Chapter of the Future Proposals-Web Link
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1. An Unofficial Straw Poll:

Dear Fellow NSA Leaders,

This is an unofficial (not sponsored by NSA) survey, but I will share its results with all of you on February 11th.

I'm sending this out because I think it is important for the NSA Board members to know what the chapters think of these final proposals before they must cast their votes.

Please invest five minutes to be heard in this decision making process.

Remember Cavett wanted to form a national organization with the goals of making speaking a full-time profession and helping people to become speakers through other people's experience.

Keep Smilin'
Marty

Marty Val Hill
NSA Mountain West Immediate Past President
and Chapter Leadership Council (CLC) Member

PS--I've included some excerpts from my previous email to you so I can also get some feedback on whether you think my alternative suggestions have merit.

I recognize some will disagree with a few of my points and I respect the differences in our opinions. Please don't worry that I'm trying to unduly influence your opinions--I have every faith that you will vote your conscience with or without my disclosed bias.

"People are persuaded more by the depth of our own conviction than by the height of our knowledge." ~C.R.

Contact me anytime:

1. How should the NSA Board vote on each of these proposals, as currently written? How would you vote on them if you were an NSA Board Member?

The board will vote on these proposals at their next meeting on February 11-14.

	Yes	No, must be re-written to support	No
1. Chapter Events Before, During, and After National Events: Amend #5 of the Chapter “Minimum Thresholds” as stated in the Chapter Position Paper to read: “No Chapter events will be held within THREE DAYS (currently it says a week) before or after the National Convention and ONE National Conference.”	*How should the NSA Board vote on each of these proposals, as currently written? How would you vote on them if you were an NSA Board Member? The board will vote on these proposals at their next meeting on February 11-14. 1. Chapter Events Before, During, and After National Events: Amend #5 of the Chapter “Minimum Thresholds” as stated in the Chapter Position Paper to read: “No Chapter events will be held within THREE DAYS (currently it says a week) before or after the National Convention and ONE National Conference.” Yes	1. Chapter Events Before, During, and After National Events: Amend #5 of the Chapter “Minimum Thresholds” as stated in the Chapter Position Paper to read: “No Chapter events will be held within THREE DAYS (currently it says a week) before or after the National Convention and ONE National Conference.” No, must be re-written to support	1. Chapter Events Before, During, and After National Events: Amend #5 of the Chapter “Minimum Thresholds” as stated in the Chapter Position Paper to read: “No Chapter events will be held within THREE DAYS (currently it says a week) before or after the National Convention and ONE National Conference.” No
2. Dues Increase to Motivate Chapter Membership: In July of 2010, National will increase dues to $450 (up from $425 in 2009) with $25 to be deducted from the amount due if the national member is also a member of a NSA chapter at the time of renewal.	2. Dues Increase to Motivate Chapter Membership: In July of 2010, National will increase dues to $450 (up from $425 in 2009) with $25 to be deducted from the amount due if the national member is also a member of a NSA chapter at the time of renewal. Yes	2. Dues Increase to Motivate Chapter Membership: In July of 2010, National will increase dues to $450 (up from $425 in 2009) with $25 to be deducted from the amount due if the national member is also a member of a NSA chapter at the time of renewal. No, must be re-written to support	2. Dues Increase to Motivate Chapter Membership: In July of 2010, National will increase dues to $450 (up from $425 in 2009) with $25 to be deducted from the amount due if the national member is also a member of a NSA chapter at the time of renewal. No
5. Wordpress Theme used for Standardized Website Template for Chapters: NSA will fund the development of a Wordpress template or other website template and provide 5 training webinars for the maintenance of the sites. In addition NSA will offer optional web hosting on the NSA system for a reduced price.	5. Wordpress Theme used for Standardized Website Template for Chapters: NSA will fund the development of a Wordpress template or other website template and provide 5 training webinars for the maintenance of the sites. In addition NSA will offer optional web hosting on the NSA system for a reduced price. Yes	5. Wordpress Theme used for Standardized Website Template for Chapters: NSA will fund the development of a Wordpress template or other website template and provide 5 training webinars for the maintenance of the sites. In addition NSA will offer optional web hosting on the NSA system for a reduced price. No, must be re-written to support	5. Wordpress Theme used for Standardized Website Template for Chapters: NSA will fund the development of a Wordpress template or other website template and provide 5 training webinars for the maintenance of the sites. In addition NSA will offer optional web hosting on the NSA system for a reduced price. No
