History of RPCN

RPCN is an affiliation of individual consultants--a source of expert services to businesses and organizations in our community. RPCN was founded in 1990 when members recognized the need for inter­action as a means for exchanging ideas, expertise, and business con­tacts. Since then, the organization has added the role of develop­ing and improving the consulting profession through continuing edu­ca­tion and guidance in the areas of professional conduct, ethics, and business management.

As we complete our 20th year (2010), RPCN has 110 members, mostly in Monroe and surrounding counties. RPCN enjoys a widely diversified membership, representing vir­tually the entire scope of business professions. Each member brings to the organization a unique combination of skills, experience, and knowledge. The common thread is not a field of expertise but a mode of operation: consulting.

RPCN offers the opportunity to combine talents into expert teams to meet the specific needs of client organ­izations.   

RPCN was started by Ian (Ted) Fraser who, along with many others, was in the process of outplacement at the Career Resource Center. Ted asked several people if they would like to form a group to explore ways to help each other get work. The group began working in late 1989 and put together a set of bylaws which were published on April 2, 1990. They have survived with only minor changes.

The first newsletter, published June 3, 1990, noted that interim officers were chosen by the Board of Directors to hold office until the first elections could be held the following year.

The initial group decided that, in order to make something happen, they would meet twice each month, instead of adopting the once-a-month schedule of most professional organizations. Meetings featured speakers from the community who spoke on topics of interest to consultants. The enthusiasm has continued, and in recent years two informal breakfast meetings have been added, a total of four meetings each month.

In the beginning, the group consisted of individuals, many of them over 55 years of age, who had been outplaced by local manufacturing companies, banks, etc., so it is understandable that their focus was on finding ways to jump start their re-employment or to get started in self-employment. They wanted to work.

As RPCN grew, it became clear that members were experts at "doing their talent," but that marketing their own services was not that talent. Members wanted RPCN to find jobs for them. The Board of Directors, however, did not relish this role. They announced that the goal of RPCN was "to help members help themselves find work." In other words, the focus shifted to education and support of members in their pursuit of cash flow. That remains the group's focus.

Employees of large companies have peers with whom they can consult while solving business problems. Consultants, on the other hand, are isolated and don't have the benefit of an occasional water-cooler conference. Working as self-employed individuals, they have only their clients, families and friends to talk to. RPCN provides a group of non-competing peers who share their business expertise and provide social support.

The formula works--sometimes too well. RPCN has served as a refuge for individuals enduring the pain, humiliation, and depression which results from downsizing. Our meetings provide an opportunity to meet with others in a non-threatening business environment, and that provides reassurance that you are still a viable contributor to society.

RPCN has also provided a training ground for those who voluntarily opt to leave large companies to promote their own businesses.

If you decide to "go it alone" you've a lot to learn. How to network, how to invoice, how to meet potential clients, and how to establish your prices are just a few of the initial challenges. RPCN's mentoring helps.

One challenge facing RPCN is that prosperous consultants find themselves too busy to attend our meetings. As beginning consultants get better at consulting, they improve their cash flow and fill their hours with work. Many of our members have "graduated" to full-time self employment. Our challenge is to have them stay with the group and share their expertise.

Over the years, RPCN members have formulated a Mission Statement (Appendix II) and a Code of Ethics . A strategic plan has been prepared to help the group maintain focus and direction. These have helped establish us as a truly professional organization.

In addition to its monthly meetings, RPCN offers publications to help its members and the community.

RPCN publishes a monthly newsletter that gives information of interest to consultants including the following:

Meeting announcements, including meeting dates and locations, topic and description of programs, etc., plus news from the Board of Directors and Committees. Also,

• Announcements of local seminars and educational opportunities.
• Publicity releases relevant to consultants.
• Feature articles of interest to consultants.
• Classified and "space" advertising.

Officers (with the exception of the organization's first year) serve a one-year term as Vice President, the automatically become President and Past President in the following years. RPCN's fiscal year, and the officers' terms, begin on July 1 and end on June 30.

Ian (Ted) Fraser................................ 1990-1991

Roger Vickery.................................... 1991-1992

John P. Wilkie.................................... 1992-1993

Lindsay Collier................................... 1993-1994

Robert Lurz....................................... 1994-1995

Michael J. Rizzolo............................... 1995-1996

Penny J. Cannon................................ 1996-1997

Michael Mattie................................... 1997-1998

William S. Samuels IV.......................... 1998-1999

Francis H. Bouchard............................ 1999-2000

Jill Ann Hurst..................................... 2000-2001

Robert A. Penty................................. 2001-2002

Mary Anne Shew................................ 2002-2003

Robert J. Ruhland............................... 2003-2004

Mary Anne Shew................................ 2004-2005

Yvonne DiVita................................... 2005-2006

Steven Chapman............................... 2006-2007

Hans von Gehlen............................... 2007-2008

Carol McManus................................. 2008-2009

Emily Carpenter................................ 2009-2010

Linda McQueen................................ 2010-2011

Vision and Mission for RPCN VISION To be the premiere resource for consulting excellence MISSION Rochester Professional Consultants Network is an organization that promotes professionalism and excellence in consulting, so that its members can best serve their clients and the community. RPCN provides opportunities for members to Develop and grow in their profession Network with other consultants Acquire mutual support

          

One of our organization's goals is to help members who are exploring consulting become practicing consultants. RPCN members who are starting (or considering starting) a consulting business should expect to gain the following through their participation in RPCN:

•     A clear perspective of the consulting profes­sion.
•     Assessment of their potential for becoming a successful consultant.
•     Information about starting a consulting business.
•     Advice and support from experienced consultants.
•     Networking with experienced consultants.