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    When Everyone Belongs to Facebook, LinkedIn, and more, Who Needs Associations?

    August 23rd, 2010
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    By Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA

    This week I am attending the national conference of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership) conference in Los Angeles. During an early breakout on Sunday, the presenter reminded us of the definition of “associations.” They are defined as organizations where individuals with similar goals or interests join together. It is that simple.

    Yet isn’t it accurate to say that this is what social networking sites are really all about? Like many of you, I joined Facebook to connect with those with whom I shared a similar history—family, friends from Philadelphia, and students I taught. Soon I discovered communities of those who belonged to the same swim club I frequented as a teen, attended the same synagogue and the same schools, where reminiscing ruled the posts.

    In recent years my social networking has taken a new turn: I have joined the IECA community on Facebook to connect with educational consultants, and through LinkedIn I exchange information and ideas with fellow association executives. We discuss the changing landscape of member relations, share new ideas for conferences and distance learning, argue ethics and expenses, and examine topics like, well, social media and blogging.

    One discussion that kept popping up among the gathered association professionals this past weekend was whether the need still exists for us. After all, if LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and others are allowing anyone to join communities of like-minded individuals—the very definition of associations—and they do it essentially at no cost, why should anyone join an association?

    The answer is one that will please some and distress others among my colleagues. It seems that those associations ONLY built around sharing, communicating, and exchanging are doomed to fail, as new technologies not only offer these abilities, but they do it better and cheaper. If you could start a LinkedIn Group for tutors and get a real exchange of members, why pay to join an association built around exchanging information among tutors?

    Yet other associations seem ready to gain in this era of ‘new media.’ Those associations that form around a commitment to certain ideals; who stand firm on membership criteria (so “membership” holds greater meaning than a Facebook “friend”); who develop and enforce ethical and knowledge-based standards; who are committed to ensuring that not only does all information get shared, but that important information—new information—gets taught, shared, discussed, and instituted as a framework for professional success; these associations are poised to grow and succeed as others devolve into Web-based pseudo-clubs.

    So what does this mean specifically for the Independent Educational Consultants Association? I am confident that we fall into the second category. Evidence is everywhere. We have not only maintained our requirements for membership, we have strengthened them. This year we established our key-competencies in our Standards of Excellence—the only such comprehensive document for this profession, which was recently singled out by a Harvard study as evidence of our leadership. We have acted in just the past month, as we have in the past, to remove members who violate our Principles of Good Practice. And with this, our membership has grown significantly, even in this tough economy.

    This growth, in an ironic twist, has strengthened other forms of networking: regional groups have started, or are organizing, in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, among others. Affinity groups are joining together new moms; expanding awareness on issues involving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people in our industry; technology gurus; and more. Our Facebook page is closing in on 1,000 fans and the IECA blog is read by hundreds. Why would IECA’s own social media efforts be doing so well when so many options exist? Simple: people know that those IECA educational consultants they are communicating with, asking questions of, responding to, and more, are professionals of great competence, and are dedicated to students, the role of choosing the right educational environment, and more. IECA members are not just like-minded, but serious professionals recognized both within and beyond our organization.

    In other words, with so many social media or affiliation opportunities, people are being drawn to the sites and the organizations that set high standards and where members fully understand their profession and the value of sharing. And this is exactly what the research being conducted shows. Why do people put up with our higher than other association dues; with membership applications that require a demonstration of knowledge, experience, and training; with strict ethics requirements? It is because they know membership in such an organization MEANS something.

    The future of associations—associations like IECA—is exciting, and limitless, as long as we maintain our commitment to excellence, professionalism, education, high standards, and above all, putting families’ and students’ needs first.

