The Power of One – CIMA-EMI Consolidation Process on Track

Progress continues on the joining of CIMA and EMI into one industry association.

Here's an outline of the goals of the new organization, the key points in the joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), implementation details and timetables for the membership vote.

After an overwhelmingly positive vote by the CIMA Board of Directors and EMI Board of Directors, the two associations are developing an implementation plan for the consolidated organization and finalizing details for a membership vote.

United Industry Voice

The new combined association, once approved by the membership, will provide the members of both groups with a more powerful united voice on industry issues, cost and time efficiencies and access to enhanced services.

The CIMA Board of Directors this spring overwhelmingly approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which is the core document outlining the structure and working of the combined association.

The MOU, which was developed by a joint steering committee of CIMA and EMI officers, was presented and thoroughly discussed at the last meeting of the CIMA Board of Directors on March 22.

Overwhelming Board Support

To ensure that all Directors had the opportunity to express their opinion, the Association not only had all Directors present cast a vote, but also sent ballots for completion to Directors who had been unable to attend.

The CIMA Board vote was 29 to approve the MOU, 0 votes against, and two abstentions.

Implementation Plan and Member Vote

The next steps in the process are already underway:

• completion of "due diligence" by CIMA and EMI,
• development and approval of an implementation plan for consolidation,
• a vote notice to be sent to Full Members of CIMA and EMI (with detailed information on the MOU and implementation plus a ballot for completion).

Staffs of both CIMA and EMI are reviewing services of the two associations to determine the best way to bring together overlapping services and offer the combined services of both associations to all members of the new organization.

The vote notice and explanations are scheduled for early August with the vote anticipated to take place at the end of August.

Special Website

A special website, www.votetoconsolidate.com, is being set up to provide full details to the membership on the consolidation and how it will affect company and individual participation.

Members will also be able to cast their votes on the consolidation online.

Background

In recent years, CIMA and EMI have worked cooperatively on industrywide issues, during which the idea of one industry association arose, leading to the idea of a possible consolidation.

At their summer 2000 meetings, the Boards of both groups passed resolutions to form a task force made up of officers of both EMI and CIMA to investigate the benefits of one association.

The Steering Committee determined that the combined CIMA and EMI associations could provide a higher level of services, cost efficiencies and a stronger voice for our industries.

In April of this year, the CIMA and EMI Boards of Directors each overwhelmingly approved the MOU to consolidate the two groups into one association. CIMA and EMI are continuing work on an implementation plan and other details related to the consolidation process.

It is anticipated that the consolidation proposal will go to the memberships of the two associations for a vote sometime this summer. If approved, the new consolidated association will legally begin operation on January 1, 2002.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - Outline of Topic Areas & Key Points >>

Summer 2001