I’m writing for three purposes. First, I want to tell you what an excellent experience I had at the forum yesterday in St. Louis. I had very high expectations going into it, based on reports from previous attendees. Those expectations were met and exceeded. The facilitation was excellent and the day moved fast, covering a lot of material. Even the snacks and lunch were great. 

It was helpful to benchmark our own performance in relation to what other organizations are doing when facing similar challenges. It is especially helpful to learn where people have found good solutions and where others have had difficulties with vendors or technologies. The service you provide, in facilitating the sharing of experience with no sales pitches, is just a great business model.

Second, I want to thank you and NOREX for extending our membership for several months this year while we have been in transition. We will be sending the renewal payment as soon as we can process it.
 

Third, I want to tell you how impressed I am by the NOREX Pledge. The sections for Members/Customers and Vendors sound somewhat like the words from some other organizations, but I was especially impressed with the following two sections.
 

To Team Members: A stable family-friendly environment is a critical element of our present and future success. Employment fairness and stability outrank profit as our primary goal. Adequate profit (not maximum) will result. Financial performance will vary from quarter to quarter and year to year. It is the obligation of management/ownership to “flex” as required to achieve maximum employment security.

To Country and Community: We are deeply thankful to our country and community for fostering an environment where NOREX can thrive. We show our appreciation through positive involvement in the community and annual charitable giving of over 5% of profits before tax.

The goal of adequate profit, not maximum, and a commitment to the community, not based on maximizing profit, are admirable and rare. I see that NOREX is not a public corporation and that explains how it is possible to put this philosophy into action.

I also looked at your ad for an Account Executive position and saw this: “In addition, we are seeking an individual with a strong personal commitment to high moral and ethical standards.”

I have seen this commitment, and the embodiment of the pledge, in action in our dealings with NOREX. Please accept my thanks and admiration of your organization.

Gary Lyndaker
IT Director for the Missouri Department of Mental Health