Forms Talk

Message From the President

By: Ray Killam
President

 

Now THAT was exciting! Just seeing our new web-based newsletter come to life was a big deal in itself, but all the activity that has transpired since is enough to really get me going in the mornings.

Allow me to recap:

Chapter meetings are being scheduled at an increasing rate. Los Angeles has held their second meeting (online), Ottawa has one scheduled, Portland has held a meeting, Region 1, Region 2, Region 4, Region 5 and Western Canada (part of Region 6) have meetings scheduled. I have probably missed a few. It's really great to see so many people participating again. Kudos to the Membership Council, with Al Howick, Alice Ladd and DJ Brown!

The Program Council, led by Bill Hill, Robin Miller and Margaret Tassin, has announced the Canadian Forms Institute for March 3-4, 2008 in Ottawa, ON. Margaret Tassin and I plan to be there and we are really looking forward to seeing all our friends again. It will be a great program and important networking opportunities.

We are taking a close look at the many, many pages of information available on the BFMA website and working to get it updated. There really is a lot of stuff there, so be patient with us as we get it done.

The BFMA leadership team is very active and is addressing priorities on multiple fronts. Our focus this year is to increase the opportunities for all members to participate in multiple events that provide education and networking benefits. We want your membership to be valuable to you and to your employer. The forms management industry is large, diverse and growing. It is a constant challenge just to keep up. BFMA can be a valuable resource to you and we are focused on making sure that it is!

Speaking of our team, we have several people that have accepted the challenge and joined the team. They include Teri Watanabe, Sharon Freeman, Anna Romero, and Kelly Halseth, Region Coordinators for Regions 1, 3, 4, and Western Canada (part of Region 6), respectively. We still need a few good people for Region 2, 5, and Eastern Canada (the remaining part of region 6). Let me know if you want to get involved with us as we move BFMA forward!

We also have a Region Coordinator for contact and information purposes in Region 8 (Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East). Caroline Jarrett has agreed to serve in this capacity, although we don't currently have LiveMeeting capability in that Region.

We need a Coordinator in Region 7 (Australia, New Zealand and Asia) to serve in the same capacity. Any volunteers?

There are plenty of other opportunities to get involved. Interested in forms and form systems education? Contact Bill Hill. We need program coordinators for the various events we hold. Don't hold back - get involved!

As I write this, the holiday season in the US is upon us. Let me wish all our members worldwide a very happy season. I really look forward to meeting all of you at Symposium 2008 in Las Vegas, our 50th Anniversary celebration!

Top Five

By: Justiss Boyer
Marketing Council, BFMA

Have you ever seen High Fidelity? Or maybe you've read the Nick Hornby book. The main character, Rob, can give you a bibliographical account of his life in the form of Top 5 lists. We’ve sort of done the same thing, except with BFMA and Forms in mind. It wasn’t easy, but we think we did a fine job picking the top 5 finalists who best epitomize or express the BFMA newsletter. It has been great to see your response to the BFMA sponsored contest, Help us Name the Newsletter! SO many choices and all were excellent! It was really hard deciding which five would make it to the finals, but we did it and we are so excited even we can hardly wait for the winner!

The Top 5 finalists are (in no particular order)!

1. In Good Form

2. All About Forms

3. Forms Talk

4. BFMA Live!

5. TransFORMer

Thanks again so much for helping us out! The winner will be revealed in the January edition of the newsletter!

Tis the Season for Giving and Sharing…

By: LeaAnne Fuchs Chairperson, Education Foundation

I wonder how many people know that there is a BFMA Education Foundation. Well, there is, and it’s been around for more than 10 years. I also wonder if people know that since the BFMA Education Foundation began, scholarships have been awarded to folks who were unable to get funding from their employers to attend educational events such as symposium?

Today, the Foundation continues to support educational opportunities to help foster the needs of form systems professionals.

A little bit about the Foundation…
The BFMA Education Foundation is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to promote and enhance professional competency and growth among form systems professionals. The Foundation is a legally separate organization from the BFMA Association. The Foundation was established to raise funds for a permanent endowment, from which income will be used to promote forms systems education. Now, where else can you go to get this type of assistance, other than a student loan?

Programs the Foundation will consider for funding…
Educational programs, seminars and independent study courses may be funded, as well as the development of materials addressing many aspects of forms and their usage, including: Forms Analysis, Forms Design, Forms Management, Electronic Forms, Systems Analysis, and CFSP Certification. In fact, the foundation played a key role in helping bring BFMA's Master Series to life, to bring online forms training to everyone regardless of geographic location.

