Institutionalizing Your Chapter Through Renewal
By Russ Finney
1999 Austin Chapter President
August 1999
In many large cities AITP chapters are already institutions. They may have existed for many years with considerable success. The local AITP chapter may already be woven into the fabric of the city and the IT community. These are AITP's current success stories.
In other cities the local chapter may have gone through a period of decline. The chapter may be "hanging in there" with a handful of local AITP diehards. The group may have become invisible to the city's greater IT community. These are the chapters now reaching out for new ideas and assistance.
In some cities our newly formed (or recently "revitalized") chapters are in growth mode as they actively campaign for new members. These chapters are excited about the possibilities of AITP affiliation, and for the opportunities they see to bring their local IT communities together.
I believe that every chapter goes through these common cycles -- institution, decline, renewal. The cycle in which your chapter currently finds itself can influence your strategy for long term success in your local area. Start by making an honest assessment of your current cycle.
Institution
If your chapter is already large and successful you must keep two things in mind. Don't get complacent, and find ways to give back.
Your focus should be on securing top quality speakers and panels, hosting community events and seminars, giving large scholarships, sponsoring local awards and recognition, and generating unending publicity. You have made it to the top, now you must hold the position.
Your reward is a united and energized local IT community which is working toward the greater good of the profession, the association, and local IT community as a whole. The should be the goal of AITP everywhere.
Decline
AITP represents a new paradigm for our profession. Technology has advanced to the point that it no longer exists in sterile computer rooms. It's everywhere and it's complicated.
Technologists need specialized associations to address their unique skills and interests. But they also need opportunities to network and learn from the IT community as a whole. AITP fills this gap. We form an umbrella over the IT profession in our local communities.
If your chapter is in decline, take another look at the mission of AITP. Are you making your chapter THE gathering point for IT professionals, educators, service providers, consultants, and vendors? Are you using technology to leverage your time and resources by sending your announcements via email? Are you making your podium the most desirable in town for top technology speakers? Are you publicizing your meetings in the local media?
Taking a few simple steps can reverse the trend and revitalize your membership.
Renewal
If your chapter is just getting started - you'll have a chance to do it right. Find people for your local boards who care about bringing your community together. Find board members with good contacts into your local executive and speaker bases. Find people to serve your chapter who feel good about contributing directly to their IT community's success.
Then get out there and hold your events. It may be small at first, but by using the techniques I have been describing over the last few months you will see results. Community building is a snowball effect. Before you know it you will be wrestling with issues such as meeting room sizes and membership database maintenance.
You'll be well on you way to making your AITP chapter an institution.
Please share your thoughts and comments regarding this feature. You can do so by posting to our AITP Members Forum or by writing me at webadmin@itmweb.com.
Copyright © 1999, Russ Finney, All Rights Reserved. Originally written for The Information Executive.
