POMA 2005 Year in Review

Officer's Report
Betty Lou Fegely, Chairman/President

As POMA enters its thirteenth month of existence, it’s time to take stock of where we are and determine goals for the new year, perhaps for years to come. I believe the Interim Board of Directors accomplished the initial tasks outlined: determining the need for a professional media association dedicated to the shooting, hunting, fishing and trapping industries; setting up the structure; and initiating the beginning of a viable, professional organization. During the start-up period, we also hit some bumps in the road and experienced growing pains, which we continue to battle.

A steering committee, to determine the need for a new media organization, was elected in January 2005 by media members attending the SHOT Show and SCI Convention. The steering committee became the Interim POMA Board of Directors.

Interim Board Members: Betty Lou Fegely, Jim Casada, Bryce Towsley, John E. Phillips, J. Wayne Fears, Pat McHugh, Tom Gresham, Laurie Lee Dovey, Jim Zumbo and Tony Mandile.

POMA's first board election was held in April 2005. Barb Baird, Andy Lightbody, Judd Cooney, Stephanie Mallory, Chris Chaffin, Steve Scott and Vickie Gardner were elected. Interim Board members, Betty Lou Fegely, J. Wayne Fears and John E. Phillips will remain on the board for one more year to ensure a seamless transition in POMA's governance.

Starting from scratch required a lot of time and energy. I’m absolutely amazed at what’s been accomplished by one, paid, part-time contractor and member volunteers. But, there was much left undone and many ideas not yet explored. The biggest problem the organization faced, which was also a personal disappointment, was the inability to develop a functional committee system.

Well into the first year, we realized the use of committees to complete large projects wouldn't work for POMA. Due to the nature of our member's professions, most are confronted with the daily tasks of running their own businesses. Little time or energy is left to volunteer work time to further POMA projects. On the other hand, POMA members have high expectations regarding membership services and benefits. Therein lies POMA's Catch 22. POMA members want high-end, creative membership services, but don't have the time to help POMA investigate, develop and implement those services.

As a result, management and the board are looking at alternative methods of accomplishing our membership service goals. The first step was hiring a second part-time contractor to handle administrative responsibilities, while Laurie Lee Dovey focuses on membership services and marketing.

We're also investigating if POMA has properly identified member needs. To accomplish this assessment, the interim and incoming board members need to hear from you.

• What do you need most from your membership?
• How important is an annual conference?
• Are quarterly, printable, electronic membership directories sufficient?
• Is health or business insurance a primary concern?

• What kind of business discounts would you find meaningful?

Let us hear from you. POMA can be everything you imagine it should be if we communicate, investigate, brain storm and plan together. So, I'm asking each of you to participate in POMA's first annual membership survey. Fill out the online questionnaire. The Board will use your responses to instigate discussion and focus on your needs -- not on what the directors might perceive to be your needs.

Go to: www.professionaloutdoormedia.org/06survey.htm

Remember, POMA is your organization, so stay involved.

I hope to see you next month at POMA’s 1st Annual Business Conference at Springfield, Missouri. Almost one third of POMA's members already are registered. Please, don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to come together.

At anytime, should you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to contact me directly at blfegely@professionaloutdoormedia.org

I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore, Toto!
Laurie Lee Dovey, Executive Director

POMA is so much already.
POMA can be so much more.

Saying the past year has been a whirlwind is a gross understatement. POMA's launch has been a tornado of ideas, projects, friends coming together, accomplishments, challenges, successes, and yes, some disappointments.

Unlike Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz who just wanted to return to the comfort and familiarity of home. This wonderful new place we call POMA is an exciting new place. It's as bright and gleaming as the Emerald City, and like OZ is full of the magic that comes from creativity, belief in an idea, collective thinking and shared goals, and the entrepreneurial spirit.

On its first birthday, June 19, 2006, POMA boasted over 360 members, including approximately 240 media members and 125 Corporate Partners. Most are amazed by POMA's growth and success. Others feel POMA could be bigger.

