Inside Track September 2024 Edition by RJO inc

September 2024

IInside nside Track Track

In This Issue...

Important Dates

September

August 30thSeptember 2nd Labor Day- RJO Office Closed

September 10th

Payments due in the RJO Office

September 15th

RJO Foundation Scholarship Applications Due

September 23rd

RJO Foundation Art Auction

RJO VENDOR AWARDS

The following RJO vendors were recently recognized at the Summer Buying Show for their outstanding contributions to our organization

Loose Goods: GN Diamond

Finished Goods: Allison-Kaufman Ostbye

Clock/Watch Citizen Watch Co.

Service/Specialty Products: Edge by Abbott Jewelry Systems

Sales Representative of the Year:

Tim Marr, Ostbye

Ralph Crivelli, Victor Corp

Rising Star Awards: Galinteriors

Overnight Mountings

MDL Diamond Merchants

Friday Night Kick-Off Tower Winner: Parle

The latest RJO news and announcements

DID YOU HEAR THE BUZZ? RJO BREAKS ANOTHER SHOW RECORD!

RJO is buzzing with excitement as we celebrate breaking yet another Buying Show record! With sales totaling over $22.8 million, the 406 RJO retailers who swarmed to St. Louis came ready to BUY, BUY, BUY! This incredible turnout has crowned St. Louis 2024 the highest summer show sales in RJO Buying Show history. Congratulations, RJO!

This sweet success has us all abuzz, gearing up for the next show We're ready to gather with our hive in Phoenix 2025, where we hope RJO retailers bring the heat once again This show will kick off our new winter date pattern, taking place from February 21-24th We can't wait to celebrate with you!

But the Winter Show isn’t the only thing we ’ re working on This fall is full of opportunities to make your mark, including the RJO European Rock Tour, Foundation Scholarships, and Leadership Committee applications Now is the perfect time to dive into RJO, so be sure to check the back of this page for ways you can connect with this vibrant community!

As always, make sure you ' re staying connected by checking your email and following RJOExclusive on Facebook so you don’t miss a buzz-worthy announcement!

RJO HONORS LATE MIKE PRIBYL

The RJO recently honored the late Mike Pribyl with the RJO Lifetime Achievement Award As president of the RJO Foundation and a steadfast supporter of our organization, Mike made a lasting impact on our community His passing in January 2024 was a significant loss, but his legacy continues to inspire us The award was accepted by the Pribyl family in recognition of his dedication and contributions

RJO LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT WINNER:

Mike Pribyl

Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry & Gifts

COMING SOON: RJO FOUNDATION ART AUCTION

It’sback!JoinusfortheRJOFoundation'sannualArtAuction,whereyou canbidonastunningselectionofartworkwhilesupportingagreatcause!

FormerRJOFoundationPresident,MikeDoland,hasdonatedthis stunningandincrediblyintricategalleryofhisoriginalartworkinsupport oftheRJOFoundationHishopethesebeautifulpieceswillhangonthe storeandofficewallsofhisfellowRJOpeersallacrossthenation

ProceedsfromthisauctionwillgotowardsSpringandFall2025 ScholarshiprecipientsaswellastowardsbuildingtheFoundation endowmentforfuturesustainability.Everybidhelpsfurtherthemission oftheRJOFoundation.Readmoreonpage9!

Premier Art Auction Premier Art Auction

2024 RJO FOUNDATION

Mark Your Calendars! Mark Your Calendars!

1PM

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

It’s back! Join us for the RJO Foundation's annual Art Auction, where you can bid on a stunning selection of artwork while supporting a great cause!

Former RJO Foundation President, Mike Doland, has donated this stunning and incredibly intricate gallery of his original artwork in support of the RJO Foundation His hope these beautiful pieces will hang on the store and office walls of his fellow RJO peers all across the nation

Proceeds from this auction will go towards Spring and Fall 2025 Scholarship recipients as well as towards building the Foundation endowment for future sustainability.

Every bid helps further the mission of the RJO Foundation Explore the collection and get ready to place your bids starting now! For more details and to participate scan the QR Code or visit: www.32auctions.com/RJOFoundationArtAuction24

MEET THE ARTIST

Mike Doland is the founder and owner of Doland Jewelers He started the business in 1986 following an art teaching career Mike opened his own jewelry store in 1986 in Bellevue, Iowa and expanded the business to Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa by 2001.

As a jeweler Mike designed and hand-crafted jewelry and competed both statewide and nationally in design contests In retirement and after years of studying and designing with gemstones, Mike has carried the experience into painting. Part of his focus is painting beautiful gemstones that he viewed under a jeweler’s scope throughout his years in business.

As a founding member of the RJO Foundation, former RJO Foundation President, and longtime supporter of our entire organization, Mike’s artwork has raised nearly $40,000 for the RJO Foundation over the years.

The RJO Foundation sincerely thanks Mike for this amazing contribution! We are excited to share his talents with the organization.

Rolesofthiscommittee:

The RJO Foundation Board of Trustees has a duty to manage the business and affairs of the Foundation in accordancewitharticlesofincorporation,bylawsandotherdocumentsandthefoundationpoliciesinmeetingthe goalsandobjectivesoftheorganization.

