The InterConnection VOLUME 8
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ISSUE 1
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
Annual Call for Nominations and Volunteers Lillian Novak
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appy 2020! As we settle back into the routine of another year, how about taking some time to think about how you can help your Association through volunteering for positions on the governing Board of Directors or various committees? As is typical, the January issue of the InterConnection is full of forms – forms for volunteering; forms for scholarships; forms for awards; forms for Elite Membership nominations. It takes every single member of NACM Connect to contribute to the success we have been having over the past few years in growing our affiliate to the largest (and best!) in the NACM network. We are always looking for new ideas and strategies. Why not share your talents this year in one of the following programs. 1. Education. Save the date for the spring annual meetings! Coming soon – full
agendas will be posted. We’re gearing up for our spring classes, and don’t forget they are all available via videoconferencing if you are not in a location where you can take advantage of a live class. Look for a special Legal Symposium to be held on February 19, 2020 at the Meridian Conference Center in Rolling Meadows, IL. Sponsored by the Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Sections of the Commercial Law League of America, this day-long event is a great way to pick up some free legal advice specific to credit. Both in this newsletter as well as online at www.nacmconnect.org, you will find the application for 20202021 scholarships. Scholarships are awarded on basis of merit and need. Apply for scholarship money for classes, conferences, annual meetings or seminars. If you have wanted to get your designation, attend a regional conference, etc., but haven’t had the financial resources available for you to participate in
these programs, this is a great opportunity for you to get started! Sorry, we cannot offer scholarships for Credit Congress. 2. Volunteer. We are looking for members from across the eleven-state region to join the leadership of NACM Connect through volunteering on the Board of Directors or one of our many committees. Interested in throwing in for the Board of Directors? Fill out the form, submit it to Lillian Novak and she will send you a Candidate Profile for your official submission to the Nominating Committee. All forms must be submitted by January 31 for consideration. Members elected to the BOD not from the Chicago-area will be partially subsidized for travel to quarterly meetings. Committee volunteers are needed across the board, particularly for help in planning our educational offerings. The annual meeting and conference agendas are driven by Continued on page 17>>
The Health of the US Economy in 2020: Cynicism, Success or Slowdown? Christie Citranglo, NACM Editorial Associate
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he health of the U.S. and global economy has been a contentious topic in the past few years,especially with the rise of populism in the U.S. and several other countries around the world. Economists have predicted recessions along with growth, seemingly paradoxical outlooks from a variety of reliable sources. And while the political tensions continue to
remain high in the U.S. with sporadic outcomes from unpredictable actions by the U.S. government, it is likely the economy will see a slowdown in the near future rather than a recession. NACM Economist Chris Kuehl, Ph.D, led the NACM webinar “2020— The Year of Living Dangerously (Economically Speaking)” to address the main concerns and debunk any misconceptions conjured up between the news media, credit managers, salespersons, etc. While Kuehl admitted to the
impossibility of clairvoyance—akin to how meteorologists cannot predict the weather with total confidence— economists can still make educated assumptions backed by data and Continued on page 37>>