Interest Groups (also called Special Interest Groups, or SIGs) are a vital part of the HBS Club of Chicago programs.

Interest Groups are designed to get more alumni actively involved in Club activities, and to help create and maintain stronger connections among alumni. Each Interest Group is led by a Chair or Co-Chairs who rely heavily on group participants to suggest program topics, to speak to the group and to identify and contact outside speakers. Interest Groups often sponsor free, informal, participative events as well as larger, more formal speaker presentations that have a registration fee. Getting involved with an Interest Group is a great way to get to know other HBS alumni who share a common interest.

Existing Interest Groups

Existing Interest Groups are organized around topics, demographics, and geography.

Crimson Investment Club – Jim Bittman (MBA 1974), Chair; Meets 7:30-8:30am on the first Friday of every month, at McDermott Will & Emery.

Entrepreneurship Council - Alex Meyer (MBA 2005) Chair, Occasional meetings, no regular meeting schedule.

North Shore - Jim Graham (MBA 1965), Chair; Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month in a private room at Max & Benny’s Restaurant.

Personal Financial Management (PFM) - Tom Breuer (MBA 1966) and John Gable (MBA 1969), Co-chairs; Free meetings 7:30-9:00am on the 3rd Wednesday of most months at MWE; Periodically sponsors club-wide events, at different times and locations

Second Half - Denise Nitterhouse (MBA 1977, DBA 1981) Chair, (previously called Fulfilling Retirement), Occasional meetings, no regular meeting schedule.

Women - Debra Webber (MBA 1980), Chair, Occasional meetings, no regular meeting schedule.

Creating an Interest Group

A successful Interest Group requires passionate, dedicated volunteer leaders. Any HBS Club of Chicago member can propose a new Interest Group. Steps for doing so are:

· Discuss your ideas & their experiences with a few current IG chairs

· Discuss your ideas and IG Chair responsibilities with the Program VP

· Submit a brief written summary of the group focus and a program plan & budget for the upcoming year to the Program VP, along with an expression of interest (signatures or email support) of at several other HBS Club of Chicago members

· Submit the proposal to the HBSCC Board

The Interest Group Chair or Co-Chairs are responsible for marketing the group to HBSCC members, maintaining the IG website copy, communicating with IG participants, planning and implementing programs and encouraging participation. Each Interest Group is intended to be self supporting, i.e., event revenue should cover all expenses. (More when website is up & new processes are implemented.)

Meetings can be held anywhere, but many groups use meeting rooms at McDermott, Will & Emery, (227 West Monroe, Chicago) which can be reserved through Winnie Lu of Alumni Services (847-256-4846, hbscc@aol.com). –need to check & list current building entry requirements, costs of liquid refreshments— IG events range from free informal discussions to formal speakers with a fee for admission. Each event should be priced to break even. Food for events can range from full service to bring your own brown bag, event prices should be set to break even. The member hosting each evening event (usually but not necessarily the Chair) often purchases & brings refreshments (wine, & cheese, fruit or vegetable trays).

In addition to events targeted primarily to regular IG participants, each group is expected to hold at least one event per year that is targeted to the entire club.