Member News: Recent board actions

A synopsis of decisions made at the meetings of the Board of Directors and membership at the annual convention held on September 10 – 13, 2008 follows:

* The AWNA will retain the blanket classified advertising rebate this year as part of its recovery process, in light of its $500,000 loss as a result of the failure of Highwood Communications, the agency of record for the Alberta Government. In addition, the association is instituting a number of cost-cutting measures;
* The Board approved four policy changes. One key change allows the Nominating Committee to invite more than a full slate of officers/directors, for election to the board, in the interests of making election to the AWNA board a more open and democratic process. The board also amended the AWNA’s investment policy and changed its membership complaints procedure, such that all information will be freely shared with both the plaintiff and accused member, similar to how the Alberta Press Council’s adjudication process works. A fourth policy change was approved that requires all standing committee chairs to be directors of the AWNA;
* The AWNA Board passed a motion requesting that AdWest include regional association advertising/marketing committee chairs in its monthly Executive Committee conference calls. This request was made to help ensure that AdWest is moving in a direction that is consistent with the wishes of AWNA, SWNA and MCNA. In addition, the AWNA asked AdWest to step up its sales/marketing activities in the Calgary market;
* Another decision allows staff to continue its search for a building and/or office condominium to house AWNA;
* The Audit Committee and Board will look into the feasibility of changing AWNA’s financial year from a fiscal to calendar year (bylaw change required);
* The Board will look at term lengths for executive members (one vs. two-year) and possibly adding one director position to the board in light of the President serving as a CCNA director (bylaw change required);