[Chapters-l] Chapter Assembly Director's Spring Report

[beata_panagopoulos at Harvard.Edu]

Dear Chapter Leaders,

It’s time for a spring update on all the great things that have happened 
in ASIS&T during the long winter months that have an impact on chapters.

ASIS&T ONLINE MEMBERSHIP DATABASE
The most exciting development since November is the unveiling of the 
online membership database and the availability of various canned 
membership reports.  Authorized chapter leaders can get Chapter Rosters 
and Chapter Updates Reports.  They are available in PDF and CSV.  There 
has been enthusiastic acclaim for this new capability and many chapter 
leaders have requested authorization to use the new online reporting 
tools.

However, in order to take full advantage of the new online database, we 
need your help!  In November, each ASIS&T member was asked by Dick Hill to 
update his/her profile online.  Unfortunately, very few people have filled 
out the sections “Just for the Web” and that for areas of expertise.  This 
database is a potentially powerful tool to help chapters organize 
programs.  For example, if the data is there, you can find an ASIS&T 
member expert in the field from your geographic area with one easy search. 
 So please, after you fill out these sections for yourself, spread the 
word to your chapter members.  In your communications with your members, 
remind them to check out the new database and complete their profiles. 
Remember—it’s all about the data!

NEW CHAPTER INNOVATION AWARD
The second most exciting development is the new Chapter Innovation Award 
approved by the ASIS&T Board.  Many thanks to Amy Wallace, Dietmar 
Wolfram, and Stephanie Wright for shepherding the proposal through the 
approval process.  “The purpose of the award is to recognize innovation by 
a chapter during the previous year (July-June) that will have a positive 
impact on future operations, collaborations, or communications within the 
chapter, of other chapters, or of other units within ASIS&T.  Any type of 
innovation by one or more chapters is eligible.”  We are hoping that the 
availability of such recognition will encourage those chapters that might 
be high on effort and creativity, but lacking in resources to apply for an 
award.  The guidelines and E-SUBMIT link for the award can be found at 
http://www.asis.org/awards/chapterinnovation.html .  We encourage you to 
submit nominations for the award!

CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT FUND
Please don’t forget the Chapter Development Fund.  “The Chapter 
Development Fund was established to provide chapters with a resource (1) 
for building, developing and strengthening the chapter above and beyond 
what could be accomplished with local resources and (2) to make possible 
projects which could not happen with local resources.”  See Appendix N of 
the Chapter Officer’s Manual 
http://www.asis.org/AboutASIS/chofficermanual.pdf .  We have an easy 
template for Chapter Development Fund proposals which is available at 
http://www.asis.org/Chapters/chapters.html under Chapter Resources.

CONTENT FOR THE CHAPTER RESOURCES SECTION OF THE ASIS&T WEBSITE
If you have anything you’d like us to post to the ASIS&T website such as 
podcasts, PowerPoints, and/or audio files you would like to share, send 
them on to us!

YOUR CHAPTER ASSEMBLY ADVISORS
Your Chapter Assembly Advisors are available to help you with any 
questions or problems you might have.  Take advantage of them – they have 
a lot of experience and great ideas!
** Marija Dalbello 2004-06 (Pacific Northwest, Potomac Valley, New Jersey)
** Darcy Duke 2005-07 (New England, Florida, Metro New York, and Indiana)
** Deb Helman 2004-06 (Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan
** Linda McCann, 2004-06 (Los Angeles, East Tennessee, Taipei, and Europe)
** Rosemary Ashton, 2005-07 (Northern Ohio, Central Ohio, Southern Ohio)

CHAPTER OFFICER LISTS ON THE ASIS&T WEBSITE
The lists of chapter officers on the ASIS&T website should be up-to-date. 
Please verify that they are, and if not, let me know.

COMMUNICATION WITH ASIS&T LEADERSHIP
Michael Leach has offered to talk with chapter leaders via a telephone 
conference call. Topics to be covered could be the development of canned 
programs, Chapter/SIG collaborations, and “regional meetings.”  What do 
you think of this offer – is a conference call the best vehicle for this 
type of discussion?

As always, thank you for all your hard work putting on terrific programs 
and offering our members so many learning, networking, and leadership 
development opportunities at the local and regional levels!

If you have any questions or responses, don’t hesitate to contact Amy 
Wallace or me, or even better, post it to Chapters-L.

Happy spring!
Beata

Beata Panagopoulos
ASIS&T Chapter Assembly Director
Tel. 617-496-1775
Email: beata_panagopoulos at harvard.edu