Interesting discussion. But I have to point out an underlying problem-- we have taken our websites for granted. PRSA is another example. Tons of stories promoting conferences and workshops, but if I went looking for info on how to manage comms in this financial crisis, I'd never find it on the homepage.

Then I went to NIRI's site-- more of nothing relevant to the financial crisis (where you'd really think you'd find something!)

Do websites just get updated only on a "regular" schedule? Have websites become online versions of magazines?

Since the day they became part of the toolkit, websites have demanded attention on a 24/7 basis. But clearly, they don't get it.

To clarify a misunderstanding by Anonymous: I did not insinuate that it took MY post to nudge IABC into providing anything of substance on the issue. But I do assert that it took this discussion, begun by Michael Sebastian, to draw information out from IABC that should have been broadly communicated before.

I agree with Karrie that we need constructive suggestions for how IABC can improve, so I'll begin: Next time there's a big news story with implications for communicators, use every available medium to clearly state what IABC is doing to help its members navigate through it.

I agree that it is the collective's responsibility to ask for what we need from our associations.

I am a relatively new IABC member and may be a bit idealistic. That said I have to wonder what's so wrong with posting very real news that companies/groups can succeed and even thrive even in times of economic downturn?

Maybe this would be a more productive discussion if we talked about our communication challenges and provide constructive feedback (eg., how to publish more effectively via Web 2.0) to our association rather than making mountains out of mole hill posts?

ps - I think I'm going to use "plucky" a few times in conversation and see if it catches on...

As a long time member of IABC, I find these comments to be very interesting. I turn to IABC when I need guidance or resources on how to do my job better. I am impressed by the fact that IABC is working on developing real, usable information to help all of us work through the challenges we are facing as the front line communicators during this crisis. I am also pleased that they are taking the time to do this right, thus adding value to my membership. To insinuate, as Robert Holland has, that IABC just didn't even consider developing anything of substance until he posted something on this site is insulting and arrogant. I have faith that not only is IABC working on developing meaninful resources, but that the resources will be exactly what the communicators want and need in these trying times. As an aside, if the definition of plucky is what Mark Ragan says it is, I think Julie Freeman and IABC are absolutely plucky. What a great use of the word!

Shel,

You make a good point that IABC used social media and that in itself is leading edge, but I agree with Robert. I've always worked under the assumption that the burden of communication is on the sender, not the receiver. No one on the receiving end should be told they are not looking in the right place. Rather, IABC needs to send on all channels, "edge" and more traditional.

The idea that I, an IABC member, wasn't "looking in the right place" just reinforces my point. I understand about using multiple vehicles to communicate -- but with all the options available these days I shouldn't have to go looking to get helpful information from my association. Posting such information on the association's own website should have been a no-brainer.

I stand by my original criticism: As an association of communicators, IABC generally does a poor job of communicating its value to members.

Actually, Julie Freeman has made a statement. She just used one of the association's other channels -- IABC's Facebook group. As the presentation from High Context Consulting makes clear, associations need to have multiple channels, since so much communication now happens out on the edge. While the statement Julie made should be accessible from the website, the fact that it isn't doesn't mean that IABC has been silent. It just means you're not looking in the right place.

Once again it takes public criticism for IABC to do what it should have done in the first place: tell members about the resources and features that are relevant to the economic crisis.

Why couldn't Julie have mentioned the things in her original post that she mentioned in response to this one?

IABC has never been a model for communicators to follow and this instance proves it yet again.

Robert J Holland, ABC

This is great. A non-political, yet topical PR Junkie thread. Thanks, Michael!

There's not much an association can do to address real economic concerns of members(substantively) other than help members network and circulate their resumes to the right places in the event they lose their jobs or find the need to change jobs, or for business owners, help them get new clients.

Podcasts and articles in IABC trades that may provide tips on financial management issues are likely to be superficial at best. These things are not in their wheelhouse.

Bill, what do you expect IABC to do, solve the economic crisis?

In fairness to the association, I'm confident a lot of their individual members are busily doing their thing (and doing it well) for their respective employers and clients, helping them keep their various stakeholders informed and engaged.

IABC offers a number of (free) online resources for members seeking to solicit ideas and/or benchmark how others are addressing the crisis. So I'm not sure what you expect them to do.

How about some constructive suggestions, since you seem to have all the answers.

Michael,

"Plucky," eh?

It's kind of an old-fashioned word when you think about it. It seems so '70's' to me. It conjures images of Mary Tyler Moore whirling in the streets of St. Paul and tossing her cap in the air.