How the Foundation is governed…
The Foundation is administered by a Board of Trustees who is appointed to serve staggered three-year terms. The Foundation Board of Trustees exercises fiduciary authority of the endowment, determines and approves investment policy, authorizes expenditures, selects the investment advisor(s) and auditor(s), and evaluates all requests for funds. The Trustees also manage the Foundation’s fund raising efforts.

How the Foundation is funded…
Foundation administration and programs are funded entirely from the income of proceeds derived from contributions. Contributions come from individuals, organizations, sponsors, and companies. So, when you are writing checks to your favorite charitable organizations, please consider adding the BFMA Education Foundation to your list.

Where you can send your contribution or gift…
Your (much appreciated) gift can be sent to the BFMA Education Foundation, 319 S.W. Washington Street, Suite 710, Portland, OR 97204-2604. Contributions to such an organization may be tax deductible, so be sure to check with your favorite tax advisor.

This year Give the Gift of Educational Opportunity that Keeps on Giving during this special season of giving and sharing.

Act now and save $100

By: Robin Miller

Director of Program Operations

 

 

Act now, offer ends 12/31/07 to save $100 on Symposium tuition

Register for the 2008 Symposium now and save $100 off the full registration price and guarantee your seat with first choice of educational sessions. That’s $1,089 for BFMA members. You can also save an additional $100 each when two or more people from the same company register.  Register by 12/31/07 to take advantage of this offer.

 

It’s a Celebration and You’re invited…

To:          BFMA’s Symposium and 50^th Anniversary Celebration

When:     May 4-8, 2008

Where:    Imperial Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

 

We want you to join us in celebrating BFMA’s 50^th Anniversary at the 2008 Symposium. 

 

Outstanding educational opportunities are available for you to attend.  Enhance your skills, visit with company representatives of forms products, see leading edge technology, and discuss and resolve solutions to your everyday forms issues.

 

Bring your significant other, business associates, and your managers to share in the wealth of knowledge to be gained, and join us in this Celebration of Education and help BFMA celebrate it’s 50^th anniversary.

 

Member or Dismember

By: Al Hollwick
VP, Chapter & Member Relations

BFMA - Business Forms Management Association - is, above all else, a network of people who either create forms / templates to capture data or are involved in related activity. For example, with paper forms there is printing and distribution.  With electronic forms there is version control and deployment challenges. Believe it or not, there are a lot of other people out here who ask the same questions you have about design and technology.

All groups from business associations to volunteer groups have a tough time staying in contact with people.  Job titles and responsibilities have changed so much that it is a lot harder to build communication networks. 

How about you!  Have you stopped joining networks (dismembered) thinking that you do not have time or that nothing is available?  Well, here is your invitation.  BFMA offers a wide range of educational events and resources not found anywhere else.  Plus, this group of people is a unique cross-section of professional areas.  We have form designers, operational managers, technology specialists - more than 100 different job titles. 

Things you can do to stay more involved!

• BFMA offers members a chance to participate on-line or in local chapter structures. 
• We are developing virtual industry groups that can keep in touch worldwide. 
• Check out the www.BFMA.org web site to find out more about us. 
• See the calendar of events for training opportunities in your area. 
• Contact any of the Board members or the international headquarters in Portland, OR. 
• Let us know what questions you have and what challenges you face.

Questions can also be posted on BFMA's FormSpace where a whole world of experts are there to give feedback.

Chapter Calendar of Events

NW Chapter Events Calendar - December/January

All of the following meetings are located in Bellevue, WA at 5:30pm.

Meeting Date December 13, 2007 January 10, 2008

Topic Holiday Party w/White Elephant Gift Exchange    IBM

Speaker Bring your spouse! Tom Simmons

Tami Bevan, CFSP, CFC 
BFMA NW Washington Chapter President 
Document Administration, Premera Blue Cross
Tel: 425-918-6038   Email: tami.bevan@premera.com
BFMA International www.bfma.org

Madison Chapter Events Calendar - December Program

December Program

2007 Joint ARMA and BFMA Meeting and Charity Event

ARMA and BFMA will hold a joint meeting to continue many years of sharing and learning together at our annual holiday meeting on Tuesday December 11, 2007. Our two organizations will share breakfast and our Chapter Presidents will bring greetings.

