Backchannel: ACPA & NASPA Consolidation Webinar

I was one of those who could not participate live in the webinar. Fortunately, I was able to see the Presentation Slides and then read through the Twitter Backchannel. Here are some of my responses.

Tweets That Caught My Eye

  • KevinRGuidry: Hah! I love how ACPA keeps hammering the “everyone gets a vote.” Small dig at NASPA who won’t let students vote? #NASPACPA
  • ValerieHeruska: 17,400 members combined members, 7,634 conference attendees, 33 staff members, 6.5 mil budget, net assets 7.2 mil #NASPACPA
  • clconzen: Professional Association is so much more than conferences, though, although for some its their only real experience #naspacpa
  • danbureau: #NASPACPA ppl will connect as they need – so I think state and regional meetings will still happen – that is how some make big assoc. small
  • clconzen: With the continued growth of social media networking & access to webinars, I think the needs for annual conference will change #naspacpa
  • cindykane: I agree w/ need for critical mass on regional level…I think it will improve regional opportunities! #naspacpa
  • KevinRGuidry: Make sure all of these documents, including comments, eventually make it to Bowling Green. These are important historical docs. #NASPACPA
  • freerangekarma: Wow! 68% said yes, consolidation is in the best interest of the profession! #naspacpa
  • ValerieHeruska: framework for new association: Institutional Delegate, pro, stdnt, affiliate, transition, emeritus, all except 4 affil can vote #NASPACPA
  • PKirchmeier: Glad to see that ‘Communities of Practice’ will help with Commission/Knowledge Community transition. #NASPACPA
  • ericstoller: Communities of practice list…could we get one for technology/communications? #naspacpa
  • DEBTAUB: We will need to say good-bye to things that will not be included in new association. #NASPACPA
  • ericstoller:About Campus and Leadership Exchange should be merged into a new blog-based publishing platform. RSS, comments, media = awesome. #naspacpa

Response to Webinar/Consolidation Discussion

Lots of very serious issues to resolve, but I don’t see anything that should stand in the way of consolidation. Both groups absolutely must continue to evolve to survive, and consolidation is the perfect opportunity to make some very big changes and take some risks. We could be on the verge of greatness! OK, that sounds a little over the top when I read it back to myself, but I have really high hopes for the uber-organization.

I’m also very interested to see where technology and communications fit into the new organization.

Kevin, I’m with you. Egads! Those slides are awful! Not only the color contrast, but the sheer volume of information per slide.

Response to Backchannel

I’ve followed the back channel for several events in the past, but this was my first real effort to do so after the fact. It was fascinating! The backchannel itself is almost like the whispered chatter that goes on during presentations. The transparency is great and I hope that a) the ACPA/NASPA leaders read this; and b) that we can encourage others to participate in future events. Even if you don’t have a Twitter account you can follow through the wthashtag.com … and I’m going to encourage my less-geeky colleagues to do so.

Wisdom – #reverb10

reverb10Today’s Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

I decided in mid-November to re-engage with my colleagues in student affairs at other institutions, via Twitter and this blog. These associations had previously been strong, but had been subsumed by other work priorities. My renewed commitment has already paid off. I feel energized, inspired, and connected once again.