7. Designating a Consistent Nationwide Name for Speaker Development Programs: It is proposed that chapter speaker development programs be designated by the same consistent name to be determined by NSA national (Name to be decided by national office after the vote).	7. Designating a Consistent Nationwide Name for Speaker Development Programs: It is proposed that chapter speaker development programs be designated by the same consistent name to be determined by NSA national (Name to be decided by national office after the vote). Yes	7. Designating a Consistent Nationwide Name for Speaker Development Programs: It is proposed that chapter speaker development programs be designated by the same consistent name to be determined by NSA national (Name to be decided by national office after the vote). No, must be re-written to support	7. Designating a Consistent Nationwide Name for Speaker Development Programs: It is proposed that chapter speaker development programs be designated by the same consistent name to be determined by NSA national (Name to be decided by national office after the vote). No
8. Chapter Speaker Development Program Offering: It is proposed that chapters have the option to offer speaker development programs currently called “Speakers Academy”, “Fast Track”, “Pro Track” and many other labels. These programs will include the national core competencies and WILL have supplemental materials as well as resources recommended or provided by NSA national. These programs may include content from the NSA Academy for Professional Speaking and other resources.	8. Chapter Speaker Development Program Offering: It is proposed that chapters have the option to offer speaker development programs currently called “Speakers Academy”, “Fast Track”, “Pro Track” and many other labels. These programs will include the national core competencies and WILL have supplemental materials as well as resources recommended or provided by NSA national. These programs may include content from the NSA Academy for Professional Speaking and other resources. Yes	8. Chapter Speaker Development Program Offering: It is proposed that chapters have the option to offer speaker development programs currently called “Speakers Academy”, “Fast Track”, “Pro Track” and many other labels. These programs will include the national core competencies and WILL have supplemental materials as well as resources recommended or provided by NSA national. These programs may include content from the NSA Academy for Professional Speaking and other resources. No, must be re-written to support	8. Chapter Speaker Development Program Offering: It is proposed that chapters have the option to offer speaker development programs currently called “Speakers Academy”, “Fast Track”, “Pro Track” and many other labels. These programs will include the national core competencies and WILL have supplemental materials as well as resources recommended or provided by NSA national. These programs may include content from the NSA Academy for Professional Speaking and other resources. No
7-8: Marty's alternative to the two proposals above: Chapter speaker development programs that don't include the free national curriculum will be called Pro-Tracks and those that do will be called Academies. Chapters may customize the name of their local offering so long as either Pro-Track or Academy is included in the name.	7-8: Marty's alternative to the two proposals above: Chapter speaker development programs that don't include the free national curriculum will be called Pro-Tracks and those that do will be called Academies. Chapters may customize the name of their local offering so long as either Pro-Track or Academy is included in the name. Yes	7-8: Marty's alternative to the two proposals above: Chapter speaker development programs that don't include the free national curriculum will be called Pro-Tracks and those that do will be called Academies. Chapters may customize the name of their local offering so long as either Pro-Track or Academy is included in the name. No, must be re-written to support	7-8: Marty's alternative to the two proposals above: Chapter speaker development programs that don't include the free national curriculum will be called Pro-Tracks and those that do will be called Academies. Chapters may customize the name of their local offering so long as either Pro-Track or Academy is included in the name. No

2. Franchise Model (which did NOT come from the Summit floor):
How should the NSA Board vote on current proposal # 11?

Marty's comments: NO GO.

People pay big money for a franchise because the system has proven itself. People buy McDonald's franchises not because they care about burgers, but because they care about making money in a business that cannot fail. The franchise system is so good that nobody fails. Unfortunately, NSA does NOT have that system. If you want to build this system, that's great--I'll even help. But then you need to offer it to some test markets where it can prove itself. Then the other markets CHOOSE to buy into it--because it works better than what they have. If you have written a franchise model plan that you think is good enough, take it to a new chapter or better yet a failing chapter and offer/mandate it there. If it works there, I guarantee the other chapter presidents will show some genuine interest.

