Bill:

I would imagine that the 16% number also applies to attendance at Chapter functions.   I am at a loss as to what else can be done to draw members out.

Some say they can not come to lunch meetings because of the lack of company support.  Others say they can not come to dinner meetings because of family.  What is the benefit of being a member if you do not take advantage of the education or the networking?

If I were a boss who was paying membership fees that were not being taken advantage of, I would probably either think badly of the employee or that the association is useless.

What else can be done by the association?  The chapters go out of their way to get good speakers.  They vary the meetings from lunch to dinner.  They have seminars and conferences.  They have excellent webinars and newsletters..... But still people complain or just don't attend.

I gave up on being a member of the chapter board for exactly this reason.....  The dedicated few are having to spoon feed the rest.

It's a serious case of apathy.... , but who cares?  Obviously, I do or I would not have written this tirade.  Obviously everyone on the listserve does or they would not be giving freely of their advice to each other.

What else can be done?  Any ideas?

Graham Kitchen
Corporate Records Manager
Unified Western Grocers
5200 Sheila Street
Commerce, CA 90040
Office Phone: (323) 264-5200 ext. 4560
Cell Phone:  (323) 243-1865



-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2006 10:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: We Can Do Better


ARMA Members-Voters
 
 
Please pardon me for getting on the election issue again. Certainly we  can 
and should do better than 16%. The excuses to date have been very week and I  
would like to hear some input on suggestions for increasing member  
participation. We are at a critical stage in the competitive recognition and  position 
opportunities for our members. We depend upon our leadership (Board  Members) to 
represent and advance our profession. We should place close  attention to 
their positions and vote to show our professional involvement and  support of 
stated objectives. I tried to provide a more open approach this past  year in 
accordance with the existing AL (Administrative Letter). These were  rejected and 
blocked by the EMC resulting in candidates refusing to participate.  That’s a 
weakness in itself. Other suggestions have included: (1) Inclusion of  voting 
turnout as a criteria for chapter award. (2) Free conference registration  
from voter drawing. (3) Award to chapter managers/coordinators for voting  
response. (4) Voting results that show chapters and region votes. (4)  Campaigning 
guidelines. The EMC screens and approves all candidates. Every  candidate is 
considered qualified to serve based upon the EMC slate  approval. 
Other suggestions????? 
Bill Benedon

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