Happy Procurement Month Chapter Members,
Procurement Month. In March, we acknowledge all our professionals who make a difference in procurement. This month provides the opportunity to help educate elected officials, administrators, our communities, and vendors about the procurement process and the commendable work our members perform every day. It honors all of the dedicated purchasing staff members in government agencies and private businesses. Thank you to all Procurement professionals for your dedication and steadfastness. You do make a difference!
If your Governing Body recognizes your agency for Procurement Month, please send a copy of your proclamation to secretary@cfcnigp.org for inclusion in the next newsletter. We would love to recognize all the achievements of our agencies and members! Also, please let us know of any other awards.
March Membership Meeting and Workshop. Please join us on Friday, March 28th, 2025, for our Chapter Membership Meeting and Spring Workshop: Join us for Kim Cullen with the NIGP Business Council for AI in Public Procurement: Tools, Trends, and Transformation and Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Supplier Collaboration in Public Procurement in the morning and Carrie Mathes and Zulay Millan with Orange County for Organic Leadership. (Minimum of 3 contact hours). Workshop pricing is $20 for virtual and in-person attendance. The Chapter Membership Meeting is at 9:00 AM. Spring Workshop is between 10 AM – 3 PM. Register at March 28, 2025 Membership Meeting and Workshop - Events - Central Florida Chapter of NIGP.
Awards. Join us at our March Membership Meeting to congratulate our annual Buyer, Manager, and Member of the Year award winners!
Vice President. It is with a sadden heart that we must bid farewell to Chris Coghill as our Vice President. She had to resign due to personal reasons. Thank you for your three (3) years of service! You will be missed on the Board! In accordance with the By-Laws, the Board of Directors has appointed Luis Aviles, Assistant Procurement Services Director, with the Osceola Board of County Commissioners, to the position of Vice President. Luis has been a Chapter Member since 2011, serving on various committees/task forces over the years. At the March Membership Meeting the Chapter Members will be able to vote him into office.
Pro-D Opportunities Scholarships. Congratulations to our scholarship winners! We started the year off strongly with FREE Pro-D Opportunities Scholarships for 10 Chapter Members to NIGP VCON Technology and Innovation! This is for 24.5 contact hours. It is scheduled for April 29 – May 1, 2025. NIGP FORUM (In-Person) and NIGP FORUM (Virtual) Pro-D Opportunities Surveys close on March 7th, 2025. RTS Room opportunities are on website site. NIGP FORUM winners will be announced at the Chapter Meeting.
NEW Pro-D Opportunities Scholarship. We are offering a Chapter Hosted In-Person Class, in DeLand FL. The 2-day, 16 contact hour class, is Specialization Certificate: Request for Proposals ($372 value), on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 to Thursday, June 12, 2025. We are excited to announce the instructor is Mr. Kirk W. Buffington, MLS, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, FNIGP, MBA, C.P.M.! The survey is open to active members on our website to April 2, 2025.
Nominations. Interested in becoming an officer? Call for nominations is this year. You are welcome to shadow any officer, come to board meetings, etc. Applications are due July 2025 to Kristine Rodriguez at Rodriguez.Kristine@Brevardschools.org.
Reverse Trade Show. Join us on Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld!!! Scholarship points can be used! Registration is available on our website. Be on the lookout for room giveaways on our website. Marketing materials will be provided to you soon.
NCPP Above & Beyond Awards. March's National Procurement Month is approaching and NCPP will rolling out the nomination period next week for the annual Above & Beyond Awards. It would be great to have some nominations from Central Florida! Twelve individuals and 3 teams will be recognized throughout that month, and this is where you come in - we need your nomination! Please take the time to nominate that person, manager or peer who really goes Above & Beyond in their procurement role. Or that team that truly makes a difference for the entire organization - there is a chance to recognize them too!
Nomination period just opened and here is the link to the form which includes a display of previous winners. Everyone complains that procurement doesn't get enough recognition and thanks - here's your chance to make that happen for someone! Deadline: March 21, 2025
Scholarship Log. If you have completed a 2024 Scholarship Application, points should be on the Scholarship Log by the March Membership and Workshop. Thank you for your patience as our team members work diligently reviewing your applications!
Mentoring Committee. If you are interested in being a mentor or a mentee, please contact Chair Fatima Calkins at Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at FCalkins@goaa.org and 407-825-2044 (office phone). Do you have questions or answers on procurement or Chapter matters? This is great opportunity to build a relationship with another member! We are looking for both mentors and mentees.
NIGP Leadership Summit 2025. On February 20-22, 2025, NIGP held the Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL, providing development for our current and future leaders. The summit was broken out into 3 areas: 1) senior and experienced leaders; 2) chapter leaders; and 3) emerging leaders. Central Florida Chapter had representation in all three areas by many members! This is a highly recommended event for your professional leadership development.
Engagement. I want to encourage members to evaluate talents and strengths and identify if there are any committees or task forces opportunities that you would be willing to volunteer for in 2025. Committee chair, member, and RTS positions are available. We have much work to do as a chapter this year and we can benefit from having active volunteers. Please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the other board members with any questions you might have. Let’s make this year a fantastic year for your Chapter!
Thank you!
Tabatha Freedman, MBA, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB
President
president@cfcnigp.org