I know Julie Freeman, and she's not "plucky." But wait a minute. Maybe she is. I looked up the word on my trusty online dictionary. This is what it means:

"Having or showing courage and spirit in trying circumstances."

Well, perhaps she is plucky. She did steer IABC through a huge financial mess and restored confidence in the association. So why does the word seem so ill-fitting?

I think it's partly due to its lack of use. More likely, it's because it sounds so darn cute as it rolls off your tongue. Sarah Palin strikes me as "plucky." But not Julie Freeman.

Michael, now that I think of it, you're kind of plucky.

Sorry to digress, but I thought my fellow word fanatics might weigh in. David Murray, are you out there somewhere? Where are we when we need you?

Perhaps those viewing the IABC web site are judging the book by its cover (read that, "public content").

Once logged into the site, members are able to access members-only materials and services that provide support and information needed in tough economic times -- or other crises in communicators' professional and personal lives. We have the ability to use several forums to get information and/or feedback from fellow communicators, view posts and blog on the Exchange site, connect with each other -- whether we've met before or not -- through member search, and more.

IABC has contributed to my professional development, increased my credibility as a communicator, and provided me with contacts around the globe in industries I never would have come into contact with otherwise.

As with any organization, the value of IABC membership is in direct proportion to involvement. You won't get nearly as much from the organization if you just pay your dues and sit there waiting for spectacular things to happen. On the other hand, if you get off of your hindquarters and participate, there's no end to the return on investment.

Julie. Thank you for letting us know what's going on.

Plucky, eh? Well, that is a comment for a different post.

If my post about the health of IABC appeared to be insenstive to our members who are experiencing losses right now, I apologize. That was not my intention.

During an economic downtown, members need their association more than ever. IABC can provide its members resources on how to handle their jobs. The network can provide moral support and job leads. I did not want our members to have any doubts about IABC's well-being or wonder whether it would be around to support them.

So, specifically, what are we doing? Next week Barb Gibson and I will be podcasting about how to deal with the financial crisis. Both CW Bulletin and CW will have content on the subject. These programs are free to all members. We will be offering a web seminar in December and possibly a teleseminar in November to give communicators more ideas about effective strategies. We have other ideas in the works.

What IABC needs to do right now is provide forums for discussion and resources for its members. That's not being plucky. That's doing what an association is supposed to do.

Here's one from someone who gets it.

Industry Quickly Moves To Defensive Strategies
pwilliams Oct 10, 2008 9:42 AM

The news is bad, and then it gets worse. Oil and natural gas commodity prices are in freefall. Energy stocks have given back all their tremendous gains of the past year and more.

Companies with loans due are scrambling to refinance or extend deadlines. Operators are choking back capital expenditures to preserve liquidity. Deals are being cancelled. Credit lines are being tapped while they are still available, and the cash held tightly.

Defense is the game. The industry is digging trenches and laying in rations. We’ve been through this before, but the speed and severity of this crash is stunning. And this time, it’s not just the oil and gas industry that’s affected. The collapse is broad and deep.

We’re bracing for more shocks. Keep your head down and your helmet on.

–by Peggy Williams, Senior Exploration Editor, Oil and Gas Investor

pwilliams@hartenergy.com

I joined IABC for a year then dropped it. The organization is clearly more concerned about milking money from its members than providing valuable resources. I think your article is a perfect example of that.

Michael:

Gosh, Julie, I'm so happy to know that IABC is doing so well. Facing a new Great Depression, we all need to hear your cheery news this morning.

Perhaps if you just pretend that the economic catastrophe doesn't exist, as the golf-crazy CEO of that unfortunate company, Bear Stearns, pretended the mortgage meltdown wasn't happening, it will just go away.

Doggone it, IABC's Communication World should do a two-parter, Part I, "Julie Freeman shuts her eyes real tight and hopes that the awful economic mess will just go away," and Part II, "Julie Freeman shows you how to do association public relations in the midst of a depression."

Bill Sweetland

"Smart and plucky" vanished for a moment, because I had to correct a typo. I forgot to put "far" between "So" and "IABC" in the final paragraph. Anonymous caught this post mid-edit, I think.

For the record, I don't think there's anything wrong with being too plucky.

Wait, what happened to reference to IABC president Julie Freeman as "smart and plucky"? Are you now saying Freeman isn't plucky? SHE IS TOO PLUCKY!