[acb-hsp] affiliate growth

Mon Jul 23 16:13:31 EDT 2012

Hi Andy,
thanks for what you said too.  I noticed we kept dancing around the problem
and I finally got tired of it so decided to speak up.  When I talked about
officers leaving the call early or as soon as possible upon the conclusion
of a presentation I wasn't referring to you.  I may not always agree with
your viewpoint, but i find you to vbe a conscientious and dedicated
individual and I appreciate you as well as others welcoming my involvement
within the affiliate.  I too was unable to attend convention this year due
to financial reasons but am very much looking forward to columbus next year.
if all goes as planned I intend to be there and I hope we will have better
luck in growing this affiliate throughout this year as well as during
convention week.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <Andrew.Baracco at va.gov>
To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals" <acb-hsp at acb.org>
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 12:19 PM
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth


> Hi Donna,
>
> Thank you for your candor and frankness.  What you said is what we need
> to hear, and I agree with most of it.  Not sure about the part about
> officers hanging up early, at least I don't recall ever doing so.  I
> agree that the calls should take place monthly.  Not sure why we changed
> it, except that the calls were so poorly attended, even when we had some
> great speakers.  I was not able to attend convention this year due to
> financial and other concerns.  That's just the way life goes.  At this
> point, I do plan to be in Columbus next year.  In defense of the
> officers, sometimes you just really get down when you feel like you are
> carrying the whole load.  My view about leadership is that its job is to
> provide direction, but not to do all the heavy lifting.  I agree that we
> need to be more active during the year, and I. for one will welcome your
> participation.
>
> Take care,
> Andy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf
> Of Donna
> Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 8:25 PM
> To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
> Subject: [acb-hsp] affiliate growth
>
> Hi All,
> I need to put a disclaimer at the beginning of this message because I
> have
> some observations to make and I do not want anyone's feelings to  be
> hurt by
> them.  So I warn you in advance that if you want to read some honest
> thoughts and suggestions and you are willing to put your feelings aside
> and
> listen objectively please  continue.  Otherwise there is always the
> delete
> key.
>
> Let me state here that I like all the people who are in leadership
> positions
> of this affiliate so please understand my words are meant to be
> constructive
> in nature.
>
> I think the issue we face as an affiliate is much bigger then just the
> convention.  There doesn't seem to be much  commitment  to the
> organization
> by those in leadership positions and there is a definite disconnect that
> has
> been going on for a long time among members.  When we had convference
> calls
> once a month members had an opportunity to attend and listen to guest
> speakers or network with one another.  Now conference calls are every
> other
> month and it is unclear as to which Sunday night they actually take
> place
> since it seems as though such trivial things as the Superbowl cause
> those in
> charge to change the date.  the other thing I have noticed as it relates
> to
> conference calls is that there seems to be an urgency for those who are
> in
> leadership positions to hang up as soon as possible. It's like they are
> only
> there out of obligation and as soon as they can finish their duties they
> want to leave.  this has happened when we have had outside guest
> speakers
> and I must say that I was totally embarrassed by their actions.  I was
> also
> embarrassed when listening on ACB radio to the convention and during
> the most important days when it is almost certainly probable that a roll
> call vote for affiliates would be needed the individual who was  so
> vocal
> during the week was not present.  Even Sunday night when Marlaina asked
> who
> the delegates were going to be and who was going to nominating committee
> that same person stood up and asked if others would come forward to
> assume
> the responsibility as she intended leaving before crutial voting was to
> take
> place.
>
> I think what all the things I've mentioned above says to  the ACB
> membership
> as a whole is hey look at us we are attempting to be an affiliate, but
> we
> are really unorganized and don't take pride in the democratic
> opportunity we
> have been given within ACB.
>
> But there are ways to fix this and if you want to hear my constructive
> suggestions read on.
>
> 1.  Resume regular monthly conference calls and do not deviate from the
> date
> time and call in number or pass code.
> 2. If inviting a guest speaker be precise in what you wish to have them
> speak about anhd advertise aggressively and well in advance.
> 3. Some time should be set aside to talk about affiliate business at
> least
> once a month even when there are guest speakers. During this time we
> should
