Signs of the Times - October 2012 - (Page 88)

The TSA Email Continued from p.86 Board of Directors ultimately controls who is elected to the board and all other committees. Slate of director nominees must first be approved by the board of directors before being sent to the members for vote. (Article VII, Section 2). Members of the Leadership Committee and the Nominating Committees are appointed by the Chairman of the Board. (Articles X, Section 2 and 3) Members of the Steering Committees are appointed by the board of directors. (Article VIII, Section I) Requirements for a quorum reduced Reduction in the number of membership votes from 1/120 to 1/50 to constitute a quorum. In other words, this is reducing the number of membership votes from 120 to 50 to create a quorum. (There are approximately 1500 members) (Article IV Section 7) Membership Structure - Article IV Section 1 Under the proposed membership structure, sign associations will no longer be members of ISA, but individual companies may become members. ISA member companies will be split into four separate councils, each with differing rights and obligations: 1. Affiliated Associations Sign Company Member Council; 2. Direct Sign Company Member Council; 3. Supplier/Distributors Council; and 4. Associate Members Council The proposed reorganization of ISA will drastically change the relationship between ISA and the state or regional associations. The change in that relationship will also affect the individual company members of each association. For example, among other obligations, your state or regional association will be required to: • Support ISA official positions as approved by the ISA board of directors; • Not take positions contradictory to the official positions of ISA as approved by the ISA Board Members; and • Provide ISA company member data necessary to fulfill joint membership (the extent of such data is not clear in the proposed ISA Bylaws). Additionally, ISA will unilaterally define the association geographical area for which it represents. (Proposed ISA Affiliate Agreement.) It bears noting that the existing “ISA Regional Plan” will no longer exist. ISA will no longer be assisting the state and regional associations by a financial commitment via “Regional Funding”, leaving several associations without the proper funding to continue business as usual. For example, without regionalization, TSA will lose the annual $20,000 it typically receives. The proposed ISA Bylaws as written are vague and unclear in many respects. Furthermore, additional explanation of the intent and goals of ISA in light of the proposed ISA Bylaws is needed. It is highly recommended that you vote “NO” to the adoption of the ISA proposed bylaws in their current form. Carefully review the proposed ISA Bylaws to determine and evaluate the implications they hold on your membership rights. Not only are your membership rights at risk, the proposed ISA Bylaws are dangerously vague and incomplete. Duane Laska’s E-mail Continued from p.87 affiliates not take a position contradictory to official ISA positions. Affiliates are NOT being asked to endorse every ISA position or action, or be limited in any way to creating their OWN positions. If an Affiliate takes issue with a position, it will be thoroughly vetted in an effort to find wording acceptable to all. This open dialogue improves upon our prior process, in which position statements only came from our board and committees. Consensus believes the industry would be better served by presenting a united front to regulators and public-policy makers. With all affiliates participating, we believe we’ll develop stronger and more successful approaches to dealing with problematic sign codes and other regulations. Defining geographic area ISA set the regional boundaries more than 30 years ago. In this new approach, we want the local associations to decide their geographic areas. ISA will NOT define these. 88 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / OCTOBER 2012 / www.signweb.com ISA has held numerous, highly productive, open forums – full of live conversation – leading up to this reorganization effort. In a world of instant texts and e-mails, conversation still is the best way to address concerns. The ISA Board asked the Bylaws Committee to address some of the legitimate concerns raised by the membership and provide a recommendation. The Board strongly desires a very collaborative process. Everything isn’t perfect. While I believe this reorganization is the right approach, we will likely find ways to improve upon it. We should always keep an eye toward constantly improving and adapting so that we will remain a vibrant association years into the future. Keep an open mind and review the bylaws when they are sent to you. Understand this is an evolving process that likely will be enhanced and improved continuously. Should you have a question about the reorganization, I sincerely request that you call me or another member of the ISA leadership. 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

Signs of the Times - October 2012