Chapter Overview

ISM—Cleveland, Inc. exists to advance the Supply Chain Management and Strategic Sourcing profession through the personal and professional development of its members by providing quality education and certification programs as well as many opportunities for leadership, networking, and the exchange of ideas.

The local Association coordinates the interests of its members and provides services and personal contacts that would be difficult to duplicate. Through the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), this coordination expands globally to permit the development of services and educational opportunities that are considered to be today’s best practices.

ISM—Cleveland, Inc. members are recognized by many as world-class professionals. Our long-range success is a result from high ethical standards, the building of professional relationships and significant member involvement in decision making and the operation of the Association.

Our History

In the fall of 1914, a small group of energetic purchasing agents, led by S. Holmes Mansfield and H.J. Richards, assembled in downtown Cleveland to formulate plans for a local organization to be called “Purchasing Agents Association of Cleveland.” The ideas and guiding principles in founding this organization were based on loyalty to his/her company, justice to those with whom he/she deals, and faith in his/her profession.

In the fall of 1915, the founders learned that a National Association of Purchasing Agents was being formed in New York, and by the end of 1916, Cleveland became affiliated with the National Association called the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM), and hosted four (4) NAPM Conferences in 1923, 1934, 1950, and 1956.

In June of 1968, the Cleveland affiliate changed its name to the Purchasing Management Association of Cleveland Inc. (PMAC).

At the 1973 NAPM International Conference held in New York, Richard H. Sheppard, Manager of Purchases for Cleveland-Cliffs, was elected President of NAPM. During his term as President, Dick was the driving force behind the Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) Program, as well as a promoter of Commodity Committees.

In 2002, the national association was renamed Institute for Supply Management (ISM) with 171 affiliated associations with a membership of over 40,000, and in 2015, the Purchasing Management Association of Cleveland (PMAC), became ISM—Cleveland.

Throughout its history, our organization has made significant contributions to the development of the National Association, providing three (3) NAPM Presidents, hosting four (4) National Conferences, and receiving the 2015 National Award for ISM Affiliate of the Year.

ISM—Cleveland, Inc. coordinates the interests of its members and provides services and personal contacts that no other group can duplicate. We do this locally, and through coordination with ISM Global.

If you would like to learn more about us, please Contact Us.

OUR MISSION:

ISM—Cleveland, Inc. exists to provide value, leadership opportunities and education while promoting a higher level of performance for Purchasing and Supply Chain Management professionals. It also provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information.

We Accomplish This By:

Promoting the study, development and application of purchasing, supply chain and materials management to advance the profession.
Collecting and disseminating information by all lawful means of interest and benefit to its members including information on business trends and other information of interest to the supply chain management professional.
Developing and encouraging the practice of higher standards of personal and ethical conduct among persons engaged in the supply management profession.
Encouraging and cooperating in the development of and providing educational seminars, courses, programs and materials and support the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) sponsored certification programs.
Promoting and enhancing the purchasing, supply chain and materials management professions.

Governing Structure

ISM—Cleveland, Inc. is owned and operated by and wholly for its members. ISM-Cleveland, Inc. is affiliated with the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) however local Associations retain their independence in the selection and management of local activities.

ISM—Cleveland, Inc. has a minimum of a President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and at least two directors who are responsible for the management of ISM-Cleveland, Inc. To qualify as a nominee for the Board of Directors, a Regular Member must:

Be a member of ISM—Cleveland, Inc. or ISM for a period of two (2) consecutive years.
Have served as a member of at least one ISM —Cleveland, Inc. committee.
Understands the responsibilities of a Director/Officer.
Have the endorsement/backing of his or her employer.

Board of Directors

Members on the Board of Directors will serve for the two-year period for which they were elected.

Standing Committees

The heart of the ISM—Cleveland, Inc. programs are the Standing Committees. These committees include:

Communication
Professional Development
Marketing
Membership

Special Committees

In addition to the Standing Committees, Special Committees can be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Special Committees are:

Nominating Committee
Budget and Audit Committee
Special Events Committee
Bylaws Committee
S. Holmes Mansfield Committee

Questions?

There is opportunity for many to participate in different capacities within our organization. The needs of the committees range from a very short-term commitment of time such as a once-a-year meeting to very involved events. If you would like to know more about the committees and the teams, please Contact Us. We look forward to hearing from you!

ISM—Cleveland Inc. Bylaws

The Cleveland Association is owned and operated by and wholly for its members. Local Associations affiliated with the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) retain their independence in the selection and management of their local activities. There is no dictation from National to locals.

The Cleveland Association has a minimum of a President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and at least two Directors who are responsible for the management of the local affiliate. The ISM Board of Directors is responsible for the policies, activities and management of ISM.

ISM’s members come from a diverse group of business interests having members from, but not limited to, large and small units of industrial, educational, utilities, and distribution organizations. On political, social, labor and even economic problems, the interests and opinions of its members or the policies of their companies would be divergent. Therefore, ISM-Cleveland, Inc. does not obligate or embarrass its members by committing them to, or representing them to be for or against any proposal of a controversial nature, except in cases where the ISM board may deem it advisable to state an opinion.

The Association freely and impartially presents information upon which the members may base their own determination, but recognizes their individual rights which place a corresponding limitation on representation by a professional association. Information on business and commodity trends, purchasing policies and procedures, as well as economic forecasts is offered from authoritative and representative sources. Recommendations on purchases are not made; that is an individual responsibility.

Members are never asked to give confidential information on prices, processes or transactions. The discussion of confidential information at meetings is expressly prohibited. Within those limitations, all members may contribute their knowledge and experience to the solution of the problems of others and participate in the values to be secured from such an exchange.

All meetings of the Cleveland Association or any of its subdivisions are open to any member who has a purchasing interest in the program under consideration. All services of the Association are available to all members impartially; that is true also of information regarding any policy, activity, or transaction of ISM-Cleveland, Inc. ISM headquarters is located at 2055 East Centennial Circle, Tempe, Arizona 85284. Founded in 1915, the Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is the largest supply management association in the world as well as one of the most respected. ISM’s mission is to lead the supply management profession through its standards of excellence, research, promotional activities, and education. ISM’s membership base includes more than 40,000 supply management professionals with a network of domestic and international affiliated associations. ISM is a not-for-profit association that provides opportunities for the promotion of the profession and the expansion of professional skills and knowledge. ISM assists members with any individual purchasing problems; to furnish information regarding sources of supply for new or unusual requirements, processes, specification, standards, prices, trade customs or practices, purchasing policies or procedure, etc. A tremendous number of business publications, trade information, professional contacts and other research materials are available at the National office. The National office has an experienced staff supplemented by consultants and commercial agencies that specialize in the needed material and information. Along with this information, and with the knowledge and experience of other members freely given, the correct information can usually be secured.

Unless authorized, the identity of a member or his company is never divulged in handling individual inquiries. In making surveys and compiling the information reported, the same confidential relationship is observed. This policy secures cooperation in the exchange of ideas and information and permits frank expression of opinion and experience.

The Association depends heavily upon the standards of ethical practice it sponsors and the services it gives to secure favorable recognition for the profession itself. Reference is made to ISM Standards of Conduct, copies of which are available from the ISM office.

To be a good supply management professional, you must think, read, and plan. No other outside assistance can be as helpful to you in doing that as the cooperation of supply management professionals with similar problems. Your local Purchasing Management Association, as a part of the Institute for Supply Management is your opportunity to strengthen your own position.

The bylaws were most recently revised and approved by the membership November 10th, 2014.

Download Bylaws