What minimal requirements are you proposing? These requirements need to be known and drafted before this proposal is voted on. If all you mean by a franchise model is that chapters will comply with existing minimum standards, most will support it. If, on the other hand, you mean much more (eg: all chapters will meet on Saturday morning, follow the same programming outline, use the same color table linens, run newspaper ads a week before each event, and charge the same price for meetings or dues) very few will support a franchise model.

	Yes	No
Current Proposal 11, As Written: That NSA, in collaboration with independent NSA Chapters, develop a “franchise model” of working together, harnessing the strength of the NSA brand in the national, regional and local marketplaces.	*Franchise Model (which did NOT come from the Summit floor): How should the NSA Board vote on current proposal # 11? Marty's comments: NO GO. People pay big money for a franchise because the system has proven itself. People buy McDonald's franchises not because they care about burgers, but because they care about making money in a business that cannot fail. The franchise system is so good that nobody fails. Unfortunately, NSA does NOT have that system. If you want to build this system, that's great--I'll even help. But then you need to offer it to some test markets where it can prove itself. Then the other markets CHOOSE to buy into it--because it works better than what they have. If you have written a franchise model plan that you think is good enough, take it to a new chapter or better yet a failing chapter and offer/mandate it there. If it works there, I guarantee the other chapter presidents will show some genuine interest. What minimal requirements are you proposing? These requirements need to be known and drafted before this proposal is voted on. If all you mean by a franchise model is that chapters will comply with existing minimum standards, most will support it. If, on the other hand, you mean much more (eg: all chapters will meet on Saturday morning, follow the same programming outline, use the same color table linens, run newspaper ads a week before each event, and charge the same price for meetings or dues) very few will support a franchise model. Current Proposal 11, As Written: That NSA, in collaboration with independent NSA Chapters, develop a “franchise model” of working together, harnessing the strength of the NSA brand in the national, regional and local marketplaces. Yes	Current Proposal 11, As Written: That NSA, in collaboration with independent NSA Chapters, develop a “franchise model” of working together, harnessing the strength of the NSA brand in the national, regional and local marketplaces. No

3. Uniform Bylaws Template: How should the NSA Board vote on current proposal # 3?

Marty's comments: NO GO.

I agree with providing a "best practice" set of Bylaws (and in fact provided our chapter's which are posted on ChapterOne), but the idea that national can better understand a chapter's needs than the chapter is unfounded, at best. "Bylaws" all the way back to the 1200s were local rules, not top-down national requirements. NSA's non-negotiables or minimum thresholds are as much as an association should try to force on their chapters. How do we even ask our members to vote on something that you've already decided for them...? The proposed $500 for legal review of your master document is also going to be a waste of money unless you are requiring all chapters to re-incorporate in Arizona or some other single jurisdiction. National dictating the Bylaws of each chapter also has the potential to expose national to some risk from certain liability claims based on the actions of a single chapter.

	Yes	No
Current Proposal 3, as Written: Chapters of the National Speakers Association will adopt and uphold the standardized set of Bylaws provided by the National Speakers Association. Requests for customization and changes to the bylaws must be pre-approved by the National Speakers Association.	*Uniform Bylaws Template: How should the NSA Board vote on current proposal # 3? Marty's comments: NO GO. I agree with providing a "best practice" set of Bylaws (and in fact provided our chapter's which are posted on ChapterOne), but the idea that national can better understand a chapter's needs than the chapter is unfounded, at best. "Bylaws" all the way back to the 1200s were local rules, not top-down national requirements. NSA's non-negotiables or minimum thresholds are as much as an association should try to force on their chapters. How do we even ask our members to vote on something that you've already decided for them...? The proposed $500 for legal review of your master document is also going to be a waste of money unless you are requiring all chapters to re-incorporate in Arizona or some other single jurisdiction. National dictating the Bylaws of each chapter also has the potential to expose national to some risk from certain liability claims based on the actions of a single chapter. Current Proposal 3, as Written: Chapters of the National Speakers Association will adopt and uphold the standardized set of Bylaws provided by the National Speakers Association. Requests for customization and changes to the bylaws must be pre-approved by the National Speakers Association. Yes	Current Proposal 3, as Written: Chapters of the National Speakers Association will adopt and uphold the standardized set of Bylaws provided by the National Speakers Association. Requests for customization and changes to the bylaws must be pre-approved by the National Speakers Association. No
Friendly Amendment: I would support an effort to establish a list of minimum thresholds or requirements that must be met in all chapter Bylaws (eg: Categories of membership consistent with NSA, minimum number of board members, process for removing officers, process for amending Bylaws, officers required to be national members, etc), but allow the chapters to otherwise govern themselves.	Friendly Amendment: I would support an effort to establish a list of minimum thresholds or requirements that must be met in all chapter Bylaws (eg: Categories of membership consistent with NSA, minimum number of board members, process for removing officers, process for amending Bylaws, officers required to be national members, etc), but allow the chapters to otherwise govern themselves. Yes	Friendly Amendment: I would support an effort to establish a list of minimum thresholds or requirements that must be met in all chapter Bylaws (eg: Categories of membership consistent with NSA, minimum number of board members, process for removing officers, process for amending Bylaws, officers required to be national members, etc), but allow the chapters to otherwise govern themselves. No

