Newsletter
November 2003

A Note  from your Past President... 

Dear MACS,

  Wow! What a meeting we had in Petoskey!  There were so many great things I don’t know where to begin. 

  I continue to hear favorable comments about Chet Jessup’s marketing presentation. We will talk to Chet about joining us at a future meeting. 

  The facilities for the trade show and the meetings were top notch, the food was great, our hostess was wonderful (thank you thank you Karen!) and the weather was even nice.  The golf outing Sunday afternoon was well attended and I’m told that the course was fabulous.  And if you were there for the Polar presentation, I can tell you I may never be able to keep a straight face again when I hear the words “hand warmers”. 

  If you missed this meeting, you really missed a lot. 

  Looking back, I’d have to say that as an association we did very well, considering the challenges we faced this year.  Drastic State Higher Education budget cuts hit many of our schools hard this year.  And after six years, we had to learn how to do without our beloved Sue Smith.  However, we faced these challenges and surged passed them. 

  I have now completed my 4th straight year on the board, and I want to thank you for that opportunity.  Having served in both of the Norton Administration, the Anthes Administration and my own, I have had the privilege to work with some truly fantastic people.  All the members of all the boards I’ve been on have been fantastic. 

  There are also a few people I want to say a special thank you to;  Mike Norton and Fred Puffenberger for your support, advice and friendship;  Jess Soto, for all the help you’ve given me over the years.  Sue—thanks for still accepting my phone calls.  Paul, Lisa, Mike—your professional dedication are much appreciated.  Shar—you are a woman police force and my hero.  Heidi—I’ve watched you grow this year both personally and professionally—thanks for letting me be a part of it. 

  There’s not enough room on the page for everyone who has helped me, taught me or touched me—to all of you :  THANK YOU! 

  As I hand over the reigns to President Soto, I am very comfortable with the direction our Association is taking, and to the new heights that I know Jess can take us. 

  But before I do, I would like to make an announcement:  At the conclusion of the meetings in Petoskey, the board interviewed and hired a new Meeting Coordinator.  Please allow me to introduce Cindy Willing, from Hillsdale College.  She is very bright and exciting lady, who should help us add that extra sparkle to our meetings.  Congratulations and welcome Cindy! 

  Well, I think that’s about it.  Keep reading to see all the things that are happening in MACS and I’ll see you again in the Spring! 

Scott Placeway, MACS Past-President  

MACS Directories 

If you have not received your new 2003-2004 Directory or if you need to make changes, please contact: 

April Hamm
Schoolcraft College
18600 Haggerty Rd
Livonia  MI  48152-2699
Phone:  734-462-4409
Fax:  734-462-4496
E-mail:  ahamm@schoolcraft.edu
 

WELCOME MACS New Board Members
(Sorry-no photo available!)
President Elect-  Adrienne Loftin, Oakland Community College
Secretary-  Janet Campbell, Montcalm Community College
Store Trustee-  Jeff  Harrington, St. Clair County Community College
Vendor Trustee-  Brian Thelen, Thelen & Associates

Top Ten Reasons to

Visit San Antonio

1.        So you can Remember the Alamo
2.         Shop till you drop at the River Center Mall
3.        Ride River Barges
4.        Explore Market Square
5.        So you can sing at Dirty Nellie’s Irish Pub
6.        Tour San Antonio Missions
7.        So you can have a great Margarita
8.        Go wild at the San Antonio Zoo
9.        So you can attend CAMEX
10.        So you can meet and renew friendships with colleagues from the great State of Michigan at the MACS reception…..details forthcoming!

This top ten list was created with the assistance of Gary Thompson and the staff of St. Mary’s University Bookstore in San Antonio, TX.

  Member News 

Cindy DiCea (Robinson) is retiring on December 19, 2003.  She has worked at the Oakland Community College for the past 37 years.  She worked her way up from a student assistant at the bookstore, to assistant manager, and then to store manager all in the course of three years!  In 1991, she became Manager of Bookstore Operations, which put he in charge of all five campus bookstores.  She was then promoted to Auxiliary Services Manager in 1999.  She served as MACS Secretary from 1997-1999.  She has always been a great asset to the college bookstore industry and will be sorely missed.  Its really hard to see one of the good ones go.  Congratulations Cindy!! 

Spc. James Sharp, 2/75th Army Ranger Regiment, the son of Hillsdale College Bookstore manager, Vicki Nash, returned from Iraq in July.  He is now in the final phase of the coveted “Ranger School” training and should graduate on November 26th.  Thanks to all who have had Jim in their thoughts and prayers. 

Barbara Hara, Macomb Community College, has been accepted as a new alumni member.  Congratulations  Barbara!! 

We are saddened to learn that Don Klein, Davenport University recently passed away.  Condolences may be sent to the store. 

