ISM-Pittsburgh Membership Benefits:

ISM-Pittsburgh, as a professional association, offers its over 600 members the opportunity to enhance their professional development.  Below are at least 20 Reasons to join the Institute for Supply Management. Join today!

Professional Development
ISM-Pittsburgh offers approximately four free days of training valued at $1,700 (avg. of $425 per person/per day).  These training opportunities include four ISM Satellite Seminars, which are offered in October, February, and April and are the equivalent of two all-day seminars. In addition to the free Satellite Seminars, free of charge and reduced rate one-day seminars are offered in the fall, winter and spring.

To assist purchasing professionals pursuing certification, ISM-Pittsburgh periodically sponsors certification review courses or partners with local universities to promote certification review classes.  Training opportunities, which earn the equivalent of two continuing education hours, are also available at each of our ten dinner meetings.  Visit our website at www.ism-pittsburgh.org to view Forum and Dinner Meeting topics and speakers, as well as our Purchaser newsletter. 

ISM-Pittsburgh and Duquesne University have a promotional partnership guaranteeing ISM-Pittsburgh members a 15% discount on all supply chain and business-related courses offered at the University.   This academic partnership enables members to attend premier educational offerings instructed by leaders in the area of supply chain.

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ISM Report on Business™
Published in Inside Supply Management™; ISM’s monthly magazine, this survey of purchasing statistics is the first and only one of its kind. This tool, which is utilized by renowned economists, is considered the most reliable, short-term economic barometer available today.  ISM-Pittsburgh publishes its regional ROB with the participation and support of local companies.

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Employment Services
Unique member services include, but are not limited to a resume distribution service, which may be utilized by both member employees and employers.  Member resumes placed on file are distributed upon request to potentiaI employers and recruiters.  In addition, to assist current members who may become unemployed, ISM-Pittsburgh will offer those members a one-year dues-free membership to provide continued networking and training opportunities at a member rate.

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Inside Supply Management™
ISM’s monthly magazine contains national and international information on trends and developments in the supply chain profession including insightful "how-to" articles. The magazine is published exclusively for ISM members.  ISM-Pittsburgh publishes a monthly newsletter titled Inside ISM-Pittsburgh, which is distributed electronically to its membership.

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Supply Management Advocate
Members have access to all ISM printed and electronic materials for use within their organizational infrastructure for the promotion of the procurement and supply chain management field.  ISM-Pittsburgh can assist in the communications to the senior management team within an organization as to potential value-added supply management contributions.

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Networking
Valuable contacts are made within the business community during ISM-Pittsburgh‘s professional development events.  Members have the opportunity to increase their knowledge in a variety of industries and to stay abreast of supply management trends. There is no better time to be a part of a growing organization run by and for supply chain management professionals.

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Certification Opportunities
ISM currently recognizes two professional designations:

The Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.)program focuses on the managerial, administrative, and strategic, as well as tactical aspects of the purchasing and materials management function.  This certification is designed for those working in any of the major private, public, or non-profit work sectors. The C.P.M. is supported by ISM.  A new certification program has been announced by ISM and will be offered in 2008.  Candidates for the C.P.M. Exam must register by December 31, 2008 and must test by December 31, 2009.

At present over 38% of ISM-Pittsburgh’s members are certified.  In addition, members received a 10% discount on ISM-Pittsburgh-sponsored C.P.M. Review Sessions.  Members also receive a discounted price on all ISM study materials and exam fees.

The CPSM  The Institute for Supply Management has chosen the title Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) as the name of the organization's newest qualification. The CPSM is the profession's most rigorous qualification, representing the highest degree of professional competencies.  The CPSM was launched in 2008.  Log onto www.ism.ws for additional information on certification.

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ISM-Pittsburgh Mentoring Program
ISM-Pittsburgh offers a comprehensive, yet flexible mentoring program to its membership.  Mentees will have the opportunity to work with experienced supply management professionals for a positive professional development experience.  Mentors will have the opportunity to share their career perspectives with fellow supply management colleagues. 

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Diversity Initiatives
ISM-Pittsburgh values diversity in its membership and has undertaken initiatives to assure appropriate levels of diversity within the affiliate. These initiatives include offering professional development seminars on diversity, as well as assessing current levels of diversity within its membership.

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ISM Members Only Web site
ISM maintains an extensive website with a web page providing job-related information for supply management professionals.  This area includes searchable databases and employment listings. Only ISM members have access to the employment database, bibliographic database of purchasing-related articles and the networking area devoted to topical purchasing and supply management issues and challenges.  ISM’s website contains many interesting areas such as the Knowledge Center offering self-paced on-line courses and the InfoCenter, which is a fast and easy way to find information on supply management and purchasing-related topics.

ISM-Pittsburgh’s website (www.ism-pittsburgh.org) offers valuable resources to our members including business references and resources, upcoming events and a Members Only Section, which contains the ISM-Pittsburgh Membership Directory listing the over 600 supply management professionals who are our members. 

