Natl assn denies membership to critic

How does this current situation apply to your assn?

A national professional society last week returned membership documents and payments from an industry publisher and staffer, refusing the applications. The assn's staff and attorney would not comment on the matter, other than to confirm refusal of membership. Staff and board members had previously been ordered not to comment or respond to inquiries from the media bulldog.

The publisher's longtime coverage of the assn's community has been adversarial and uncomplimentary, increasingly so over the past few years. Using information gathered from assn members and personal contacts, the publication strongly criticizes the assn's policies and actions, frequently exposing information not otherwise available to members or the public. The assn has claimed the information is unfounded and incorrect, while the publisher doggedly insists the assn is hiding or omitting facts.

Relationships between the publisher and the assn's staff broke down considerably when the the publisher and several others filed a lawsuit seven years ago for unauthorized copying and resale of copyrighted materials. That suit was dropped when the assn closed its in-house service that provided "educational materials" and ceased copying documents for resale. No apologies or payments to the authors were made by the assn.

Assn law generally does not require assns to accept membership from any individual or company. According to the Assn Law Handbook, 4th ed., by Jerald A. Jacobs, "Membership... is ordinarily a privilege that may be granted or denied if done so on reasonable grounds; [it] may sometimes become a right when denial if it would result in a serious economic disadvantage to outsiders."

Also, "Any policy to arbitrarily or unnecessarily limit assn membership seems ill advised..." when it could be deemed as a violation of antitrust laws. While the publisher railed extensively about the impropriety of the denial of membership, there was no indication or claim of an antitrust violation. The assn appeared to be avoiding the acceptance into membership of an individual known to be an adversary and a troublemaker for the organization, who they previously claimed required undue amounts of information and support.

More at www.AssociationTRENDS.com.

Red Cross National Capital Area lets go one-quarter of staff

American Red Cross National Capital Area chapter will lay off 25% of its staff in order to meet a $2-million budget shortfall. The layoffs are due in part to the slower economy and fewer donations, a spokesman for the assn said.

COO Lee Stebbins said that the layoffs are top-to bottom, including nine managerial positions and 24 specialists. Four positions kept vacant due to a hiring freeze will not be filled. The board approved the layoffs on April 24, and the workers have been offered separation packages.

The group, which provides relief to residents of the Washington area after disasters such as house fires, said residents will not see a reduction in services. The chapter said it will also rely more on volunteer labor.

Sarfati to leave ASAE & the Center Aug. 31

"Going forward, my work and career will continue to focus on leadership development, social responsibility, women’s issues and contributions to the assn and meetings industry, which are all my passions... I am proud of my many contributions, including being the founding CEO of The Center, leading the 13 seasons of the Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speakers Series, building a high performance team, and most recently, launching the Global Summit on Social Responsibility and the assn social responsibility movement... What I value most are the relationships I have built with volunteer leaders, members, and the incredibly talented staff whom I have had the honor of working with over the years.”

- Susan Sarfati, CEO of the Center for Assn Leadership, Washington

More coverage at www.AssociationTRENDS.com.

Cranmer out as BICSI executive director

Edward J. Donelan, RCDD/NTS Specialist and BICSI President said:

"It is with regret that I must inform you that our Executive Director, Mr. David Cranmer has tendered his resignation citing personal reasons. The officers of BICSI have accepted his willful resignation, effective immediately... Change is inevitable and so with this announcement, I have appointed Mrs. Betty Eckebrecht, our current CFO, as acting Executive Director."

Cranmer began is official tenure at BICSI in January 2007, having been a member, board member and noted specialist in the field. He took over as the acting exec after the previous short-time exec was "sent home" 5/06 while still under contract. Potential candidates for this position should look long and hard before accepting this volatile spot. Know what you are getting into before you commit.

More association news at www.AssociationTRENDS.com.