Dear Utah Chapter NIGP Members,

Thank you one and all for another fantastic year with the Utah Chapter of NIGP.  We have accomplished many things, including winning the Outstanding Chapter Award for Membership from NIGP, becoming a Platinum Chapter, offering several chapter sponsored courses and scholarships, conducting our first Fall Virtual Procurement Conference, and of course our Buyer and Manager of the Year, Julie Fisher and Michael Iwasaki respectively.  We are excited to include for the first time this year the new Agency Award, Young Professional Award, Board Member Recognition Award and Distinguished Service award at our November meeting.  We are working behind the scenes to begin offering a procurement course through Southern Utah University that should be available next year, with plans to expand this program and help our members receive certificates or University credit towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.  We could not do this without your support and for the hard work of our Board Members- thank you to each one of you!  Please take a look at our recap email listing the many accomplishments of our chapter this year.

We are excited to see what 2022 will bring.  Please mark your calendars for May 19, 2022 for our next Reverse Trade Show.  We have a fantastic committee that is working hard to create a memorable event for all of us and our vendor community.  We are thrilled to see our first Procurement Course coming together.  It will be offered through Southern Utah University next year, and will be taught by our own Zac Christensen!  Watch for more chapter sponsored courses to come next year.

We also want to remind you of our holiday food drive for the Utah Food Bank.  Please consider participating in this event with us.  Any amount is appreciated, and the Food Bank is expert in stretching these donated dollars to feed the many in need around us.  We are hoping to reach our $300 goal.  Donations can be made through December 24, 2021.  To donate, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/UtahChapterofNIGP?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=UtahChapterofNIGP&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=ac5e512609c74b6f804de8b22e5557ac&fbclid=IwAR2LadNTmXJWZQpJ-aS_H6P6qzDkE09_ZuDyYPwYAKtjuFUI4LV4Q4cVyRc 

It has been an honor serving with you in 2021.  I strongly believe in the professional development opportunities this chapter and the National Institute provide as we all strive to improve and increase our skills, and network with our counterparts in agencies across the State.  I truly value this chapter and cherish the many friends I have made as I have participated and served with you.  We hope to bring valuable content and opportunities to all of us as we learn and grown in our career journeys.  Please contact anyone on the Board if you have ideas on content and events we can bring to you.

My sincerest wishes to each of you and your loved ones for a very merry holiday season.  Thank you again for your support of our chapter, we are grateful to have you a part of this wonderful group.

Sincerely,

Tonya Hodges
Utah Chapter of NIGP President