By James M. Campbell, IADC President
IADC Docket October 2009
The latest issues of the IADC Docket is here. This edition only will be offered electronically, so you can read it now by clicking here. This issue of the Docket includes updates on meetings, The Foundation of the IADC news, your new Committee chairs, dates for the 2010 meetings, and more.
Also included in the Docket is the President's Message, which you also can read below:
The President's Message...
A Plan of Action, Innovation and Involvement
By James M. Campbell, IADC President
The IADC Board of Directors is a hard working group. In my more than four years of service, I have frequently marveled at the deep commitment that every Board member has to the IADC. In addition to monthly telephone conferences, the Board meets at the Midyear Meeting, the Annual Meeting and in April and September at the IADC offices. The April Board meeting (which takes place at the conclusion of the Corporate Counsel College) is particularly important for the President-Elect, who is asked to lead a portion of the meeting regarding future planning and plans for the coming year.
Last year, the IADC experienced substantial change in its staff personnel, staff organization, and administrative policies. We named Mary Beth Kurzak as the Executive Director, and we moved the IADC office. In many ways, the administrative aspects of the IADC were completely rebuilt, and we had the opportunity for a fresh start. At the April 2009 Board meeting, my goal was to ask the Board to consider and question other aspects of the IADC and to examine them critically. I divided the Board into three groups and asked them to consider the following issues:
1. Revenue Sources;
2. Meetings and Seminars; and
3. Publications, Newsletters, Web Site and Social Media.
Following the three break out sessions, the Board met as a group and discussed each of the issues at length and in detail. Much of the focus of the Board's work in the coming year will be based on the concepts and ideas that were expressed and developed at the April Board meeting.
As for revenue sources, the Board is in full agreement that the dues should be structured to pay for the fixed costs and overhead of the IADC and that those expenses should not be subsidized by funds generated by the revenue derived from meetings. To that end, the Executive Committee, the IADC staff, and the Board conducted an extensive review of the budget and dramatically reduced our overhead and fixed costs. Following that effort, we determined that a dues increase of $50 per member was required to achieve the goal.
With regard to the cost of meetings, the Board is unanimous in the decision to set the registration fees for our meetings such that each meeting pays for itself and breaks even. We hope to avoid situations where any particular meeting generates either a substantial profit or loss. If a meeting generates a large profit, the members who supported and attended that meeting have, in a very real sense, subsidized the entire organization. On the other hand, if a meeting generates a large loss, the entire membership is asked to subsidize the activities of an under attended meeting. Having identified the goal of setting the price of a meeting, I can say that identifying the correct price point for any meeting involves both science and art, and in the end, represents the best judgment of the staff and the Board as to what price is correct for the anticipated number of meeting attendees and costs of the meeting. I can assure you that we will do our very best to keep the cost of meetings as reasonable as possible and to deliver the quality meetings that the members of the IADC deserve and expect.
Finally, as to revenues, the Board is again unanimous in the need to maintain our strategic reserves and to have available funds that enable us to engage in "research and development'' of new programs and initiatives. As for the strategic reserves and our investment accounts, with the help of new accounting personnel and under the leadership of our Treasurer Michael Connelly, we now have several metrics by which to evaluate our financial status including our reserves, our cash flow, and our investments. As for the concept of an ''R&D'' program, the IADRA program is new, and we are invested in its long term success. We are also investing in membership and diversity initiatives as well as new materials to promote the IADC and its programs including the Trial Academy and the Corporate Counsel College.
The result of all this effort is a budget that is fiscally responsible and creates a scenario for the best return on investment for both member dues and meeting registrations.
In assessing the three items above, the Board was able to prioritize its efforts for the year. With these priorities in mind, I have asked each Board member to lead a particular area or issue for the coming year. The assignments are as follows:
1. Jeff Campbell continues as the Board liaison for the Membership and Diversity Committees. With Jeff's leadership, both Committees are working to identify and recruit new members who are deserving of IADC membership.
2. Bill Perry is responsible for compiling and revising the Board Practices manual.
3. Fritz Zimmer is responsible for the Resource Development Committee. Fritz is charged with managing our relationships with existing sponsors and for identifying potential new ones.
4. John Penhallegon is in charge of the Regional Meeting program and for implementing new strategies for those meetings to best serve the local members and to recruit potential members at the meetings.
5. Quentin Urquhart is the Board liaison to the Trial Academy Task Force and is responsible for developing and implementing the strategies that will ensure our Trial Academy remains the best available.
6. Becky Wilson continues to be the Board liaison to the CLE Committee and the CLE Task Force charged with developing the policies and procedures to make certain that the CLE that we offer at all meetings is of the highest quality.
7. Molly Craig is the Board liaison regarding the continued improvement and utilization of the recently updated Web site. Molly is working with the staff and the Committee Vice Chairs to make certain that the Web site is put to its fullest and best use.
8. George Murphy is charged with managing our social media efforts on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. We have established a presence on each of those sites, and George and his committee are working to advance our efforts to allow our members to communicate and network through them.
9. Lela Hollabaugh is in charge of our program to conduct Webinars on various cutting edge issues. Lela and staff have developed a protocol for producing a Webinar, and she is working with the staff and the Committee Vice Chairs conducting the Webinars which will be offered free of charge as a member benefit.
10. Mike Connelly is the Board liaison to a newly formed Corporate Counsel College Task Force that is charged with promoting and preserving the Corporate Counsel College.
11. Tim Gephart is the Board liaison to the Insurance Executives Committee.
12. Alex Giorgetti is the Board liaison to the International Corporate Counsel College and the International Committee. With Alex's leadership we will continue our efforts to expand our international membership and profile.
13. Ed Pickle is the Board liaison to the Amicus Curiae Committee and is committed to the IADC's efforts to file amicus briefs in appropriate cases.
14. The Executive Committee, comprised of Rob Hunter, Joe Ryan and me, meet by telephone every two weeks. We work closely with Mary Beth Kurzak and her staff to do our very best to maintain and improve every aspect of the IADC.
Last year, in very difficult economic times, the IADC experienced larger than usual attrition in our membership. We studied that issue from virtually every angle, and we determined that the vast majority of those members who left the Association had never been to a meeting and had never otherwise engaged in our activities. In this year, the Board is intent on finding as many ways as possible to involve our members in the activities of the IADC. We have looked at ways to improve our traditional activities and we have initiated many new activities with the express intent of involving each and every member who would like to participate in the work of the IADC. I encourage every member to contact me or any member of our Board to volunteer to assist. I can assure that if you ask, you will not be disappointed.
Sue and I look forward to seeing you at the Naples and Barcelona meetings or at one of the many other gatherings we have planned in the coming year.