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Committees
Participating members will acquire and develop new skills in planning, managing, and organizing while also developing their leadership potential.  Committee members may report on economic conditions (the primary statistics appearing in the highly respected Report on Business), participate in ISM-Pittsburgh’s strategic planning session, attend ISM’s Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit, set committee goals, assist in program development, and much much more. Only ISM-Pittsburgh board and committee members may participate in these career-enhancing roles.

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Special Interest Groups and Forums
Members have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of their supply management specialty and to develop valuable contacts across the United States when you join an ISM Special Interest Group or Forum.  ISM-Pittsburgh has offered groups in interest areas ranging from materials management to supplier diversity to women in leadership and services to name just a few. Only through membership in ISM-Pittsburgh can a supply management professional participate in a Special Interest Group or Forum.

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CAPS Research
ISM-Pittsburgh Regular Members receive extensive purchasing-related research studies and detailed statistical benchmarks free of charge from CAPS Research, the only national not-for-profit research center devoted to purchasing and materials management.  The CAPS Research sponsors international roundtables throughout the year in North America, Europe, and Asia. Participants include more than one hundred Fortune 500 companies.

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National and International Seminars
Enhance your professional development and job performance when you enroll in ISM seminars taught by experienced instructors.  Over 90 seminars are conducted annually throughout the United States.  Intensive, one-week purchasing management programs are also conducted at selected universities.  Members may save significantly on each management program.  In addition, ISM Satellite Seminars address different purchasing/supply management issues and are offered periodically throughout the year.  These live programs allow you to interact with speakers and peers without leaving your city or affiliate area.  ISM-Pittsburgh Satellite Seminars are currently held at Allegheny Energy, Inc.’s facilities, which are located in Greensburg, PA.

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Professional Development Resources
ISM offers over 25 different CD’s/DVD’s/Software/Video programs and over 60 different books from which to choose.  All programs are designed to heighten your acumen in a variety of subjects, including, global sourcing, negotiations, legal issues, and supply management, et al.  Many of these offerings are easily adaptable to individual or group presentations.  Publications include textbooks, workbooks, and the TECHnotes series, with subject matter covering purchasing-specific topics plus general business information. These professional development resources accommodate your unique schedule and pace, and ISM members receive a discounted price resulting in savings on all purchases and rentals.

ISM-Pittsburgh’s website contains a Resource Section where relevant supply management offerings include books, website addresses and other varied reference materials.

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Purchasing & The Law Video Series
ISM-Pittsburgh offers this one-of-a-kind Basic Purchasing and the Law Video Seminar instructed by the renowned Dr. John Murray, Jr; President of Duquesne University.  This Video Seminar covers Dr. Murray’s two-day basic seminar, which is intended to provide purchasing professionals with a fundamental understanding of contract law and an orientation to the UCC.  ISM-Pittsburgh Members receive a discounted price on all orders.

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ISM InfoEdge
InfoEdge is an archived publication, which furnishes job-related tools for purchasing and supply management professionals. The ISM InfoEdge mission is to provide specific, hands-on information that subscribers can readily apply to their daily tasks. ISM members receive a discount on all subscription pricing.  Past issues are available online at no charge to members.

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Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit
Members can network with over 2000 peers at the only international conference devoted exclusively to purchasing and supply management.  Members have the opportunity to examine emerging trends and challenges during comprehensive workshops conducted by their peers.  The conference attracts distinguished speakers who will discuss current national and international issues and solutions.  The conference also offers several sessions, which are instructed by prominent corporate leaders with successful procurement strategies.  ISM-Pittsburgh Regular Members receive significant savings on registration fees.

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The Journal of Supply Chain Management – A Global Review of Purchasing and Supply
The nation's first scholarly journal devoted exclusively to supply chain management research and development. New members receive more than one-half off of the one-year subscription rate.

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Recognition and Awards
Members can enhance their career portfolio by earning recognition for exemplary service to ISM and the profession at large. The J. Shipman Gold Medal, established in 1931, is the purchasing profession's highest honor.  Numerous other awards are given to ISM members for outstanding public relations, professional development, membership activities, and international activities.

As a member you will have the opportunity to network and work with such leaders in your profession.  ISM-Pittsburgh members have been the recipient of numerous ISM Person of the Year Awards including both the National and District Awards for Education/Learning, Volunteerism, Public Relations and Marketing, Education, Global Resources and Leadership.

ISM-Pittsburgh was awarded Affiliate of the Year honors in 2003 and 2000.  Over 180 affiliates were eligible and ISM in Tempe, Arizona selected ISM-Pittsburgh as the winner of this prestigious award based upon its accomplishments in the areas of affiliate operations, education, marketing, communications and membership activities.  ISM-Pittsburgh previously won the Affiliate Excellence Level Award in 2006, 2005, 2002 and 2001.

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ISM-Pittsburgh Scholarship Campaign
ISM-Pittsburgh is proud to sponsor a premier Scholarship Campaign Program.  The ISM-Pittsburgh Scholarship Program supports multiple scholarship categories making it one of the most comprehensive and well-funded scholarship programs among all ISM affiliates. 

ISM-Pittsburgh awards approximately $15,000 each year to eligible candidates who apply and are selected to receive a scholarship.

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