As a two-time board member in IABC chapters in Europe, and a former member of the Washington chapter in the US, the thing that has long struck me is how much IABC is “about IABC”, and how much of the energies of its volunteer leaders and occasional paid/seconded is dedicated to providing infrastructural support to the chapter and its various events. The International HQ, in my dealings with its staff in recent months, is also clearly focused on providing support to current members and chapters to a large extent.
But while membership is growing and finances are stable—and IABC is doing a relatively effective job of “advocating IABC”, the Advocacy Initiative has exposed two other fronts where IABC is barely making a dent if at all. The first—leading an effective advocacy effort on behalf of the communication professions in the marketplace, and the second, advocating the role that communication and communicators can have in addressing major issues in our communities and around the world.
A quick look at the status quo illustrates that the inward focus on strengthening IABC clearly comes first. Partially, this is because the industry advocacy or issues impact alternatives have really only emerged very recently. But clearly, an inwardly focused organization that operates on consensus and consultation, rather than being clearly directed through democratic participation, instead is likely to continue on its current path.
That is why I advocate some form of direct election of IABC officers—to allow candidates to commit to one of a number of advocacy directions, and to bring to the leadership role a clear mandate for IABC to move in one direction or another.
Additionally, given that IABC members are all communicators, what could be wrong with having candidates communicate their visions for our Association’s future, and to have our members directly choose between those visions? Indeed, such an approach could unleash the real advocacy potential of IABC. I’m not saying it’s the only answer—or even the best answer. But it is darn well one that should be given real consideration.
