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Bright Idea Becomes A Model For Change
By: Scott E. Siegel, MAS
Issue: 2010mar
Return with me to the fall of 2006. Election results for the PPAI Board of Directors are announced. Roni Wright, MAS; Tina Montgomery, MAS; Steve Woodburn, MAS; and I are elected.
In our first year on the board, Tina, Roni, Steve and I spend much of our time studying issues to get up to speed and contributing when we have strong opinions and the chutzpah to speak up.
In 2008, as the experienced sophomore class of the board, we discuss issues important to us and think ahead to what positive changes we might be able to champion when we become chair and vice chairs of the board. One issue that repeatedly surfaces is the need for improvement in PPAI’s committee process.
At some point in the year, our close board class is struck a blow as Steve Woodburn unfortunately leaves the industry for a period of time, and David Woods, MAS, is appointed to fill the seat. It doesn’t take long for us to recognize that David, a former board chair, will bring a tremendous amount of experience and wisdom to our class.
In 2009, discussions heat up about our agenda for 2010. Much of the talk gravitates to committee governance. We begin to focus on what we think is broken in the committee structure and what we want the outcomes of change to look like. We agree that we want committee volunteerism to be more rewarding, flexible and meaningful.
We also agree there needs to be more accountability, inclusiveness and training. We are painfully aware that Association members are working harder than ever to survive the economy and have less time to volunteer. From our experience, we know that many members don’t have three years to give to a committee, that having one show provides only one opportunity for a face-to-face meeting, and that some committees have unclear goals and infrequent conference calls.
In the spring of 2009, we realize that to implement change while we are still board members, we need to start planning for change before we are seniors. We formally present our concerns and ideas to Sherri Lennarson, MAS, board chair. Immediately she forms a task force comprised of herself, Eric Ekstrand, MAS, incoming board chair-elect, and the incoming Executive Committee comprised of our class and Brandon Mackay, MAS.
The Committee Governance Task Force quickly springs into action with the invaluable help and input of Lisa Beck, manager, executive offices, Steve Slagle, CAE, president; and Paul Bellantone, CAE, executive vice president, respectively, in order to plan for discussion and input from all the committee chairs attending Leadership Development Week (LDW) in Dallas in June 2009.
The meeting with the committee chairs is a huge success as measured by the open discussion and the amount of valuable feedback from this august group of volunteers. Promises are made to provide them with notes from the meeting in a timely fashion and keep them informed of the task force’s progress.
The next six months are marked by furious activity. Notes from LDW are disseminated and surveys are sent to committee chairs, staff liaisons, board liaisons and committee members. Seven conference calls are held interspersed with a deluge of e-mails, phone calls and written proposals.
Members of the task force encounter unanimity, dissension and self-doubt, but there is always a commitment to meaningful change. As the days grow shorter and the PPAI Expo looms on the horizon, there is serious debate about waiting another year to implement change. However, a consensus forms around the importance of instituting the changes at Expo even if we don’t have all the answers and can’t tidy up all the loose ends.
In December 2009, a month before Expo, the proposal is sent to the board, and in a conference call, it is discussed and passed unanimously. Information is developed and sent to the committee chairs to prepare them for the Volunteer Leadership Luncheon, a training and Q & A session and the ensuing meetings.
In January, the task force members embark for Las Vegas knowing there will be questions and some confusion but that the many hours of work and the resulting reorganization will mark the beginning of an evolutionary process that will benefit everyone in our imperfect but invaluable volunteer Association.
I am glad to report that our hard work was met with much enthusiasm, some concerns and valuable feedback. There is still more work to be done.
In the next several months, look for the introduction of a new, online application that you can use to sign up for volunteer service. For the first time you will be able to volunteer for a three-year term on a standing committee, a one or two-year term on an action group, service on a task force or short-term volunteering to answer surveys, serve on a focus group or offer advice or opinions. You’ll be able to tailor your volunteerism to fit your needs. I truly believe you’ll find it a more meaningful and rewarding experience.
Scott E. Siegel, MAS, is president of Chicago, Illinois-based supplier R.S. Owens & Co., Inc. (UPIC: RSOWENS).
773-628-5201
s.siegel@rsowens.com
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