Just a note to say that, as MBPA's new president, I am really looking forward to continuing the momentum put in place by Sheila Ruth and our former (and current) board. It wasn't that long ago that our membership was in the single digits, and not much was going on because of the challenges of managing a group that covers such a large geographic area. But Sheila took the bull by the horns and ably led us to a new growth spurt. She did the research and implementation that brought us into the 21st century by moving us to this web-based membership platform, and helped us wisely choose where we would spend our limited marketing budgets in live events.
Her dedication and effort paid off, and as of this post, we have more than 50 members and are more active than ever! We have plans to exhibit at more consumer festivals and shows than we have previously, and are right now awaiting final applications for our two scholarship recipients, who we'll send to represent us at IBPA University in May.
It's an exciting way to begin my presidency, but it also reminds me that I have some big shoes to fill. I'd like my first action to be a sincere and direct outreach to all our members, asking for your active participation in our organization. After all, the collective skills, knowledge and experience of our membership are without doubt our most valuable benefits, and you can't share in those unless you participate in our quarterly member meetings, volunteer for committees, join us for exhibit events and post here on our blog and discussion forum.
Here, I'm setting out goals for my term with MBPA at the March meeting.When I asked for suggestions from attendees at the March meeting and education event for possible new member benefits we could add for MBPA, I got some wonderful feedback. People would like to see us
- sponsor and arrange field trips to publishing-related locations in our region
- invite industry professionals and experts to come speak to our group
- develop an awards competition for our titles to gain credibility and exposure
- establish relationships with suppliers of the kinds of items we all need so we can buy in bulk as a group and share the savings
Member Lisa Paul and past president Toni Albert listen to ideas for gaining
greater profitability through wider trade distribution during Sheila's
information-packed Mastermind Session after lunch.What new benefits and opportunities would YOU like to see us offer our members? Please don't hesitate to contact me [publisher AT wordforgebooks DOT com] about your ideas for how MBPA can become more valuable to YOU and your company. And remember that all of these efforts require two things: time and money. So, the more you reach out to your fellow indy publishers to bring them into the fold, the more their dues will support our efforts. And the more you share responsibility for supporting our activities by volunteering, the more our value to all members will be enhanced.
Board Vice President Annmarie Kelly, member Irene Tsai, Board Member
Marc Gave and Immediate Past President Sheila Ruth discuss
market approaches during our lunch break at the March meeting.
Very soon, I will be asking you to please consider volunteering for just ONE event this coming year, or serving on just ONE committee. If you haven't done so before, it will represent 100% more effort on your part than you've ever offered the group, while actually requiring very little time and effort on your individual part. Even so, it will represent a significant increase in how well we can serve everyone's needs.
Board secretary Eileen McIntyre shares tips with member Debra Finnegan-Suler
for getting pre-publication reviewsfor her new book, "Madman." Enthusiasm breeds excitement, and participation breeds success. Don't flounder around on your own out there in what has become a wild and woolly publishing industry! Band together with some of the most interested, intelligent and knowledgeable folks in our region, and multiply your own chances for success!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Mary Shafer