|
First Word
Commitment to membership value is #1 priority
Commentary by AEM President Dennis Slater
Commentary by AEM President Dennis Slater
 On November 2, Americans will select their leader – the President of the United States. The election countdown includes a blitz of television ads stating the candidates’ positions on issues, including those tied to the economy.
“Big business” is sometimes blamed for societal ills, and in a presidential election year, campaign rhetoric intensifies this negative image. Complex issues which the equipment manufacturing industry must address, such as outsourcing, are reduced to 60-second television sound bites.
Public Policy a Key Priority
“Stating the industry’s case” is a key priority issue in 2004, as we expand our public policy initiatives both domestically and internationally.
I want to briefly discuss the themes underlying AEM’s “priority issues,” which cover the association’s major action areas, including public policy, CE and ag services, the Supplier Council, trade shows, education, international marketing, statistics and technical/safety.
Corporate governance is receiving increased scrutiny in recent months, so I’ll also outline AEM’s proposed volunteer leadership criteria and review development of the association’s new member dues structure.
Improving Membership ROI
In previous First Word columns, I’ve described the successful evolution of AEM into a strong, unified association. We are committed to providing all member segments with core services and new activities to promote market development.
Your association’s staff and volunteer leadership believe there’s always room for improvement. In 2004 we are focusing on improving the quality of AEM’s programs to provide companies with even more value for their membership investment.
A major component of this enhanced quality is increasing member participation in AEM activities. All members will benefit from the synergies of such expanded participation, such as a stronger industry “voice,” a broader base for meaningful benchmarking/trends data and informational networking, and more complete data for statistical reports.
Our efforts to expand participation cover the full scope of membership - construction and agriculture-related, full and associate members, and U.S. and Canadian interests.
Leadership Responsibilities
The association’s success depends on a significant level of commitment from its volunteer leadership. In recognition of AEM’s growth, your Board is developing a formal set of “leadership criteria.”
Areas covered include activity levels in association programs before Board appointment, director activity in preparation for Board leadership positions, and a list of responsibilities for volunteer leadership positions to assist members in knowing the levels of commitment these involve.
Our leadership criteria will provide the standards needed to assist in selection of candidates prepared to serve the association and its members. The criteria are based on AEM’s bylaws and practices currently used by the Board-level Nominating Committee to make recommendations.
Equitable Dues Structure
I’d like to conclude by briefly discussing AEM’s membership dues structure. The association is currently operating under a three-year dues freeze instituted with the association’s consolidation in 2002.
Your Board is developing a new dues structure to take effect with membership renewals for 2005. The goal is a dues structure that is equitable for both large and smaller companies. No member would pay significantly more, and many would pay less, than they do now. A related goal is elimination of additional service fees, thus encouraging more participation in AEM programs such as statistics. We will keep all members updated as the dues structure is finalized.
Please feel free to contact me or any senior staff member with questions you may have about AEM’s priority issues, leadership criteria or dues structure, or other association issues you want to discuss. Thank you!
CIFES Agreement Signed: AEM To Help Manage Leading Canadian Ag Trade Show >>
The Place To Be in November: AEM Annual Conference >>
Annual Conference: Conference Snapshot: Industry, Business, Government Perspectives >>
Plan Now for ICUEE 2005: "The Demo Expo" >>
AEM Canada Launched >>
Ag Show Strategy: Active Role for AEM, Members >>
<< Back to the Index
|