> actually talk about fundraising and ways to grow our membership as well
> as
> forming working committees that actually do something and get reports
> from
> their chairs.
> 4. Officers should devote the timenecessary to attend these calls and
> understand that having this type of leadership position means it is a
> part
> of their duties.
>
> In order to accomplish these things we have to start looking at the big
> picture which goes way beyond the scope of low attendance at
> conventions.
> Those are my thoughts at the moment. Now don't everyone go throwing
> rotten
> tomatoes all a once.  First of all because i like those who are involved
> with this affiliate.  Secondly because I hate even fresh tomatoes.  And
> finally because all I'm trying to do here is help.  Smile.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Baracco, Andrew W" <Andrew.Baracco at va.gov>
> To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals"
> <acb-hsp at acb.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 1:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] Diversity training session at ACB convention
>
>
>> Let's blame it all on GDUI. They seem to have stuff going on all week
>> long, every day, every night. I can't tell you how many people have
> told
>> me that they can't attend a function because it competes with
> something
>> that GDUI is doing.
>> Seriously, one suggestion might be to somehow limit the number of
>> functions a committee or affiliate can have.  One thing that I have
>> noticed is that similar groups are starting to have combined programs,
>> which is a good thing. One thing that small affiliates struggle with
> is
>> the cost of putting on programs, especially mixers which involved food
>> and drinks.  In the past, we used to buy supplies such as food and
>> drinks from a local Costco, or whatever, and bring it into the suite
>> where the party was being held.  But in the last few years, this
>> practice has been pretty much forbidden by ACB forcing us to deal with
>> the hotel, which charges such exorbitant prices.  This causes you to
>> charge higher ticket prices or to bleed your small treasury in an
>> attempt to make ticket prices more reasonable.  I can't believe how
> much
>> it cost HSP to have a party where all that was served was ice tea,
>> water, and chips. The convention climate is not very friendly to the
>> little guy. Again, joining with other groups seems like the best
> answer
>> for the time being. We have a year to work on Columbus, and I would
> urge
>> everyone who has an interest in the survival of this group to make
>> constructive suggestions either on this list, or on the conference
>> calls, which should start again in August.
>>
>> Andy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On
> Behalf
>> Of MARILYN LUTTER
>> Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 10:16 AM
>> To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
>> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] Diversity training session at ACB convention
>>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> when I got back from convention I had hundreds of email messages so I
> am
>> just getting to respond.  I am a human service provider or I should
> say
>> was.
>> I am now retired.
>>
>> I share your concern about why we haven't been able to grow this
>> affiliate.
>> I was at the convention and had so many conflicts that I couldn't go
> to
>> many of the sessions I would like to have attended.
>>
>> My opinion about the poor attendance at affiliate programs is that
> there
>> are too many things going on at convention.  Most of the sessions and
>> meetings I was able to attend were poorly attended.  I know of one
>> affiliate who didn't have a quorum for their business meeting.
>>
>> I happened to sit next to Melanie Brunson on my flight home.  I
> mentions
>> my concern about this to her.  She said this was not the first time
>> anyone had mentioned the problem to her.  Basically she said no one
>> wants to say no to anyone who wants to be on the program.
>>
>> I know other people who think the schedule is too full.  In the last
> few
>> years, it seems every ACB committee a program at the convention.  I
>> believe this is a partial reason why so many affiliate programs are so
>> poorly attended.  I am not sure what the answer is, but maybe some of
>> the rest of you will have some ideas.
>>
>> Marilyn Lutter Original Message -----
>> From: "J.Rayl" <thedogmom63 at frontier.com>
>> To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals"
>> <acb-hsp at acb.org>
>> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 2:03 PM
>> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] Diversity training session at ACB convention
>>
>>
>> Again, I agree with all points, Andy.
>> For the life of me, I cannot fathom why ACBHSP continues to be so
> small.
>> And I don't have any real suggestions, other than what I've suggested
>> time
>> and time again, as to how to grow the affiliate.  However, it just
>> astounds
>> me that with all the human service people out there, and human
> services
>> is
>> so very broad, the affiliate continues to be so small.
>>
>> Jessie Rayl
>> thedogmom63 at frontier.com
>> www.facebook.com/Eaglewings10
>> www.pathtogrowth.org
>>
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