Institute for Supply Management Takes One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
I'll probably be banned from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) for speaking my mind, but I'm not one to be shy...
First, in my opinion, ISM took one huge step forward with the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification in terms of adding some additional credibility to the certification by requiring a degree (although, I do believe there should be an interim certification like the old A.P.P. that doesn't require a degree).
So, kudos to ISM on the CPSM. But, after getting the proxy from ISM for the Board of Director appointments and the bylaw changes, I believe ISM is taking two steps back. The first step back is allowing folks to be appointed as a director who don't have at least an A.P.P. certification. If you haven't been in the profession long enough to qualify for a CPSM or you haven't taken the time to get the certification, you don't belong on the board. The second step back is the bylaw amendment allowing "persons who are primarily engaged in sales activity" to be ISM members. Huh, what!? Despite the eloquent explanation in the Membership Vote Information brochure as to why the bylaw amendment is good for ISM and ISM members, I think allowing sales folks to be members dilutes ISM as a professional trade association for supply management professionals. If ISM needs the dues revenue so badly, propose a membership increase or think about additional fee-for-services programs to cover revenue shortfalls.
Anyway, I voted accordingly...
Sorry, Candidate #1, your qualifications are great but you need to get your ISM certification first and it would be nice if you had some history of involvement with ISM (maybe you do have certification and prior ISM involvement—in which case I apologize—but your bio in the proxy brochure didn't mention either).
Welcome, Candidate #2, to the ISM Board of Directors, and congratulations on having your C.P.M. and for being involved with ISM for years.
Oh yeah, and "no" on the bylaw amendment—I don't want to be in my local ISM chapter meeting discussing negotiation tactics while I'm sitting next to a bunch of sales folks. No offense, I love you sales folks, but I really doubt you'll let me in to your meetings to hear your "secrets."
I encourage all ISM members to not blow off the proxy and vote your position.
First, in my opinion, ISM took one huge step forward with the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification in terms of adding some additional credibility to the certification by requiring a degree (although, I do believe there should be an interim certification like the old A.P.P. that doesn't require a degree).
So, kudos to ISM on the CPSM. But, after getting the proxy from ISM for the Board of Director appointments and the bylaw changes, I believe ISM is taking two steps back. The first step back is allowing folks to be appointed as a director who don't have at least an A.P.P. certification. If you haven't been in the profession long enough to qualify for a CPSM or you haven't taken the time to get the certification, you don't belong on the board. The second step back is the bylaw amendment allowing "persons who are primarily engaged in sales activity" to be ISM members. Huh, what!? Despite the eloquent explanation in the Membership Vote Information brochure as to why the bylaw amendment is good for ISM and ISM members, I think allowing sales folks to be members dilutes ISM as a professional trade association for supply management professionals. If ISM needs the dues revenue so badly, propose a membership increase or think about additional fee-for-services programs to cover revenue shortfalls.
Anyway, I voted accordingly...
Sorry, Candidate #1, your qualifications are great but you need to get your ISM certification first and it would be nice if you had some history of involvement with ISM (maybe you do have certification and prior ISM involvement—in which case I apologize—but your bio in the proxy brochure didn't mention either).
Welcome, Candidate #2, to the ISM Board of Directors, and congratulations on having your C.P.M. and for being involved with ISM for years.
Oh yeah, and "no" on the bylaw amendment—I don't want to be in my local ISM chapter meeting discussing negotiation tactics while I'm sitting next to a bunch of sales folks. No offense, I love you sales folks, but I really doubt you'll let me in to your meetings to hear your "secrets."
I encourage all ISM members to not blow off the proxy and vote your position.
Posted by Stephen Guth at 12/10/2009 8:20 AM 
Categories: Rantings
Tags: Certification ISM Institute for Supply Management
Categories: Rantings
Tags: Certification ISM Institute for Supply Management
Stephen,
First, will your (or anyone else's) vote matter on the director election? If I recall correctly, members only have the chance to vote for or to abstain from voting. There is no vote "against" a director and I never recall the proxies resulting in a non-appointment of a proposed director for ISM.
Second, a dues increase for existing members is likely to result in less revenue, not more in my opinion. Memberships are easy to cut in recessionary times and a price increase can only serve to awaken purse string holders who are looking for costs to cut. It is a tough time for membership organizations like ISM, chambers of commerce, etc.
Glad to see you posting more often these days!
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Hi Charles,
Thanks for the clarification! So much for my idealistic, patriotic position and thinking my vote would actually mean something. It's unfortunate that ISM is moving in the direction of allowing sales folks to be members. It also makes me question the future value of their certification. Oh well, I guess the best way for me to vote in the future with ISM is not with the ballot they send me but with my dues.
Take care,
Stephen
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