When I got the idea to
start this blog it was with the intent that it wouldn't only answer questions,
but it might create progress in the association. Further it might remind
leadership of things we should be doing. The following question is perfect.
This installment’s
question comes from long time AFA supporter Ken Norman.
Tom:
Since
when did the AFA start giving out member pins? I've been a member since 1991,
Member number 3001 and I've never gotten one.
Ken
You can’t imagine that
anyone in current leadership actually knows when the AFA started giving out
membership pins, but it’s been awhile. The
first time I saw a membership pin it was at the first Portland Convention, I
walked up to a table with Jamie Guignion where a volunteer sat with a box of
pins and a list. He stated his name and the volunteer looked at the list and
handed him an appropriate pin. Others had preceded and followed accordingly. I
never gave it much thought until I got Ken’s email.
For the record the pins are:5, 10, 15, 20, 25,
30, 35, and now 40 year pins, but the fact is that they are distributed and
that the members who have stuck in there deserve them. That said it is the lack
of policy at the Association level that has the distribution of them inexact.
What’s happening now-
Since the office staff has learned of this question, they are going through the
association record and seeing who has gotten pins and who hasn't, they have
added a field to your membership record to note if your pins have been
distributed and at the time of this writing preparing a mailing of pins to
those members who have earned them. Staff has also drafted office policy that
will go before the Board of Directors for approval in Reno this February, to
distribute pins with future membership renewals. That said the question of
membership pins is not finalized.
While, I am sure that
there was a decision made in the past to have the pins, unfortunately that
decision wasn’t noted in the corporate record book. Fortunately because we have
these pesky bylaws and policies to protect the Association, the board will have
to approve the pins and a method of distribution. This should take place in
Reno as well.
The Next installment of
this blog will be December 21st- Certification questions we have
received to this point
(This post Prepared by Thomas N. Trosin, with assistance of Staff)
