[Chapters-l] What does it mean to be an ASIS&T chapter in anelectronic age?

Sun Jun 4 23:30:40 EDT 2006

Greetings, all.  Here are a few thoughts I had in response to Beata's post
(coming from a Michigan Chapter perspective):

When I read this topic for consideration, I found myself asking "so what"?
What's the purpose of understanding what it means to be a chapter in an
elecronic age?  What's the goal if, in fact, an answer is even achieved?
The "electronic age" in which we presently exist will inevitably and very
quickly change over time -- in very little time.  I like Andrew's suggested
rephrasing of the question, "What does it mean to be an ASIS&T chapter in
the 21st century," this certainly captures more breadth and scope in regards
to where we are at many levels: within our Society, or inidividual
disciplines, geographic boundaries, and other demographic/social/economic
factors.

So, in response to the questions:

1. What are some successful strategies, technology etc. that are helping
bring together people from large geographic areas?
> e-mail and video conferencing; but this is ad hoc success and is only a
> success based on the leadership driving the technology

 2. How has technology helped your chapter do business more effectively or
effieciently?
> our respective banks' online banking service; e-mail

3. What is the value of the chapter when someone can do online workshops,
programs?
> the Michigan chapter has never conducted an online workshop; what value
> would that bring? -- probably very little, IMHO.  Michigan has a high
> percentage of academics who are working with ASIS&T more at a national
> level (publication/tenure strategists).  However, if the time and
> technical support -- as well as the content specialists -- were readily
> available, then I would think that the volunteers who dedicate their
> "copious" spare time in running the chapters and those chapter members who
> actually "use" the chapter events/activities would in fact find some value
> to this approach.

 4. What is the added value of a chapter when we have online newsletters and
publications?
> I think this is a great value for Chapters.  This could be done via
> e-mail, through a Website, or through a Blog or Wiki.  I would LOVE to see
> MI have this -- but who has the time?  Our chapter officers are so pressed
> with a variety of priorities -- ASIS&T, real-world/paying jobs, family,
> and (dare we even say) a social life!

5. What if all the chapters were dismantled?  What would your members miss?
>  Personally, if ALL chapters were dismantled, that would not be good
> because there are some very active Chapters -- from the leadership and
> membership end who would certainly miss it (but does that constitute *not*
> dismantling all chapters?).  It's like any business -- you can have great
> leaders and piss-poor employees, and if that's the case, the company will
> eventually flop.  However, on the other side of the coin, if you have poor
> leaders and an active/motivated membership (employees) -- they could start
> a coup and "oust" the leadership and get new blood.  This we see in many
> cases (not necessarily with Chapters, I'm referring to the "business"
> analogy).  But, if ALL chapters were dismantled, I do not believe the
> Michigan chapter members would miss it.

Final thoughts:
It proves very un-rewarding when the chapter members are un-responsive.
It's one thing to have good Chapter leaders, but in order to be a successful
chapter it must also have good Chapter members.  I've been in Michigan now
for 6 years and have seen many different attempts and approaches to
energizing our membership, which are either short-lived or unresponsive
altogether.  It's frustrating to be a volunteer (either leader or member)
and work toward an effort that is not acknowledged or received very well.

I also echo Penny's point on the personal interfacing values to Chapter
programs/meetings.  This is key to the human value of "membership."
Absolutely, hands down, a value that we all look for.  This is also what
Andrew was addressing.

With that said, I'll attempt to respond to Andrew's proposed set of Qs:

1.  What mission(s) do chapters exist to serve? e.g.: networking, current
awareness of developments in Information Science and practice, meet ASIS&T
and industry leaders, professional organization involvement at local levels.
> Ah!  What a concept!  Do the Chapters have a "strategic plan" like
> National?  Do we have individual mission, vision, and planning statements?
> Perhaps most of us in an ad hoc fashion -- but is this something that we
> can brand and sell to our current and potential members?  Loosely, I could
> respond to this by saying, yes to all of the examples given above.

2.  What goals and objectives can a local chapter realistically set itself
or adopt that promote serving the mission?
I think, realistically and from the Michigan Chapter perspective, providing
one meeting a year -- this should occur either just before or after ASIS&T
Annual Meeting.  This would be the one-year event to meet local chapter
members, hear about new research and emerging technologies in the
area/discipline/globally, and would promote the ASIS&T Annual Meeting (could
obviously do other things as well such as give awards, announce new
officers, promote ASIS&T, etc.).

3.  Who are the people and organizations within scope of a local chapter?
Michigan has a large dynasty on hand -- University of Michigan.  Because
most of our members come from UoM, this is a huge academic and research
dilemma in terms of providing local chapter servies -- how do we give these
folks the services they want/need that they aren't getting already elsewhere
(particularly from the UoM).  There's much more on this issue, but it's
local and since it's not in Beata's scope for the Board retreat, I'll
refrain.

4.  What are the real values of having a "real", not "virtual" chapter?  I
can think of several and not all of them can be accomplished with the latest
and greatest technology, sometimes the telephone or a walk down the hallway
is most suitable.
>Excellent rhetorical question, Andrew!  Ditto! :-)

5.  What are real barriers to accomplishing the mission?
*  geographics
*  leadership
*  active membership
*  time (energy)
*  motivation
*  authoritative/consistent resources, data sets, membership information

OK, that's all.  Hope this helps.
--Ali.
(Michigan Chapter Secretary/Treasurer)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <beata_panagopoulos at harvard.edu>
To: <chapters-l at asis.org>
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 12:29 PM
Subject: [Chapters-l] What does it mean to be an ASIS&T chapter in
anelectronic age?

>
> Dear past and present chapter leaders,
>
> In two weeks. the ASIS&T Executive Board will be having a retreat.  One of
> the possible topics for consideration is "What does it mean to be a
> chapter
> in an
> electronic age?"   Naturally, this will not be a very informed discussion
> if we don't first have YOUR ideas and feedback.
>
> Amy Wallace has come up with a few more specific questions to get the ball
> rolling.  Please answer to the list, so we can get a discussion going.  If
> you have your own questions to add to the mix, that would be great.
>
> We're going to follow up this discussion with a conference call.  The
> conference call will be limited to 6-8 Chapter Leaders and we still have
> room for 3 more people.  So, if you're interested in participating in the
> conference call Tuesday, June 13, 2:30-3:30 p.m. EST.
>
> Here are some questions to consider-
>
> 1. What are some successful strategies, technology etc. that are helping
> bring together people from large geographic areas?
>
> 2. How has technology helped your chapter does business more effectively
> or
> effieciently?
>
> 3. What is the value of the chapter when someone can do online workshops,
> programs?
>
> 4. What is the added value of a chapter when we have online newsletters
> and
> publications?
>
> 5. What if all the chapters were dismantled?  What would your members
> miss?
>
> Thanks very much for your valuable participation!
>
> Beata
>
> Beata Panagopoulos
> ASIS&T Chapter Assembly Director
>
> Head of Technical Services
> Kennedy School of Government Library
> Harvard University
> 79 JFK Street
> Cambridge, MA 02138
> tel. 617-496-1775
> fax 617-495-1972
> email: beata_panagopoulos at harvard.edu
>
>
>
>
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