We invite you to join us during the holiday session to participate in this opportunity to network, win prizes, donate to charity, and hear an excellent presentation titled:  Financial and Consumer Fraud Prevention - Protect Yourself.

The session will be presented jointly by three Wisconsin organizations.  Jeanne Benink from the AARP Wisconsin, Patricia D. Struck, from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Susan Schilz from the Wisconsin Office of Privacy Protection (OPP), which operates under the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), will give the presentation.

 

AARP, DFI and OPP have teamed up to develop a brief in-service learning session to educate Wisconsinites about fraud prevention.  Their aim is to fight this epidemic at the ground level.  The presenters will discuss: Consumer Fraud, such as ID theft; Financial Fraud, such as investment scams; How to safeguard your good credit; and Where & how to report fraud.

Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Location: Inn on the Park Hotel

22 South Carroll Street

Madison, WI

 

Program:

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

         Registration

 

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

         Breakfast and Introductions 

 

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

         Charity Drawings and Announcements 

 

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

       Program

 

Cost:                      $18 Member (Breakfast & Program)

                                $20 Non-member (Breakfast & Program)

                                $10 Program Only

Menu:                    Breakfast Buffet, including eggs, breakfast meat, pastries, juice, and coffee.

Portland Chapter Meeting
December 6th, 2007
11:00 am PST
Presenter: Alice Ladd

Ottawa Chapter Meeting
December 10th, 2007
9:00 am EST
Presenter: Alice Ladd

Region 5 Meeting
December 11th, 2007
11:00 am EST
Presenter: Ray Killam

Region 4 Meeting
December 11th, 2007
1:00 pm EST
Presenter: Ray Killam

Region 1 Meeting
December 12th, 2007
9:00 am PST
Presenter: Alice Ladd

Region 6W (Western Canada) Meeting
December 12th, 2007
11:00 am PST
Presenter: Ray Killam

Region 3 Meeting
December 18th, 2007
12:00 9m EST
Presenter: Ray Killam

Region 2 Meeting
December 19th, 2007
12:00 pm CST
Presenter: Ray Killam

Would you like your Chapter event listed here, information regarding these events, or information about using the online meeting technology provided by BFMA? Contact Alice Ladd, DJ Brown, or Al Howick.

Thank you,

Membership Council

Forms Institute Coming to Ottawa

By: Bill Hill

VP, Programs

  

Program Council Update

Reserve March 3rd and 4th

After a successful Institute in Washington DC, the Program Council is finalizing details on the Canadian Forms Institute in Ottawa, Canada.   Yes, we are moving from capital to capital.

The Canadian Forms Institute will be conducted on the 11th floor in the Bell Business Building located on 333 Preston St. in downtown Ottawa.  This is a great facility with parking available. We are so excited to have our institute in Ottawa, home of the Canadian Federal Government.  Many thanks to Ginette Desormeaux, coordinator and Dan Breffitt, as facilitator, for their assistance in locating this venue.

This two-day event will contain 8 classes that are symposium quality classes.  As soon as the speakers are finalized, you will be able to see the whole schedule at www.bfma.org.

A Gold Education at our Golden Anniversary of BFMA

BFMA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary at the BFMA Symposium in Las Vegas.  This event will be held from May 4th through May 8th, 2008.   It will be something special to celebrate this milestone.  Classes have all been scheduled and look even more exciting than the St. Louis event, which reached the highest grades ever for classes presented. Also, if you’ve been a part of our past, please pencil this date in.  Be present for the celebration and see your friends and colleagues.

As a bonus, you can click on www.bfma.org and save $100 by registering now.  What a bargain, top quality education, located in a city designed for conferences and an anniversary celebration!

Special Request: Pictures wanted

To assist in the BFMA 50th anniversary, we are looking for pictures from the past.  We want pictures of classes, events and celebrations.  Yes, pictures about our history are the things we need.  Please send them to Andy Browne at: andy@browneweb.com.   What did President Ray Killam look like in his younger years?   What has father time done with Andy Palatka?  Your pictures can reveal these secrets.

Master Series on Electronic Signatures

By: Margaret Tassin
Program Council, Director of Education

 

Beginning on Thursday, January 31 and for the next two weeks, BFMA will present a comprehensive program on electronic signatures.  The first session is presented by Tommy Petrogiannis, President of Silanis Technology.

