IBOAI 50th Anniversary – March Board Meeting

A Big Week for the IBOAI

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March has been an exciting month for the IBOAI. We officially celebrated our 50^th Anniversary, held our March Board Meeting, and introduced up-and-coming second and third generation family members to the excitement and responsibilities of Association leadership.

50^th Anniversary Celebration
Although April 23, 2009, is the actual anniversary date, the IBOAI planned our official celebration to coincide with the March Board Meeting. Along with current Board Members, the IBOAI invited past Board Members, Corporate associates, and members of the Founding Families. A large crowd commemorated the forming of the American Way Association in 1959 and its 50 years of service to all IBOs.

The evening began with a reception and dedication ceremony at the IBOAI offices of the west conference room to the memory of

Former Board Members return to the IBOAI for a reception, including, left to right, Dorsey and Pam Deaton and Bob and Linda Vest.
Former Board Members return to the IBOAI for a reception, including, left to right, Dorsey and Pam Deaton and Bob and Linda Vest.

William J. Halliday, late counsel to the IBOAI. “Bill,” as he was known affectionately to both the Association and the Corporation, wrote the original Articles of Incorporation and served as Association counsel most of the Association’s 50 years. Dedication was given by Jody Victor of the IBOAI Governance & Oversight Committee.

Members of the original Founding Families attending the reception include Bernice Hansen (seated center), Susan Ross, Jody Victor,

and Karen DeBlay.

MAC Chairman Terry Andrews and Board Chairman Bob Andrews join Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel at IBOAI Reception.
MAC Chairman Terry Andrews and Board Chairman Bob Andrews join Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel at the IBOAI Reception.

All guests were then ushered into the elegant Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel for dinner and the commemorative program: “Celebrating 50 Years of Freedom, Family, Hope, Reward!”

A full house of guests reminisce an original sponsoring film, “A World of Difference,” in the Pantlind Ballroom.
A full house of guests reminisce an original sponsoring film, “A World of Difference,” in the Pantlind Ballroom.

Hosts for the event were 2007 IBOAI Chairman Jim Janz and 2008 IBOAI Chairman Bill Hawkins. Among the highlights of the program were recognition of Founding Families, including Bernice Hansen, wife of Founding Member Fred Hansen, Jody Dutt, son of Founding Member Jere Dutt, and Jody Victor, son of Founding Member Joe Victor, and their families. Jody Victor, widely known as the Association historian, spoke about the early days of the Association and shared a few fun anecdotes. Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel represented the Van Andel and DeVos families, speaking of the importance of partnership as we continue into the next 50 years. Inspirational song was provided by the powerful, resonating voice of Wintley Phipps, singer, publisher, philanthropist, founder/CEO of the U.S. Dream Academy, and IBO, who performed, among other pieces, Amazing Grace as he did at this year’s Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service at the National Cathedral.

An Eagle Award was presented to Jim Janz because, “We are grateful you stood in the Gap” during a very difficult year. The Victor Legacy Award was presented to the Victor Family, “Celebrating the Victor Family’s long heritage of dedication to the Association and the future of the business.” And, a special award was presented to Steve Van Andel honoring Amway’s commitment to “Freedom, Family, Hope, and Reward.”

Anniversary Host Bill Hawkins presents the Freedom, Family, Hope, Reward Award to Amway Family Member Steve Van Andel.

Jim Janz, IBOAI Chairman in 2007, accepts the Eagle Award for “stepping into the gap.”
Jim Janz, IBOAI Chairman in 2007, accepts the Eagle Award for “Standing in the Gap.”

IBOAI Vice Chairman Steve Woods presents the Victor Family with the Victor Legacy Award to Kathy, Jody, Steve, and Joe Victor.
IBOAI Vice Chairman Steve Woods presents the Victor Family with

the Victor Legacy Award to Kathy, Jody, Steve, and Joe Victor.

The evening was a mixture of the past, present, and future, says current IBOAI Chairman Bob Andrews, “This anniversary gives us all a lot of confidence, knowing the next 50 years looks even brighter.”

March Board Meeting
It was another productive week, all parties working hard to move ahead together, the IBOAI and Amway Global seeking common ground on topics like:

Upcoming National Spotlight Tours
New exciting product DVDs
Expanded advertising – TV, print, Web
Introduction of rebranding the legacy of products to the “green format”
Global Mobile iPhone test, using PDAs for business building
Achievers trip 09
Web 2.0 initiative
Growth Incentive Program for 2010 and beyond

Says IBOAI Board Chairman Bob Andrews, “The Corporate leadership is always very helpful. They want to be able to say yes to everything but they can’t always. Our job as a Board is to help them find ways to say yes.” As always, Board work doesn’t end with Board Meeting Week. Members continue talks during phone conferences and unofficial meetings.

Second and Third Generation IBOs
The IBOAI and Amway Global welcomed second and third generation family IBOs Cale and Aura Andrews, Trevor and Alexis Baker, David and Jules Dornan, Jason Dutt, Jere Dutt, Joe Victor, and Steve Victor. They were here to help celebrate the IBOAI’s 50^th anniversary, but also to learn from one another and share their visions for the next 50 years. Many of their families were instrumental in founding the Association or have been active in it in

Bob Andrews, IBOAI Chairman, opens business during the afternoon Executive Committee meeting.

other ways. Now they’re coming of age as future leaders! In addition to meeting with the IBOAI Executive Committee, they also spent time at Amway Global Headquarters, meeting staff and providing input. The highlight, they said, was meeting at the Office of the Chief Executive with Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel, who gave them a private tour of Amway Co-founder Jay Van Andel’s office.

This Anniversary Week was a prime example of how the Association and the Corporation – the Board Members and Corporate Representatives – have continually maintained their focus on Freedom, Family, Hope, and Reward. If you enjoyed reading about our 50^th Anniversary celebration events, stay tuned for more.

IBOAI Board Member Jim Dornan and Chairman Bob Andrews

welcome Jules and David Dornan to the evening

Executive Committee meeting.

IBOAI Board Member Glen Baker introduces Alexis and Trevor Baker at Executive Committee welcome dinner.
IBOAI Board Member Glen Baker introduces Alexis and Trevor Baker at Executive Committee welcome dinner.

IBOAI Chairman Bob Andrews (right) hosts Aura and Cale Andrews

at the Executive Committee welcome dinner.

Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel greets Jason Dutt, Jere Dutt, David & Jules Dornan, Steve Victor, Joe Victor, and Aura & Cale Andrews at his office.

Steve Victor, Jason Dutt, Jere Dutt, and Joe Victor, second and third generation Family Members, visit Corporate Headquarters.

(At front) Jim Janz, Jody Victor, Bill Hawkins, and Steve Woods listen as committees present their findings at the General Closing Session.

Discussing Awards & Recognition with Corporate staff are (right from center) Jody Victor, Jim Dornan, Joe Markiewicz, and Bob Andrews.

Sharon Janz, Kathy Victor, Sandy Hawkins, Terry Andrews, and MaryBeth Markiewicz of the Marketing Advisory Committee discuss products with Corporate staff.
Sharon Janz, Theresa Danzik, Kathy Victor, Sandy Hawkins, Terry Andrews, and MaryBeth Markiewicz of the Marketing Advisory Committee discuss products with Corporate staff.

IBOAI News

A Big Week for the IBOAI