December 2012
PRESIDENT’S LETTER by Alison Wallis, CP, PRP
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” —Francis Bacon Table of Contents Table of Contents
1
President’s Letter
1
Coming Events
2
Shine Your Light
2
AIP Officers
2
Professionals Advertise
3
West Coast Practicum
3
East Coast Practicum
3
Teacher Certification
3
CP&CPP-T Recertification
3
Editor’s Insert
4
New Members
4
Contributors
4
Homeowner associations
5
Accrediting Evolves
6
Correspondence Courses
6
AIP Member Survey
7
New Book of Note
8
Members of the American Institute of Parliamentarians receive satisfaction from a life-long study of parliamentary procedure. Many are active members at the chapter or national level, many work as professional parliamentarians, and all enjoy the fellowship of other parliamentarians. AIP’s wide variety of offerings, from chapter workshops, the accreditation process for Certified and Certified Professional Parliamentarians, national events such as the practicums and annual session, are of the highest quality. AIP members are generous, intelligent, and knowledgeable. AIP brings value to its members and we know its worth. But do we sometimes keep the value of AIP to ourselves? It’s time to share what parliamentary procedure means, to tell and tell again what AIP has to offer, and to explain the many benefits parliamentary procedure brings. Public perception and membership go hand in hand. Too many people—intelligent, educated, civic-minded people—have no idea what a parliamentarian is. Sadly, it’s common that these same people often know only myths but not the true fundamentals of parliamentary procedure. You are the one who can inform them. Don’t be too sure your family, neighbors, coworkers, or clients really understand what a parliamentarian is —tell them. Don’t be sure your contacts know you are a member of AIP—tell them. If your fellow parliamentarians know you WERE active in AIP, do they know you are still, or could be, active today? Don’t wait to be asked; don’t wait for a perfect opportunity. A few specific examples—all easy, all free —to make more opportunities than you find: • Post pictures of parliamentary events on social media such as Facebook • Pin flyers to public workshops in public places, both tried and new December 2012
• Distribute AIP information flyers at your own club meetings • Explain what a parliamentarian is when meeting new people • List your workshops and meetings on viewable sites such as Event Brite • Show affiliation by adding a link to AIP on your website • Show support by “liking” us on Facebook • Review of the AIP Standard Code on sites such as itunes or amazon.com • Invite connections, personally, to attend AIP national or chapter events • Mention AIP membership or events on social media sites such as linkedin • Take and lend the parliamentary authority to your meetings Perhaps you are thinking, “I do these things.” Do you? Really? Would it be fair to say you have done some of these or similar ideas in the past, and “mean to” do them in the future. Do you do these or similar promotional activities every time possible? Could you add a few simple actions to share your enthusiasm for AIP? Let’s don’t keep our parliamentary activities wrapped under a cloak of invisibility. Let’s make visibility a goal. Can potential members or clients find you or your chapter? Remember, they can’t join if they don’t know we exist. If they know we exist, make sure they know we would value their membership. If you said it before, say it again. Make your own opportunities and start telling what AIP does now and what it can offer. Tell the story by word of mouth, by traditional means, and by modern means. Throw off the cloak of invisibility and reveal this great parliamentary organization, AIP, to the world. AIP Communicator