4. NSA Logo Standardization and Usage Policy for Chapters: How should the NSA Board vote on current proposal # 4?

Marty's comments: NO GO.

I agree with Ed again here. Chapters that invested the money to create local logos that fell within existing guidelines must be grandfathered. This is especially true since for the past couple years NSA hasn't even had a designer on staff and has told new and renamed chapters they were "on their own" to create a chapter logo. Our NSA Mt West logo is posted on ChapterOne as an example. We created this when we changed from NSA Utah to NSA Mt West and national said they couldn't make us a new logo. This graphic combines our Mt West Speakers Association logo, service mark, and web identity with the NSA logo. It doesn't meet these new requirements, but I think it still conveys a consistent NSA brand in the marketplace.

	Yes	No
Current Proposal 4, As Written: Chapters will only use the NSA standard created chapter logos. Chapters may create a masthead for chapter newsletters that must be submitted to National for pre-approval before using.	*NSA Logo Standardization and Usage Policy for Chapters: How should the NSA Board vote on current proposal # 4? Marty's comments: NO GO. I agree with Ed again here. Chapters that invested the money to create local logos that fell within existing guidelines must be grandfathered. This is especially true since for the past couple years NSA hasn't even had a designer on staff and has told new and renamed chapters they were "on their own" to create a chapter logo. Our NSA Mt West logo is posted on ChapterOne as an example. We created this when we changed from NSA Utah to NSA Mt West and national said they couldn't make us a new logo. This graphic combines our Mt West Speakers Association logo, service mark, and web identity with the NSA logo. It doesn't meet these new requirements, but I think it still conveys a consistent NSA brand in the marketplace. Current Proposal 4, As Written: Chapters will only use the NSA standard created chapter logos. Chapters may create a masthead for chapter newsletters that must be submitted to National for pre-approval before using. Yes	Current Proposal 4, As Written: Chapters will only use the NSA standard created chapter logos. Chapters may create a masthead for chapter newsletters that must be submitted to National for pre-approval before using. No
Friendly Amendment: Would support this if it grandfathered chapters with custom logos that include the NSA logo.	Friendly Amendment: Would support this if it grandfathered chapters with custom logos that include the NSA logo. Yes	Friendly Amendment: Would support this if it grandfathered chapters with custom logos that include the NSA logo. No

5. Do you support each of these proposals?

These will not be voted on by the Board this month, but may be enacted administratively.

