2023 Region VII Pres Elect and Planning Weekend

We have finalized the date and location of our PE Training and Regional Planning weekend. The location is at a Lakehouse in Wedowee, AL (near Birmingham). It is a new location that we hope works as well as others have in the past. We have three houses in very close proximity and a fourth on stand-by.

What is this all about?

This weekend is a combination of two events: President-Elect Training and Regional Planning. PE training is required for all of society and is led by each region's officers. It is where the incoming presidents get to meet, learn or reaffirm best practices, and get geared up for their year as president, which technically begins July 1. Planning is less formal but has proven to be a critical component of regional success in ASHRAE. It is a tradition started by Region VII and despite us being one of the smallest regions, Planning has led to our volunteers having had instrumental stewardship of the society that measures way beyond our actual numbers within the organization. Planning is also an opportunity to hear from the CRC Chairs about the upcoming Chapter Regional Conferences. Lastly, planning includes discussion on regional operations and strategic decisions, often with the input of past DRC's, past society presidents (aka Presidential Member), and even current senior leadership at the society level. Historically, people from all over want to attend the Region VII Planning meeting - an event that has now been duplicated in many of the other 14 regions.

Here is the tentative schedule:

May 19, Friday

11:30 - 12:30 Lunch (all)

12:30 - 5:00 PE Training (PE, RO)

5:30 - 6:30 Dinner (all)

6:30 - 9:30 Intro of Distinguished Guests, CRC discussion, and Planning Meeting (PE, DG, RO, CRCC)

May 20, Saturday

9:00 - 11:30 Training (PE, RO)

11:30 - 12:30 Lunch (all)

12:30 - 2:30 Planning (as required) (PE, DG, RO, CRCC)

2:30 - 5:30 Strategic Planning 

Attendance:

Spouses and other Special Guests are welcome. The grounds for each house should be spectacular for resting and relaxing by our guests during our meetings, and we look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces at all meals. 

Distinguished Guests: Region VII historically invites a number of distinguished guests, e.g. past Region VII Presidential Members and current ExCom. DG's are welcome to attend any portion of the weekend.

President-Elects: This is mandatory training for President-Elects, the incoming presidents for 2023-2024.  Current presidents, please review with your replacement and make certain they save the date.  PE's must be in attendance from Friday at noon through Saturday at noon. 

Regional Officers: This is mandatory attendance by the Regional Officers who will be providing much of the training for the PE Training. RO's will also be bringing forth their ideas and submissions for the planning and growth of the Region during Planning. This event is hosted by the RO's. Please come prepared with those ideas (and names)!

Chapter Regional Conference Chairs: At Planning the CRCC will be providing exciting news and developments for both the 2023 (Louisville) and 2024 CRC (Memphis).

All are invited to come early and/or stay late. We understand those traveling from further away may want to stay the night before; we have the main house and one other booked for Thursday - Saturday. We will be having an informal breakfast Friday morning and an informal dinner Saturday evening for those who will be here.

Please use the RSVP to let us know you are coming if you will be coming alone or with a spouse, and what evenings you plan to stay so that we can plan the logistics of who is staying where.

Costs:

All housing and food are paid for by the Region. The PE Training and Planning Weekend should be at no cost for PE's and RO's as the transportation costs are reimbursed (info provided at the training).

Meals:

Lunches, dinners, and the Saturday breakfast will be at the main house, prepared by Michael Cooper. (Thank you, Michael!) You are welcome to bring your own supplies for any other meal you wish to prepare.

Drinks:

BYOB. Tea and other Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. You are welcome (and encouraged) to bring your own beverage to share (or not?!)