 

E-Signatures are the next evolution in electronic workflow, but you shouldn't implement them unless you understand the laws behind them.  In this first session you will gain an overview of the various pieces of legislation and case law that guide and protect this digital workflow evolution.  Learn also how this legislation boils down to a list of requirements for legally sustainable e-forms.  Understand the difference between electronic signatures and digital signatures.

 

The next two sessions are presented by Clay Kittrell, CEO of Voice Signature, LLC.   On February 7, learn about the pros and cons of different methods of capturing an electronic signature, including "click thrus," signature pads, and voice signatures.   Learn why certain electronic signature methods make sense inside an organization (inside the firewall) and how other methods are suitable for customer facing transactions.

The third session on February 14 covers how to evaluate whether to build or buy all or part of your electronic signature solution. Also, learn about specific trends in different industries and current thinking about the best way to authenticate users, the best way to present documents to signers prior to signature, and the best way to store signed documents in such a way that they will withstand disputes.

 

About the Speakers:

Instructor Tommy Petrogiannis is President of Silanis Technology, Inc. and has been the driving force behind Silanis since co-founding the company in 1992. He directs Silanis' corporate strategy, and guides its research and development efforts. A recognized authority on electronic signatures and approvals, Mr. Petrogiannis has been a speaker at many government and commercial industry conferences. His two decades of IT experience have also included work at Compaq and Matrox Electronics. You may contact him at tommy_petrogiannis@silanis.com.

 

Instructor Clay Kittrell is CEO of Voice Signature LLC, a company specializing in software technology that permits individuals to sign important forms using their voice.  Mr. Kittrell helped promote passage of one of the nation’s first electronic signature laws at the state level in 1996 and has worked diligently to promote subsequent laws and regulations, including UETA. You may contact him at ckittrell@voicesignature.com.

 

Check the BFMA website soon for full registration details.  All Master Series are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Pacific time.

Master Series: Give us your ideas!

By: Margaret Tassin
Program Council, Director of Education

 

There are already two Master Series announced for January and February: Bar Codes and Electronic Signatures. What are you interested in learning? Here are some additional ideas from the Program Council for other presentations in 2008:

• Paper Forms and Printing
• Project Management
• Change Your Thinking (various topics from "systems thinking" to "professional attitudes" to "meeting facilitation")
• Forms Analysis and Design
• Planning for the Move to Electronic Forms
• Usability

Some of these topics are new to the Master Series, while others have been presented before. Because BFMA has a mix of seasoned veterans and new-to-the-industry members, it is important for the Master Series to present new topics as well as those that are basic to the forms professional body of knowledge.

Working with the Program Council, I am this year's director of education and am responsible for scheduling the Master Series classes. Before we plan beyond February, we want your input. Do these classes interest you? What other topics would you like to see included? Please include a comment using the link under this post (comment) or shoot me an email, with your ideas and thoughts. I hope to hear from you soon!

Window Closing on Call for Candidates

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

Do you enjoy connecting with other BFMA members? Are you perhaps looking for an opportunity for professional growth, to make a meaningful contribution, or to give back to an organization that you enjoy? These are good reasons to consider pursuing a leadership position within BFMA. A professional association is a great place to get some experience, develop new skills, and have an ongoing reason to interact with other forms professionals.

So, you know the deadline is drawing near to file for association offices. If you are interested, please review the position descriptions to see which office best suits your skills and talents. Feel free to contact me or any board member to learn more about a particular office.

Serving on the Board of Directors is a very rewarding experience, but it is also a commitment to be made thoughtfully. Participation on BFMA’s Board of Directors requires your employer’s support. You will be required to attend both the Fall and Symposium meetings of the Board. Candidate statements based on the BFMA Strategic Plan will be posted on the website. For use as samples, last year’s candidate statements can be found here. To register your candidacy, download a Candidate Registration Form.

Return the completed registration form with a digital photo in .TIF format by December 15, 2007(that’s right, this Saturday).

Remember, even if a position at the association level is not right for you at this time, there are lots of rewarding opportunities available, such as helping to make a chapter go, serving as a regional or SIG coordinator, or working on a committee. If you wonder how your talents and interests may match up with BFMA openings, just contact one of us.

You may wonder where you’ll find the time for an additional role. To quote my favorite association president, “There’s always time for the things you want to do.” You might find that you love it. J And that you learn a lot at the same time.