In Session

Sitting in the crowd at today’s annual general meeting, listening to presentations from 2005-2006 Chair Warren Bickford, ABC; President Julie Freeman, ABC, APR; and Finance Director Scott Cytron, ABC.

The session began at 4.15pm. I arrived a bit late, some ten minutes into the show where Warren had already started. I’d intended to live blog this meeting but no wifi connection in the room.

So, some points I captured from what I heard. Not at all any kind of official IABC representation of all that took place (and clearly not minutes of any type), purely my snapshot view. If I missed anything, or I’ve not correctly reported anything, please add your corrections to the comments!

Chair’s report (the part I captured):

2005 was a transition year. Thanks to all who pulled it together. Still some growing pains. Members, Chapters, Regions are all critical.
On governance: at the most recent meeting, the board decided on a new governance model for the board. It’s a continual building process. The structure is now sound.
I visited 52 chapters during my term (loud applause from the audience). Thanks for your hospitality.

Presidents report:

Accomplishments of headquarters staff. Much working together with volunteers, but staff make sure things are implemented.
Membership in 2005 grew by 7% - the first year since 2000 with membership growth. 13,824 members at end April.
Redesigned website: member input for the new design. The website now has pictures of members - spend ten minutes on your next visit and hit that page-refresh button frequently.
IABC Job Site: a resource for members and revenue for the association.
New press room last fall.
The blogosphere: Warren led the charge by opening up the IABC Cafe. We also have the Communication Commons: more focused discussions on issues of interest to members.
Design changes to CW magazine and to CW Bulletin. More content outside North America, eg, first European supplement. Coming: supplements on Asia Pacific, Africa and another for Europe.
We produced 9 new manuals, 6 new templates and 2 new books.
I did a radio interview and 3 newspaper interviews including the Wall Street Journal re book.
The international conference - 1,364 attendees at the 2005 conference. 1,420 for 2006, projected 1500.
We’ve done small conferences, with Harvard Business Press and Delahaye, developing Eurocomm with Europe Middle East Region, and a couple on our own. We continue monthly web seminars and teleseminars.
Gold Quill Awards - 1,007 entries in 2005 and 1,180 in 2006: 17% increase.
Accreditation - 156 application in 2005: 30% increase. For the first time, this programme is profitable (loud applause).
Chapter support - online resources, monthly communications, staff available on the phone. We now routinely call Chapter leaders to offer support.
Annual Leadership Institute - 201 leaders in 63 chapters, now 207/70. Regional LIs in Berlin, Cape Town, Melbourne.
2005 IABC’s most profitable year, the first since 1996. If we’re financially healthy, we can expand services to members, take a few risks, plan services for members.
Our promise to you is staff will provide timely and accurate information. Create opportunities to network, online and in person. Our success dependent on your success.

Finance Director’s report:

Your eyes won’t glaze over!
$464,078 over budget surplus.
The deficit has been eliminated 2 years ahead of schedule (loud applause)
Staff does what it can to manage expenses. The headquarters office in San Francisco is very modest. It’s an admirable trait.
Surplus/net income $681,716 - 313% over budget. Healthy cash flow. Increased unsecured line of credit. Our revenue target is $5.8m.
Deloitte & Touche did the audit. Clean opinion. I want to recognize Colleen Foster, ABC, Chair of the Audit Committee.
Motion: approve the auditors’ report. Seconded: Barbara Gibson, ABC. Passed.
Choosing new auditors. RFP to 3 auditors. Staff made recommendation. Not based on price alone. Recommendtaion will save $25k this year.
Motion for new auditors Hood & Strong LLP. Seconded: Barbara Gibson, ABC. Passed.
Investment Committee chaired by Lori Joseph, ABC. The committee met a few times by conference call. 2005 was the first time we had any money to invest.
Regional Grants Committe.
Finance manual completed.
Umbrella policy in place re bonding for North America. Seeking underwriting for bonding outside North America.
We’re pleased where we’re headed in the future. Continuous monitoring.
Thanks to Iqbal Parupia. Everyone, send him an email to say thanks.

[IABC's 2005 annual report including financial statements is published in the July-August edition of CW magazine.]

General Q&A:

Q: Re the Stephen Lewis challenge on HIV/AIDS, how we can change the story, mobilize our global network to change the story?
A: (Warren): Trying to put together an advocacy committee in 2005, it didn’t happen, Glenda will address that. Advocacy for the profession is one thing, issues another. We need to find ways to make those things comes together.

Q: The governance model - what is it?
A: (Warren): Changing composition of the Board from regional representation to competency based. Now a smaller board, how to interact together and with staff. IABC has lots of traditons. some good, some not so good. Knowledge nimbles(?) trust model: shifts the Board away from operational things, moves towards issues (like advocacy, promoting the profession).

Q: When and how filter information back to the chapters?
A: (Julie): The international board will take a little while to see how this will work. The primary link for info will be via the Region. Governance models have to fit the circumstances of the Board.

Q: Revenue/expenses projections - specifics?
A: (Scott): more to to with goals in the strategic plan re growth. Achieve revenue through programmes more than dues. (Julie): New staff positions in 2006: one to sell corporate membership packages, the other an additional IT person (applause). The primary reason for increase in expenses.

Q: Will the 500 Club be expanded?
A: (Julie): It’s not our intention. There are about 470 members now. We will cap at 500.

Q: IT help for small chapters to register members for events (benefit of additional IT person)
A: (Julie): Can’t give you a specific answer. Chris Hall spends time on tech isuses more than strategic ones. The new person is mid level not entry level. Free up Chris for strategic thinking. How we can support chapters better.

Q: (from Australia) It’s a misnomer to say IABC is not for profit as we are making a profit. We get questoions from members and the Chapter Board on why are rebates only for renewing members.
A: (Lee Anne Snedecker): We do rebate new member Chapter dues.

Motion to approve by law revisions - Todd Hattori, ABC, moved to approve those revisions. Seconded: Jill Sackett. Passed

Motion to ratify 2006-0207 Executive Board: Jill Sacket moved to approve the motion. Seconded: Steve(?). Passed

(5.34pm) Warren passes the gavel (glass) to Glenda Holmes, ABC, the 2006-20007 Chair, saying “Anything you need, call Scott!”

Glenda Holmes, ABC:

It’s a big honour, a priviledge to be your Chair. I’ve got every job in my professional career thanks to IABC. A moment about Mr Bickford. 2005 was a great year for IABC. I applaud one more time for great achivements. Now time to look ahead. A great time for IABC. Now the time and a great position to look more outward. Attention on issues. This is not about me, it’s about IABC and you. My job and that of the Board is to push and ask questions. Kelly Garrett is Chair of the IABC Research Foundation.

Our focus is on the strategic plan. The member experience. Strategic international growth is a key objective. Chapters are our shareholders and members our salesforce. (Glenda introduced each Board member).

[Listen to Glenda's thoughts as the new Chair in today's earlier podcast interview.]

Warren: Thanks to Tom Keefe for covering the IABC Cafe.

Barbara Gibson, ABC, moves to adjourn the meeting. Jill Sackett seconds the motion. Passed. Meeting closed at 5.50pm.