Posted on
January 13, 2011 by
admin
January, 2011
Hey everyone!
Now that the holidays have come and gone, and we have entered into the new year – let me share with you some things that the Executive Board have been, or will be, working on for CAL-EDA in the coming year.
We are excited about the possible addition of two new board members, and that should be finalized in the next couple of weeks. We are still looking for board members from the Central Region – so if that is something that interests you, please shoot me an email. It is very little work, and the pay is great – so if you are interested in helping to continue to move CAL-EDA forward – let me know.
The big thing in 2011 – is, of course, budgets – or lack thereof. It seems like with every passing day we hear more about furloughs, pay freezes, budget cuts and layoffs. While this is a very difficult time in the world, it does unfortunately carry over to the world of public safety – and dispatchers in particular.
Having said that – we are currently working on a survey to send to members, and management alike, to see what it is we can do differently, or better – to serve you in 2011. We had 6 classes slated for 2010, and had to cut some of them due to a lack of attendance. So we will be trying to work smarter in 2011, not harder. We are trying to come up with just a couple of classes – again stuff people haven’t seen before, to try to get the excitement going again. For anyone in the business more than 5 years, you know its the same classes, year after year – maybe with different titles or different teachers, but it’s the same general stuff. We want to change that.
In terms of the networking opportunities – we pulled off a couple really successful events in 2010. The Price is Right trip was amazing, with a great turnout – and one of our members, Rachel Delkener, made it up onto contestants row! That was pretty awesome to watch. We had a pretty fun turnout in Sacramento for our bowling tournament – and was attended by a lot of people who all had a great time. And of course, the fun continues in about a week as 40 or so Dispatchers and friends from around the state will be on the First Annual CAL-EDA Cruise! If you missed the boat (pun intended) – don’t worry, because plans are already in the works for the SECOND Annual CAL-EDA Cruise! Keep an eye on the website for more information soon.
Speaking of events – I want to thank the board who have dedicated their time and energy into organizing and running these great events. But, these events do take time, and they do take money! We try to plan stuff that will be fun for the most amount of people – but we need to also not lose money on events we hold. So, it’s important if you say you are going to show up to an event – to do everything you can to get there. The last thing EVERYONE on this board wants to do is cancel – anything. But, we can’t lose money on events if people don’t attend. If there is something you would like to see specifically, or held in a specific area, let your regional director know. Regional Directors will be making contact more with members, and non-members alike, a bit more in 2011. This is your association, and we want to make it work the best for you.
We have talked a lot about the 2011 Training Conference – but we need to again think like a business and plan ahead as best we can. Everyone will be getting a survey in the next few weeks, asking about things like membership, classes, networking events, and the training conference. We need you to be as open and honest in your answers to the questions as possible, as your answers will dictate the direction we go 2011. We absolutely want to have the Training Conference – and are dedicated to make it happen – but we can’t lose money on the event and want to make it as accessible to as many people as possible. Watch for more details soon!
So, on behalf of the board – and along with the rest of the world, we are having to rethink the way the Association does things as it enters 2011. Budgets are pretty much non-existent. So, we have to try to plan things that members may want to attend, on their own time, and on their own dime. We are working very hard to that end.
Please, if you have any ideas or suggestions for classes, or networking events, or any way to better improve the way the Association works – please let us know. This is YOUR Association – and we want to do everything we can to make it more accessible to each of you.
Thanks for your time and commitment to the job!
Kurt Anderson
CAL-EDA
President
