over 14 years.

Please share with the members your past work experience prior to entering the industry.  I spent a short time in Production with a local cable company.  I was also in Property Management and Training with Trammell Crow for 4 years.

What are the biggest changes you have seen since becoming involved with the relocation industry?  Global relocation.  It was happening when I started, but over the last 20 years we've gone from Domestic and International to Global.

What is one interesting comment or thought that someone has shared with you recently regarding the industry that caused you to think differently about relocation?  We still need the right people in the right places; we just have to adjust our programs to align with our company's new financial plan.  This means OPPORTUNITY!  The pendulum swings, jump on and look for innovate ways to improve our industry!

What was your inspiration to join the Board of Directors of CRC?  I've been a member of CRC for years, with the last few on the program committee.  I truly enjoyed being involved, so when contacted about joining the board due to board changes I jumped at the chance. 

What are you hoping to achieve working with the CRC Board, Committees and Members?  We have an incredible group of highly skilled professionals that belong to CRC, participate on committees and serve on the board.  It is my hope to give as much to CRC as I have received over the years.  As the Chair of the Membership committee our group will work hard to maintain and grow membership, adding active corporate and service members to amplify our already vibrant organization. 

Are there any "words of wisdom" that you would like to share with the members regarding CRC?  It takes everyone's input and support to maintain the high level quality meetings offered through CRC.  If you ever feel you're not benefiting as a member we need to hear from you!  Please share your suggestions with any of the board members.  It's through your feedback that CRC will continue to be the valuable resource it's been for years!

Are there any interesting tidbits about you that you would like to share with the Members?  I used to think having triplets was an interesting tidbit, but now anything under 8 babies at one time doesn't hold the same weight! My husband and I have 10 year old triplets, two sons and one daughter - I love age 10!

If you weren't in the relocation industry or doing what you are doing now, what would you be doing and where?  I would be accepting awards for my television editing, right here in Chicago!