Cover Page>>

Executive Corner
· A Letter from Dave Sanders

T
he Portal Advantage
· Rantings: Every IT Relationship needs Effective Communication
· Introducing Culminis Connections
· Feedback is an Option

IT Hero Recognition
· IGEN and NPA

 Upcoming Events
· IT PRO Workshops
·
TechNet Briefings
· AITP Dallas to Enlist in Tactical Tank Team Building

 Focus of the Month:
 Training & Education
· Uncertified, Unlicensed, Uncontrolled
· Importance of Licensing
· Role of User Groups in Educating IT Pros
· The Impact of Instructors on the IT Pro Learning Experience
· Culminis helps with Certification


Culminis Happenings
· Culminis: Forming a Taskforce on Building Security Awareness
· Microsoft Plans to Enhance TechNet with help from the Culminis Alliance
· Culminis Implements the Microsoft® Solutions Framework (MSF)


Special Offers
· Exclusive Discount on  IT PRO Workshops - thru Culminis


 

 

 

 The Culminis Compass - August  2004

 

Introducing Culminis Connections

On July 12th, Culminis officially released Culminis Connections, the web portal for leaders of Member Organizations of the Culminis Alliance.  The purpose of this exciting new web portal is to share information between Member Organizations to help expand and improve the support provided to IT professionals around the world.  Built on the powerful Microsoft SharePoint Portal, key areas of the portal include:

  • Documents –Leaders will find useful User Group resources available for download, such as “How-To” articles, document templates and technical presentations in PowerPoint format.  These resources have been compiled from Culminis Partners and other Member Organizations, and many of the documents have been formatted as templates so that they can be easily customized for use by Member Organizations -- royalty-free.
     
  • Discussions – Leaders can post questions and answers to several threaded discussion forums.  The forums are also monitored by subject matter experts (SMEs), such as Microsoft MVPs and Culminis Partners, to help provide timely and insightful solutions for Member Organizations.
     
  • Lists – There are a number of lists available for leaders, and most of them can be filtered to help narrow the information being researched.  Current lists include:
    • Culminis Speakers Bureau – a list of top-rated speakers/presenters available to Member Organizations
    • Events – a list of events sponsored by Culminis, Member Organizations, and Culminis Partners
    • Solution Provider Network – a list of Culminis Sponsors and Affiliates providing products and services to Culminis Member Organizations
    • Community Outreach Database – a list of non-profit organizations that need assistance from IT Professional User Groups
    • Useful Links (i.e. Security Resources)
       
  • Surveys – Culminis conducts surveys to help identify the needs of its Member Organizations.  Points are awarded to Member Organizations for each survey completed, which can then be used as part of the Culminis Rewards Program.

Both the Documents and Discussions areas are further divided into the 6 “pillars of support,” which include:

  • Administration and Operations – Support for running the day-to-day operations of an IT Professional User Group
 
  • Training and Education – Support for conducting training events, certification study groups, hands-on-labs and technical presentations
     
  • Advertising and Marketing – Support for building awareness about your organization within the local community, growing your membership, and finding sponsors to help fund meetings and programs
     
  • Career Management – Support for providing networking opportunities for IT professionals and career guidance
     
  • Community Outreach – Support for conducting community service projects and leveraging the expertise of IT professionals to make a difference in the community
     
  • Feedback Development – Support for participating in exclusive feedback and pilot programs offered by Culminis Sponsors and Partners

Culminis Connections will continue to grow as more and more Member Organizations share information and work together to address the needs of IT professionals and the IT industry. 

The Culminis Connections Web site is a benefit offered to all official Culminis Alliance Member Organizations. Potential Member Organizations must apply online which requires acceptance of terms and conditions, as well as a submission of contact information for a primary contact.


Online Application Process: The membership application and agreement process is fully automated and can be completed online.  The membership application section of the Culminis web site includes a “Terms and Conditions” section at the front end that allows the user to check a box to 'virtually sign' the membership agreement. A Culminis Program Description document is also available for review. Once the signed membership agreement and member application have been submitted, the Member Organization will be notified if they have been accepted as a member of Culminis and given access to Culminis Connections.
 

Current Member Organizations that have not received a login and password should let us know. It may be that we do not have a signed Agreement if you applied before the full online automation.

 

For more information, email membership@culminis.com

A Member Organization can request up to 7 accounts to the Culminis Connections Portal in order to accommodate the needs of their leadership. 

If you have any questions about accessing Culminis Connections, or want to know more about the services available, please email us at benefits@culminis.com

 

 

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