Pete Patel, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, has been promoted to Business Manager for the College.  Congratulations Pete!! 

Megan Bogden, Kettering University, is the new bookstore manager.  Congratulations  Megan!!   

Cheri Castner has been appointed Acting Manager of the Campus Shoppe at Lake Superior State University effective June 9, 2003.  Sheri has been employed at the Campus Shoppe since December 1980 and has held a variety of positions.  She will continue as Textbook Supervisor in addition to assuming the managerial responsibilities.  Cheri said, “I look forward to tackling this new opportunity with the utmost pride and professionalism.” 

Adrienne Loftin, MACS President–Elect was recently selected to serve on a national advisory council with Houghton Mifflin.  The purpose of the council is to discuss issues facing the college bookstore.  They will be meeting four times a year.  If you would like to e-mail Adrienne outlining your concerns facing the college bookstore industry, she will be glad to take them to the next meeting.

                                             HELP WANTED-NO LONGER!!!! 

Cindy Willing, Hillsdale College Bookstore, has accepted the position of MACS Meeting Coordinator!  We wish Cindy the best of luck in this position and know she will be a big asset to the Board.

Ward Aurich

Scholarship Winners 

  MACS presented a $500 award to each of the drawing winners below at this year’s Fall meeting in Petoskey.

  This scholarship was established in 1995  as a tribute to the memory of Ward Aurich.  These funds are donated on behalf of MACS  in Ward Aurich’s name to a scholarship fund of a Michigan college or university, selected by the winners of the drawing. 

Clarissee Elpedes, Oakland Community College
Brad Miller, Henry Ford Community College
 

Welcome New MACS Members! 

Thompson Learning

Sutter’s Mill Specialties

Family Christian Stores #44

Sequoia Peripherals

CI Apparel

Jim Seymour –Manufacturer’s Rep

Siriani and Associates
 

Upcoming Shows 

CAMEX  2004

San Antonio, TX
February 27-March 2

CCRA/ConTEXT

Indianapolis, IN
April 15-17, 2004

MACS  Spring 2004

Baker College
Owosso, MI
May 23-24, 2004

MACS Fall Meeting 2004

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI
October 3-5, 2004
 

MACS Fall 2003 Meeting

Petoskey, Michigan

October 5th-7th

The MACS Fall Meeting in Petoskey was a great success.  The success of the meeting was due in large part of the outstanding on-site work of Karen Furgeson, Manager, North Central Michigan College and Heidi Renton, MACS Store Trustee/Meetings.  Hats off to both of you! 

The educational sessions, Marketing & Your College Store presented by Chet Jessup, NCMC Faculty, and State Funding Cuts Impact by Cameron Brunet-Koch, NCMC President,  both brought rave revues!  How wonderful to be able to take home great tips of information. 

“North Pole Excursion”, by Kerri Finnlayson was our after dinner “entertainment”, and it was just that!  Hand warmers and icicles will never be thought of the same again! 

Tuesday morning brought a wonderful session Save Money with Freight—Get More Bang for Your Freight Buck!  Presented by Triina Trula, Siriani & Associates.  There are many ways we need to be watching our bottom line and this is one! 

MACS meetings offer an excellent opportunity to connect with store and vendor members.  The coming year may be a trying one for many of us, therefore, it is important for members to keep “connected.”
 

Free New Member Benefit!

The Michigan Association of College Stores is pleased to announce the introduction of a new member benefit—the MACS Freight Savings Plan!  This is a valuable member benefit that will really impact your bottom line.  The program uses the collective strength of your membership to secure substantial savings on freight transportation.  Discounts apply to both inbound collect and outbound prepaid shipments and there are no hidden costs or commitments.  The MACS Freight Savings Plan is FREE to join and offers:

à          Up to 63% discount on less-than-truckload shipments with

  Roadway Express

  FedEx Freight

à          Free Volume quotes on shipments over 1000 lbs.

à          Free auditing of your freight bills and free comparisons to ensure you are getting the best rates available.

à          Program available to bookstores and vendors!

à          Do you have questions about small package programs, international shipping or special shipping requirements?  The MACS plan covers all your shipping needs! 

Take advantage of this FREE member benefit!  Enroll today!  For information call Siriani & Associates, administrators of the MACS Freight Savings Plan at 800-554-0005.
 

Attention Newsletter Readers:  This is YOUR newsletter—without your ideas, comments, and feedback its just blank pages or my endless rambling.  Do you know of an upcoming event, newsworthy article, or funny bookstore-related story?  I encourage you to contact your newsletter editor today!!

MACS Newsletter Editor:
Vicki Nash
Hillsdale College Bookstore
278 N. West Street
Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: 517-437-2266 
Fax: 517-607-2632
vicki.nash@hillsdale.edu

 

Happy Holidays!!