Honestly, POMA isn't for everyone, but it is the perfect fit for many. Every month media and industry professional seek membership while others have been, and still are hesitate to join. They want to watch a little longer, and that's fine.

Those watching POMA have enjoyed quite a show. The organization has broken the mold in regard to benefits, services and a forward-thinking approach.

Expecting a one-year-old organization to raise the bar set by groups 30, 50 or 70 years was probably crazy, but POMA-ites seem to ask, "Let's do it," rather than say, "It can't be done."

Did we bite off more than we could chew from time to time? You bet we did. We reached for more. We jumped outside the box.

In most instances, POMA was able to shine. Sometimes, however, we staggered. Regardless, we learned valuable lessons and we continue to move forward.

We'll use the lessons of the past as the foundation for the future, with eyes sharply focused on continuing to improve customer service and enhance membership benefits.

Cheers,
LLD

Media Membership Breakdown

243 Media Members

33% Cornerstone
30% Charter
85% Voting
9% Associate
4.5% Heritage/Honorary

Journalistic Involvement of media members - staff or freelance.

56% Magazine
31% Newspaper
25% Authored a recently-published book
21% Photography
19% TV
9% Radio

Corporate Partners

40% Cornerstone
24% Charter

Accomplishments

Organization Launch
Governing Document Development
High-Level Member Communication & Interaction
Business Discounts Package
Money Line
Trade Tips
Tech Talk
Tele-Seminars
Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Quarterly Directories
200-plus-page Web Site, Public and Member-Only
Logo Design
Membership Growth
1st Business Conference
POMA<35
One Year Anniversary
POMA/NSSF Grits Gresham Communicator of the Year Award
First Media Group to Join NSSF, ATA and ASA
Budgeting & Finances
Building Strong Releationships Outside the Industry

Challenges

Implementing an effective committee system
Meeting deadlines for communications and delivery of services
Updating the Web site often enough
Capturing members outside of the shooting sports realm
Providing the highest possible level of customer service

Board Meeting & Membership Meeting Scheduled

The Interim Board of Directors will hold the summer board meeting on Thursday, August 24, at the Holiday Inn North, Springfield, Missouri from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In addition to finalizing details on a wide range of POMA business, the newly elected board members will be seated during the meeting. POMA members are encouraged to attend and observe all board meetings.

The Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 25, 2006 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. All members are urged to attend.

Future Conference Sites

Members were asked to suggest possible future conference sites, and you did. Bid packages were sent to numerous cities/regions.

The board will vote on the locations for the 2007 & the 2008 conference sites at it meeting on August 24.

Aberdeen, SD
Duluth, MN
Paris Landing, TN
Mississippi (State)
Tunica, MS
Cape Fear, NC
Columbia, SC
Devil's Lake, ND
Erie, PA
Gunnison-Crested Butte, CO
Hot Springs, AR
Maryland (State)

Minnesota (State)
North Minneapolis, MN
Niagara, NY
Pierre, SD
Rogers, AR
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio, TX
SW Louisiana
Laurel Highlands (Western), PA
Mahnomen, WI

Have a location preference?
Let the board know. Send an e-mail.

Springfield Conference Stats

POMA members have blown the doors off of the 1st Annual Business Conference. When planning the someday-to-be-historic event, the Conference Committee felt that 80 to 90 attendees would have been a great turn out. We've come close to doubling those numbers.

To date:

• 146 people are registered, including
• 52 media members,
• 42 corporate partner reps from 33 companies/organizations,
• several guests and prospective members.

Have you registered?
If not, what are you waiting for?

• The headquarters hotel only has a few rooms left. The overflow hotel is the Krystalaire, just across the street.

• Registration fees go up by $50 per person on August 4.

Go to the conference Web site for complete details: Online registration and payment, Field Day info, hotel contact information, sessions descriptions and much more.