CONNECTIVITY and the MISSING ELEMENT
This Week, I was approached by a group of exhibitors asking, “Just what is it that needs to be changed about CFA, and what money-saving ideas that are being suggested should be implemented?” There is no short list of financial fixes that will ensure CFA’s long term survival. Cut out the Almanac, register Household pets, open competition to a dozen AOVs, permanently cancel or keep the International, cut or keep the NY show, help finance CFA shows, increase fees, lower fees, “obtain” (beg?) Corporate sponsorship for CFA shows, on and on the list goes. Everyone has a favorite idea or two. Successful business trouble-shooters do not solve problems with a patchwork of fixes. It isn’t a contest of who will come up with the best idea. It is the adoption, by the Board, of the principles of total business analysis, plan development, and implementation. Therefore, YOU must give additional weight to formal business education, long-term success in managing serious financial problems, and dealing with human resource issues in deciding who will serve on the Board during the next few financially critical years. CFA is in serious financial trouble. Draconian cuts have been announced and others are being considered. CFA financial reporting, or the semblance thereof, is more indicative of a juggling act than an accounting of the flow of funds. The members of our Executive Board are industrious with talents and experience well balanced to address the unique needs of our Association --- with one crucial missing element --- the employment of disciplined business measures common to all successful organizations. This missing element has lead to shortfalls in accountability, a lack of comprehensive reporting, the absence of a well developed business plan, and a lack of guidelines (such as Robert’s Rules) for the disciplined conduct and efficiency of concluding business during meetings. This vacancy in the makeup of our Board’s human assets must be filled so that an effective plan of revitalization can be developed and implemented. It is no surprise that CFA has not been able to adjust to a changing environment and is facing an uncertain future. And it is no surprise that CFA is in financial crisis. No business can escape the reality of connectivity. Every aspect of the success or failure of every organization is inter-connected. All CFA’s problems are connected. All solutions must be connected. If the flaws listed above are not considered major problems, if we ignore the elephant in the Living Room, CFA will not survive this decade. I promise you that if it is approved by the Board, I will put a team together of three highly qualified Board members, or others with extensive experience in business analysis that are actively involved in CFA, to produce and present a business plan in plenty of time for consideration at the October Board Meeting. The team must have access to all CFA records, computer programs, data, finances, contracts, etc. All the team members will sign documents insuring complete confidentiality to protect CFA and the report and presentation will be made in a professional manner. The cost to CFA will be confined to secretarial and data collecting expenses and a minimum of related expenses. Team members will receive no compensation and their expenses will be held to a minimum. This project will begin in June, preliminary studies will be in the hands of the Board members by mid-September, a formal presentation will be made to the Board in October, --- and if accepted --- the plan will be implemented in stages during the next few months. By the February 2008 Board meeting, the plan will have produced measurable results. You are the members that can vote this idea IN or OUT by casting your choice for the candidates that you believe WILL embraced this program to secure CFA’s future.
Your credentials and your plan, however, seem to go beyond just an emergency measure to facilitate survival of CFA but also gives indications for making CFA prosper!! GOOD LUCK! (Comment this)