	Yes	No
6. National Public Relations Synergy and Uniformity to Benefit and Promote Chapters: National will publicize local events for chapters via social media and traditional PR efforts, including the possibility of posting local events on the national website.	*Do you support each of these proposals? These will not be voted on by the Board this month, but may be enacted administratively. 6. National Public Relations Synergy and Uniformity to Benefit and Promote Chapters: National will publicize local events for chapters via social media and traditional PR efforts, including the possibility of posting local events on the national website. Yes	6. National Public Relations Synergy and Uniformity to Benefit and Promote Chapters: National will publicize local events for chapters via social media and traditional PR efforts, including the possibility of posting local events on the national website. No
9. Best Practice Sharing and Forum for Vice President of Programs at Chapter Level: Creation of a Program Chairs Council to enable quality and consistency of programming at the chapter level.	9. Best Practice Sharing and Forum for Vice President of Programs at Chapter Level: Creation of a Program Chairs Council to enable quality and consistency of programming at the chapter level. Yes	9. Best Practice Sharing and Forum for Vice President of Programs at Chapter Level: Creation of a Program Chairs Council to enable quality and consistency of programming at the chapter level. No
Marty's Alternative to 9: I'd call it a Chapter Programming PEG rather than a Program Chairs Council. PEG is a brand we already own (although I wouldn't charge the typical PEG fee for this one). Some chapters have a VP do programs, others the Pres-Elect, others the Pres, and still others a committee--A PEG attracts all these plus anyone else who wants to help or get a sneak peak (next year's program guy).	Marty's Alternative to 9: I'd call it a Chapter Programming PEG rather than a Program Chairs Council. PEG is a brand we already own (although I wouldn't charge the typical PEG fee for this one). Some chapters have a VP do programs, others the Pres-Elect, others the Pres, and still others a committee--A PEG attracts all these plus anyone else who wants to help or get a sneak peak (next year's program guy). Yes	Marty's Alternative to 9: I'd call it a Chapter Programming PEG rather than a Program Chairs Council. PEG is a brand we already own (although I wouldn't charge the typical PEG fee for this one). Some chapters have a VP do programs, others the Pres-Elect, others the Pres, and still others a committee--A PEG attracts all these plus anyone else who wants to help or get a sneak peak (next year's program guy). No
10. Optional eSpeakers Integration into Chapter Websites with Profile of Members: Chapters would have the option to use eSpeakers to power and fill in their Chapter Directories and Website Profiles. This would update in real time as NSA members would not show up on local directories unless their national membership were current. No further details on this recommendation are included in this proposal as the sum total of this issue is stated here.	10. Optional eSpeakers Integration into Chapter Websites with Profile of Members: Chapters would have the option to use eSpeakers to power and fill in their Chapter Directories and Website Profiles. This would update in real time as NSA members would not show up on local directories unless their national membership were current. No further details on this recommendation are included in this proposal as the sum total of this issue is stated here. Yes	10. Optional eSpeakers Integration into Chapter Websites with Profile of Members: Chapters would have the option to use eSpeakers to power and fill in their Chapter Directories and Website Profiles. This would update in real time as NSA members would not show up on local directories unless their national membership were current. No further details on this recommendation are included in this proposal as the sum total of this issue is stated here. No
Marty's Comment/Question: eSpeakers is a great product. My only concern with it being the NSA directory or a chapter directory is that it makes NSAers with paid eSpeakers accounts look better than those with free eSpeakers accounts. I worry that as is, the day will soon come when some NSAers will choose a paid eSpeakers account over their national NSA membership. Many believe in exchange for the advertising associated with being our directory provider eSpeakers should offer NSA members with free accounts one video and one document (one sheet) upload so all NSA members are presented similarly. Do you think NSA should ask eSpeakers to offer these features before adopting and promoting their service to chapters?	Marty's Comment/Question: eSpeakers is a great product. My only concern with it being the NSA directory or a chapter directory is that it makes NSAers with paid eSpeakers accounts look better than those with free eSpeakers accounts. I worry that as is, the day will soon come when some NSAers will choose a paid eSpeakers account over their national NSA membership. Many believe in exchange for the advertising associated with being our directory provider eSpeakers should offer NSA members with free accounts one video and one document (one sheet) upload so all NSA members are presented similarly. Do you think NSA should ask eSpeakers to offer these features before adopting and promoting their service to chapters? Yes	Marty's Comment/Question: eSpeakers is a great product. My only concern with it being the NSA directory or a chapter directory is that it makes NSAers with paid eSpeakers accounts look better than those with free eSpeakers accounts. I worry that as is, the day will soon come when some NSAers will choose a paid eSpeakers account over their national NSA membership. Many believe in exchange for the advertising associated with being our directory provider eSpeakers should offer NSA members with free accounts one video and one document (one sheet) upload so all NSA members are presented similarly. Do you think NSA should ask eSpeakers to offer these features before adopting and promoting their service to chapters? No

6. Please type in any comments you would like to share with me. Thanks.

Please type in any comments you would like to share with me. Thanks.

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