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    Haiti Crisis’ IECA Connection

    January 28th, 2010
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    by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA

    Can I admit that I tuned out? After a week of tearfully watching the news and reading stories of orphaned children, collapsed schools, amputated limbs, starving babies, and grieving families, my mind needed to escape and so, I tuned out. I watched American Idol instead of CNN, and The Daily Show over the Nightly News. Last weekend I turned on the TV but quickly switched from CBS to the Food Network to Comedy Central. It was no use as the telethon for Haiti was everywhere my remote took me. Yes, I had donated and yes, I felt compassion but frankly after a week, somehow things seemed more daunting and hopeless.

    Then a few things seeped past my defenses. There were still rescues, unbelievably, after a week, 10 days, and 12 days. The looting we were told was inevitable never really materialized, despite the desperation and lack of a working government. I saw a story on ABC about an Israeli MASH unit set up on a soccer field with a maternity ward and NIC unit that was operating so effectively that babies were being born, healthy, and being named “Israel” by grateful parents.

    A few days ago I received a message from an IECA associate member, Maryline Kruger (FL). A native of Haiti herself, it brought an international crisis into our own community. While Maryline’s immediate family survived, she shared with me the desperation many shared and the daily struggle to meet the necessities of life.  Maryline posted her personal message on the IECA TalkList a few days ago. After reading her message I wanted to write one last comment, perhaps a final reminder about what Haiti needs. My thoughts are no more insightful but I felt the need to comment, perhaps thinking of others who, like me, had to tune out for a while.

    Needs are still immediate: food, water, and medical care. Nearly 2,000 emergency medical responders remain in Haiti and the U.S. military, as well as U.N. forces, continue to be the sole source of food and water for many.

    But I worry about the generation of kids. Perhaps a million are now without parents. Nearly all with a future further challenged by living in tent cities or worse, without nourishment, medicine, communications, and schooling. For me—and nearly all of you I’m sure, it is our emotional connection to children that motivates us in our work and personal lives, and motivates me now to make just one more donation to save the children of Haiti.

    I know many have given all they can. I hope others will join Maryline in giving just a few dollars more to the charity of their choice—for the kids, for their survival, for their future.

    Now, I promise, back to IECA business.

    2 comments - Latest by:
    • Sue DePra
      Well said, boss!
    • Maryline D. Kruger
      Dear Mark, Thank you for your support and for asking our members not to forget. Maryline

    Board to Explore Ways to Make IECA TalkList More Valuable

    January 27th, 2010
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    by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA

    Based on a request brought by the IECA Special Needs Committee, the Board of Directors met via teleconference last week. Knowing that members overwhelmingly view the TalkList as a valuable benefit (based on the January 2010 member survey), the effort focused on ways to make the TalkList both more valuable but also ensure that several current concerns are addressed.

    Concerns focused on just a few specific area: (1) the tendency of some to reveal too much information in  a case study such that client confidentiality could be compromised; (2) the tendency of some to present so little background as to call in to question whether the person making the post is qualified or ‘did their homework’ before asking for assistance; (3) the actions of some in forwarding TalkList postings to individuals outside of IECA (often in schools or programs), a clear violation of the rules that members agree to support.

    Board consensus was that the regulations established should be shared with members more frequently. It was felt that often members sign the TalkList agreement but forget expectations, like proper titles. There was discussion about online training that would review what constitutes a good case study posting: one that provides sufficient information but no identifying characteristics, and demonstrates the research done by the consultant prior to the post. It was also felt that members need to be reminded that it is unacceptable to forward postings outside the membership and that doing so is basis for being removed from the TalkList.

    There was discussion about the possibility of creating a TalkList mentor group. Their role would be to assist those trying to frame a posting or to contact those who post something considered improper to explain why and provide assistance in changing to a more valuable post.

    Many on the Board felt that there were more significant problems of members venturing into advising beyond their expertise. This was judged to be an issue beyond just the TalkList and will be addressed separately.

    The Board will continue this work and create a series of proposals. You may share your thoughts in the comments section below this blog, or send your comments to IECA board president Diane Geller at dianegeller@gmail.com or to me at msklarow@iecaonline.com.

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