Signs of the Times - October 2012 - (Page 87)

ISA Chairman of the Board Duane Laska’s E-mail Mbeen a member of Shore Signs, Libertyville, IL) y company (North has NESA/ISA for 59 consecutive years. In addition, we are members of WSA, USSC, the Illinois Sign Assn. and two local Chambers of Commerce. I don’t have a passion for spending money on dues, but I feel my company derives great value from these organizations, and they need and deserve our support. For three years, the ISA Board and some 50 other association leaders nationwide have discussed how our associations can be better organized and aligned to serve the industry in this ever-changing world. As an industry, we’re tiny compared to the auto or energy industry, yet we have as great, if not a greater, need for the power of collectively addressing issues important to our industry. We all wanted to maximize the effectiveness of our limited financial resources. We needed to address which services are best delivered on a local, regional, or national level. The world is vastly different than when the current ISA structure was put in place (1980), and I firmly believe the path forward is necessary for the industry to remain viable. As a former mayor of Libertyville, IL, I have seen, in both elected politics and as the volunteer leader of an association, misunderstandings turn into misinformation that makes its way to the membership. With regard to ISA’s proposed reorganization, you may have either seen or heard about concerns about ISA’s draft bylaw changes. I want to correct the record and address the points here. Executive Committee authority Some worry the reorganization will allow the fourperson Executive Committee (EC) to take significant actions without membership input. Virtually all associations allow their EC to make decisions when the board is not in session. This isn’t new at ISA; it may be in your association’s bylaws. This safeguard provision allows quick decision-making, such as in emergencies. Also, the ISA EC can’t change ISA bylaws with three votes. ISA is incorporated in Virginia, and Virginia law doesn’t allow this. I’ve never seen an EC act alone on important issues without Board input, nor do I believe it will happen in the future. Regional funding The notion that ISA will no longer provide financial assistance to local sign associations is completely inaccurate. Throughout this process, the ISA board has specifically stated that a level of financial support will continue because ISA believes that local associations are crucial to the industry. The issue of regional financial support never has been, nor currently is, a “bylaws” issue. Board representation The board was reduced from 28 to 15 for many reasons, including, and most notably, a desire to have a more engaged and nimble board. The cost outweighed the level of board-member engagement. The goal and intent was, and always will be, to have a diverse board of dedicated, energized, sign-industry representatives nationwide from all types of companies. Could the board composition disintegrate into a “good old boys club”, or become subservient to ISA staff? The reorganization plan outlines a great process to ideally populate the board with rising stars in our industry. Admittedly, only time will tell if it works – if not, the process can be amended. The board will be representative of the industry. Period. Bylaws amendments The draft bylaws did allow for a change of the bylaws with a 2/3 vote of the ISA Board. We heard the concern, and this is being reviewed. Committee make-up The ISA chairman traditionally had the authority to appoint individuals to committees. Your organizations may be similar. Again, this isn’t new. Volunteers are, and will continue to be, the foundation of our organization. Individuals wishing to serve likely can find a suitable committee. As a Chairman, I work to populate the committees with capable, engaged people, and I don’t expect that to change. In addition, new Steering Committees and a Leadership Development Committee, made up of members like you, will be recommending candidates for serving on the ISA Board. Quorum The draft bylaws do lessen the quorum requirement for membership-wide votes. This doesn’t diminish members’ authority. All members can still vote and participate. At times, we’ve had difficulty obtaining the minimum number of membership votes. This provision simply eases that problem, and uses the input from involved members. Industry positions ISA has advocated that the INDUSTRY needs to present a united front to regulators. ISA does NOT desire to be the exclusive industry representative. Rather, it hopes all affiliated associations would help create ISA’s Official Positions, thereby truly making them industry positions. The bylaws don’t address this topic, but a joint-membership agreement with affiliated associations does ask that continued on p.88 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / OCTOBER 2012 / www.signweb.com 87 http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - October 2012

Sign of theTimes - October 2012
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review
Technology Review
Sign Museum News
New Products
2012 Vehicle Graphics Contest
Entry-level Electronic Digital Signage
The Proposed ISA Reorganization Plan
Enter ST's 2013 Intl. Sign Contest
SGIA Expo 2012
The Value of Signs
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

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