Member Spotlight
The January member spotlight is on Melissa Heeke, CAE, the Director of Communications and Marketing for the National Chimney Sweep Guild. The National Chimney Sweep Guild is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. The NCSG is a trade association representing around 1,000 members across the country. Melissa started her career with the association as the Certification Coordinator nine years ago this month. In her current role, Melissa has a variety of responsibilities including: Editor of Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting technology, managing online presence and social media involvement, NCSG marketing including the annual convention, and member benefits through various programs such as the coupon program, Sweeps Advantage Program just to name a few! Prior to joining NCSG, Melissa earned her undergraduate degree in Public Relations from Indiana State University and she currently is working toward her masters in leadership development from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Some other recent accomplishments include a featured article in the January 2010 issue of Consumer Reports and earning her CAE designation in 2009. In addition to her own professional accomplishments, Melissa and the NCSG recently received their first STAR Award for the Best Annual Convention over $750,000 in 2009. Melissa is an active member of ISAE and recently assisted in hosting and proctoring the May 2009 CAE exam at the NCSG offices.
I had the opportunity to ask Melissa a few questions about her position and experience with the National Chimney Sweep Guild and this is what she had to say:
Q: What is the biggest challenge you are dealing with in your position with NCSG?
A: Membership recruitment is at the top of the list. The trade is strong, but is not growing in number of potential members. In conjunction with recruitment we have to fight the stigma that the association is necessary for the potential members. As a whole, chimney sweep professionals are very entrepreneurial and sometimes do not see a need in joining an association.
Q: What is your current professional goal?
A: I am open to an opportunity to advance into an Executive Director position for a trade association and the professional development opportunities that will make that a reality for me in the next few years.
Q: What are your talents that you feel your members benefit from most?
A: My ability to relate to many different kinds of people, from the technician just entering the work force to the veteran board members. I also have my eye for design and the ability to measure the success of our marketing efforts.
Q: Have you read a good book lately that you think other ISAE members could benefit from reading?
A: Socialnomics by Erik Qualman
Q: What is something that people may not know about the National Chimney Sweep Guild?
A: Every few years the White House has to have a chimney sweep company come in and the company used for the service is an active member of NCSG.
I want to thank Melissa for taking the time to participate as the first member spotlight for ISAE.
If you know someone who should be in the member spotlight, please email your recommendations to Katie.