live from the national board

Today is the AICP National Board meeting. The National Board is comprised of all the regional presidents, the executive committee, the AICP staff, legal counsel, etc. They meet twice a year to discuss the major issues facing our industry and the association. At least that's what I assume they do. I've never attended one or discussed it with anyone that had. This year I was invited to attend. 

And, just when I thought the AICP was getting their shit together they take a backward step and include me. In truth, I'm flattered and excitedly curious to be a part of it. 

It has been a tough year for everyone including the AICP. There has been a lot of criticism thrown in their direction. It has ranged from their relevancy and effectiveness to their structures and policies. Some of it has been deserved and others unfounded. I have written about the association consistently throughout the year. I have tried to be fair in my assessments but admittedly at times I may have been, dare I say, mistaken.  Whether right or wrong, fair or unfair, creating a more effective trade association is everyones shared ideal. Finding solutions the majority can agreed upon and effectively enact is the hurdle. Over coming those obstacles begins with open dialogue both publicly and privately. 

I feel those discussions have taken place more this year than in any other. Maybe it's because I actually started paying attention. Maybe it's because our industry is at a critical juncture. Maybe it's because we are making less but asked to do more. It's probably all of the above and then some.

In a West Coast board meeting a couple months back, everyone in the room was asked to speak. Frank Sherma from Radical Media talked of his 20 plus years of service to the organization. The time and effort he dedicated to creating a viable trade association. When it was my turn to speak I talked of my 20 plus days of participation in the organization and how little I had contributed. 

Frank spoke of why he had been dedicated to the organization. His leadership helped the industry grow and along with it his business. I spoke of why I hadn't been dedicated to the organization. I was doing fine without lifting a finger. Frank was in the room because it's part of who he is. I was in the room because it's part of what I need to become, and not because I want to play politics. The industry is in transitional times and the policies of my clients, the agencies and the AICP are greatly impacting my business, not just today but for the future of what the industry will become. If there was ever a time to give back, now would be it. 

I'm going to dedicate a day away from the office to find out how our trade association work. How the organization is structure. What is the national agenda. Who are all these people attending. Maybe it will shed a new light or confirm all my suspicions. In either case, I'm excited to witness the event. If they don't NDA, when I gather my thoughts I'll report back what I discovered.