Re: 2014 AIS Convention

[cemahan@aol.com]

I commend Andi for his thoughtful analysis. He has set forth the issues
squarely and fairly,  Thank you, Andi!







-----Original Message-----
From: andi rivarola <andinsky@gmail.com>
To: aisdiscuss <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
Sent: Tue, Jan 31, 2012 9:55 pm
Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] 2014 AIS Convention


I wanted to let you know that I am a Convention Planner. I've been doing
his job for a non-profit for the last 13 years.
The scope of what I do is much larger and different than AIS's: 4,000 -
,000 attendance; 1000 volunteers; close to a million-dollar budget; and a
orldwide registration; location always the same. By the way, as the budget
dministrator my job is to secure a surplus at the end of every event,
lthough the goal is not money. We hold simultaneous translations into
erman, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese as needed every so many years.
When this topic came up here in the AIS Board I decided to observe the
iscussion before I shared my thoughts.
Obviously, there are pros and cons to everything, but at the moment it
eems that financial considerations are the most important issues related
o the AIS Convention. At this time it doesn't seem feasible to go from an
ll-volunteer convention  to one incorporating at least one paid position.
There's no doubt that there are deep feelings associated with this
iscussion, but to me the solution lies within the limits of any goal
etting exercise. To know what needs to be done we first must find out what
e want.
Here are some questions that come to mind:
1- What are the AIS goals for next 10-20-30 years?
- What is the vision for becoming point #1
- Most of us won't be here in 20-30 years, how do we see AIS evolving?
- What are financial, PR, Marketing, Outreach goals in order to achieve
oint # 1?
- Volunteers are a very important part of any non-profit organization, and
f numbers are dwindling, and if it seems that it will continue to be so
hat will the organization do?
- Re: Conventions: what would be best for AIS, local clubs and regions?.
- Be open to new ideas that meet your needs to achieve #1
- Example: one large National Convention every two or three years, and a
AIS-sponsored" local or regional convention every year. Explore all
ossibilities.
- What type of financial support would AIS receive in order to survive and
chieve point #1, and how will that happen?
0- Why does AIS hold an annual Convention? What is the main purpose or
oal?
1- Would a paid convention planner achieve the main convention goal, and
ould it be more successful?
It is important for the Board to know where the organization is heading in
rder to implement changes.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Andi Rivarola
IS Social Media Manager
IS Board Member
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