Forms Talk

Association Leaders Take Office

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP, Administration

The board of directors for 2008-2009 was installed during symposium. These members serve the association as volunteers and are your representatives. They welcome your input and involvement any time.

President: Ray Killam

Past president: Karen Albright

VP, Administration: Lisa Lee

VP, Membership: DJ Brown

Director, Member Relations: Beth Curry

VP, Programs: Margaret Tassin

Director, Education: Carol Casper

Director, Program Operations: Robin Miller

 

General business meeting

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP, Administration

The annual membership meeting was held during symposium. Finding the location was a wee bit of a hunt, but not overly challenging, as the meeting was well attended with 20 members present.

President Ray Killam presented the state of the association. Vice President of Administration Lisa Lee provided a financial report. Executive Director Andy Palatka provided an update on key association activities. Questions raised by members ranged from plans to promote the new student memberships, to the sponsor program, to the profitability of symposium. This interaction resulted in a more meaningful and longer business meeting than average.

Past President Lea Anne Fuchs conducted the installation of officers. New board members accepted the responsibilities of their positions for 2008-2009.

All BFMA members are welcome to attend the general business meeting. It is held during symposium to make it as accessible to members as possible.

Board of Directors Meeting

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP, Administration

Two meetings of the board of directors were held recently. The outgoing board met on Sunday morning, just before the start of symposium. The incoming board met just after symposium, on Friday, May 9.

At the outgoing board meeting, Executive Director Andy Palatka reported on expectations for Symposium 2008, officers reported on their areas of responsibility since last fall, San Antonio was selected as the site for Symposium 2009, approval was given to explore the requirements for BFMA to become an ANSI-certified standards developer, and retiring board members Bill Hill, Al Howick and Alice Ladd were recognized.

At the incoming board meeting, appointments of region coordinators and committee chairpersons were recognized. Acknowledgements were collected from board members in accordance with BFMA's conflict of interest policy. The sponsor program was amended to provide memberships to paid sponsors, to increase active BFMA membership and to add a sponsor benefit. Email accounts were approved in support of board activities. Pricing was approved for the Fall Forms Institute. Plans of action for 2008-2009 were approved for the President’s Council, the Past President’s Council, the Program Council, the Membership Council, and the VP of Administration and the Marketing Council.

Did you know that members may attend board meetings? These meetings deal with association business, and members are welcome to attend. The next physical meeting of the board will be held in conjunction with the Fall Forms Institute in Rochester on Sunday, September 28.

Top 10 Stories of 2007

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

Hey, if the big publications can have a top ten list, so can we. What were BFMA’s top stories for the year?

Plan of Action | In May the board approved a comprehensive plan of action to increase communication and members’ opportunities to participate in BFMA, with specific goals and actions for each council plus headquarters. The plan was affirmed at the Fall board meeting. Members began seeing fruit of the plan in November.

Symposium 2007 | The St. Louis symposium in May was packed with 5 tracks of forms education, 68 sessions, 45 speakers and an optional Advanced Training Session on Thursday. BFMA's signature event included new features based on suggestions from members for 'hot topics' and discussion groups. Class sessions received the highest evaluation scores ever, averaging 4.6 out of 5 possible points. Sponsor sessions provided the latest information on their products and services. There was lots of networking, as we found out others had the same challenges that we have. The new Board of Directors was installed at the General Business Meeting. The hotel was right next to the ballpark – we watched a sea of red as Cardinal fans poured in for games. The excitement was contagious! Some of us took those rare spare times to go up into the Arch and tour the museum or other scenic sights in the area.

Membership Reorganization | All members were invited to participate in online meetings. Regional coordinators were added to build chapter activity so that all members can be involved with BFMA on a regular basis.

Master Series | A record-setting number of webinars – 30 – were offered throughout the year, making quality forms education easily available to members and prospects regardless of location, with no travel expense. Topics ranged from forms basics to special interests.

Newsletter | A new online newsletter was launched in November, using a combination of newsletter and blog services. BFMA has a lot of news, and now we have a fabulous way to share that news every month and to interact right away in the blog. No more waiting for Symposium to connect!

From BC Canada to DC USA | Forms Institutes brought 2-day educational programs to forms professionals on both sides of North America in April and October. Brief, online demos by sponsors were piloted and found to be particularly interesting and effective. The program at both events earned high ratings, and attendees especially appreciated the opportunity to discuss common concerns.

Madison Chapter Celebrates 30th Anniversary | Madison’s milestone meeting led to a proclamation from Gov. Doyle of Forms Management Day in the State of Wisconsin! Alice Ladd teamed up with charter members Jim Bennett, Bob Kaether and Joyce Endres to provide an educational walk down memory lane. Ray Killam described the ever-changing forms industry, from the Industrial Revolution to the present, and the possibilities that the future holds. The forms industry is changing with the times.

New CFSPs | Three people passed the exam and gained certification as form systems professionals. BFMA is pleased to recognize Teri Watanabe of Saber Corporation (Portland, OR, USA),  Ann Balak and Shantelle Boatright both of David Thompson Health Region (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada).

New Membership Categories | Two new categories were approved to make it easy for students and retirees to be part of BFMA. What is that song from my Brownie days... Make new friends, but ke-ep the old, one is silver and the other's gold...

Online Meeting Technology | Use expanded to improve Board, Council and education communication.

Did we miss anything? If you know a story that should have been in the Top 10 for 2007 please comment below to add it. On the flip side, what would you like to see in the Top 10 for BFMA in this new year 2008?

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.

Fall Board Meeting

By: Lisa Lee, CEBS, FLMI
VP Administration

The board meeting was held in Washington DC together with the Fall Forms Institute. Topics included the membership reorganization, sponsorship, program plans, the newsletter, nominations for 2008-2009, awards, association administration and possible future changes to symposium. Board meetings are open to the membership and members are welcome to attend. The next physical meetings will be in Las Vegas, immediately before and after symposium.