Trustees are stewards who act on behalf of a foundation's constituents, including funders, members, and donors. TheBoardhastheprincipalresponsibilityforfulfillmentoftheFoundation'smissionandthelegalaccountabilityfor its operations As a group, they are in charge of establishing a clear mission, forming the strategic plan to accomplish the mission, overseeing and evaluating the plan's success, ensuring financial solvency of the organization, interpreting and representing the foundation, and instituting a fair system of policies and procedures fortrusteesasapplicabletofoundationoperations.

Responsibilities& Commitment:

In-personmeetingsheldateachbuyingshow

Trusteesmayalsobeaskedtoleadorserveon subcommitteesasneeded

Attendanceatspecialeventswillbeevaluated astheyaredetermined

Trusteesareselectedtoserveforatermofthree years.Trusteesareeligibletoservemultiple terms

Fundraising-specificExpectationsofTrustees:

FoundationTrusteesconsidertheFoundationaphilanthropicpriorityandmakeannualgiftsthatreflectthatpriority.

SothattheFoundationcancrediblysolicitcontributionsfromfoundations,organizations,andindividuals,itexpectstohave 100percentofTrusteesmakeanannualcontributionthatiscommensuratewiththeirfinancialability.

Inaddition,theFoundationexpectseachTrusteetoutilizetheirtime,industryand/orpersonalcontactsandotherresources toeducateandmakeasksofprospectorganizations,corporations,andindividuals

GeneralGuidelinesforIndividualBoardMemberFunctionsandResponsibilities:

Fiduciaryduty:Thisisadutytoacthonestly,ingoodfaith,andwithaviewtothebestinterestsoftheFoundation.Inherentin thefiduciarydutyofatrusteeistheresponsibilitytounderstandtherequirementsofthedutytodiscloseundertheconflict-ofinterestpoliciesoftheorganizationandcommonlawandtounderstandandadheretothedutyofconfidentiality

Dutyofcare:Atrusteeisrequiredtoexercisethecare,diligenceandskillthatareasonablyprudentpersonwouldexercisein comparablecircumstances Thisisthetrustee’sdutyofcare Thisrequirestrusteestotakethetimenecessarytomake informedbusinessjudgments

Duediligence:Thisisthereviewandinvestigation/researchthatthetrusteesconductbeforecomingtoadecisionona particularmatterorissue Thisincludessignificantrelianceongoodinformation,externaladvisors,onfinancialstatementsand supportfromtheCEOofRJO.Inaddition,annuallytheboardwillconduct,andeachmemberwillactivelyparticipatein,aselfevaluationandgroupevaluation.

Rolesofthiscommittee:

The RJO Next Generation Board is comprised of eight RJO members, appointed by the RJO BoardofDirectors,toaidmanagementinunderstandingtheneedsofthenextgenerationof independentretailersaswellasprovideinsighttothecurriculumoftheRJONextGeneration Experience

Responsibilities& Commitment:

TheNextGenBoardholdstwo(2) in-personmeetingsthroughouta calendaryear.Physicalpresence atthesemeetingsisrequired. Meetingsareheldatthe following:

RJOWinterBuyingShow RJOSummerBuyingShow

AttendanceattheRJONextGen Experience Thiseventisheldin theSpringorFall,everyother year.Physicalpresenceis required.

Occasionalavailabilityfor teleconferences

Positionservesathree-yearterm

NextGenBoardMemberreceivesuptofour-night’sstayat theshow’shosthotel

Receiveasecondroomforstoreforuptothreenightsstay attheshow’shosthotel

RegistrationfeeandlodgingarepaidfortheNextGen Experience

Apply Today!

Rolesofthiscommittee:

The Merchandise Review Committee (MRC) is a group of RJO members appointed by the Board of Directors, each serving a three-year term This committee plays a critical role in shaping the vendor partnershipsofRJO Thecommitteeisresponsibleforinterviewing,selecting,andnegotiatingcontracts with potential partners, ensuring they align with RJO’s standards. This committee also consistently reviews the vendor mix, re-negotiates partnership agreements, reviews membership evaluations, and updatestovendorpoliciesforexistingvendorswithinourorganization.

Responsibilities& Commitment:

Quarterlyreviewofallsubmitted prospectivevendorprofiles (vendorapplications)

Two–threeteleconferences scheduledduringagreedupon timesthroughouttheyear

Attendanceatfive(5)Review CommitteeMeetings Physical presenceatallmeetingsis required Meetingsareheldatthe following:

WinterBuyingShow–held January/February

SpringJointMeetingwithRJO BoardofDirectors(typically heldinApril)

JCKLastVegasShow*-plan onapproximatelyfourdaysin LasVegasforscheduled boothvisits(Friday–Monday)

SummerBuyingShow–held July/August

FallJointMeetingwithRJO BoardofDirectors(typically heldinOctober)

*DuringtheJCKLasVegasShowyouwillhave littletonotimetodoyourownbuying Mosttime isspentconductinginterviews,negotiating contractsandresearchingprospectivevendors