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To Give or Not To Give? The Answer To The Question

By Kim Bedier, CFE

"What does the IAAM Foundation do and why do we keep asking you for money?"

Let's pretend that Alex Trebek has set up for a run of "Jeopardy" in your facility and that it is good form to answer a question in the form of more questions:

• Did you or any of your staff attend the Academy for Venue Safety & Security?
• Have you or any of your staff attended the Public Assembly Facility Management School at Oglebay? The Senior Executive Symposium?
• Have you met, been assisted by or hired one of the many student interns who have volunteered at the Annual Conference & Trade Show?
• Have you purchased one of the aforementioned "Public Assembly Facility Management: Principles & Practices" textbooks (hot off the press in Reno) or do you know a student currently enrolled at one of several recognized educational institutions using the textbook?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, you are already familiar with what the IAAM Foundation does and have in fact been directly touched by its financial support of the public assembly management profession.

• Foundation dollars directly supported the establishment of the Academy for Venue Safety & Security, PAFMS at Oglebay and the Senior Executive Symposium.
• Sixteen student interns received scholarships from the Foundation in 2004, enabling them to attend the Annual Conference & Trade Show in Reno, NV. Students volunteered in various capacities and networked extensively with conference attendees.
• The development of "Public Assembly Facility Management: Principles & Practices" was directly funded by the Foundation through the Body of Knowledge Committee.

There is no question that the IAAM Foundation exists to foster professional development, education and research for venue managers. The Foundation has consistently answered the call to assist in providing cutting edge programs and resource materials Ð to the tune of over 1.6 million dollars in grants over the course of the Foundation's existence.

Another question: where does this money come from? Dollars have been generously donated by industry corporations, who under-stand the importance of supporting the future of our profession. Last year a very successful corporate giving program allowed the Foundation to complete its financial obligations to the textbook project and to support venue security and safety organizational activities.
 

Peggy Daidakis of the IAAM Foundation (back row, middle) joins members of the Body of Knowledge Task Force in unveiling the new textbook in Reno.

This year requests are already in for more worthwhile projects. The Foundation has determined that in order to continue to fulfill expensive requests, new funding sources must be found. A much broader donor base must be established. In the coming months Foundation Trustees will be developing their own grant requests and approaching non-industry entities and foundations. Tough questions will be asked: why should we grant you dollars for your programs? Do your association members need/ want them? Do they demonstrate their support of your activities through their own donations?

We must be able to answer that last question with a resounding YES. Many individual IAAM members have generously supported the Foundation through the course of several annual giving cam-paigns and thank you to those of you who have done so.

However, the only way we can successfully generate "new" dollars from outside sources is with a noticeable INCREASE in member donations. IAAM President Jimmy Earl kicked off this effort during his inaugural speech in Reno Ð by setting the goal of 100 percent participation by all members. His Board of Directors has already reached into their pockets and purses for 100 percent commitment at the Board level. This spirit of giving now must permeate all IAAM committees and eventually include all IAAM members. Several of our starving student members have even made donations Ð it is not the amount, it is the intention and the belief in the future of our industry that counts.

You are asked to add your name to the growing list of IAAM Foundation contributors. By sending in your donation, you make an investment in your professional future and the future of the indus-try as a whole. We make it easy for you Ð you can donate online at www. iaam. org -or even more simply, at the next IAAM event that you or your staff attend.

There is no question: a donation to the IAAM Foundation is the answer!

Kim Bedier, CFE, is general manager of the Everett Events Center in Everett, Washington. She may be contacted at kbedier@ everetteventscenter.com. 

© 2004 International Association of Assembly Managers
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