FEMA News

June 2007

FEMA Update

FEMA website directory launched and other items.

I am very pleased to announce that, after much hard work and many glitches, the FEMA website is now back up and running. It is as current as the latest resource guide. This update has taken longer than anticipated but it was done as a generous donation of time and expertise by one of our FEMA members. Once you log on, you will agree I'm sure, that it was worth the wait, looks great and will be a valuable tool. Many thanks to Rob Selenis of Pixelcom! Rob is still working on making the information editable by members themselves to keep it as current as possible and less work for any one person.
About ten years ago, FEMA started as a networking organization and has grown to well over 100 members. The mandate of FEMA has always been to continue to develop the industry through networking and marketing, to encourage video and film productions in the London area and to market our services to local corporate and business clients.
It was my personal and professional mandate to develop this networking organization and to never give up. I knew that if this organization didn't make it, it would be a very long time for another to try again and we would be missing a great potential. Although many people agreed, no one else was willing to take it on. I think that FEMA has proven that it can be done and it should be done. No other local group in our industry has stuck together with such a large membership for so long. This has been such a challenge. It has come with some great successes and great... non successes.
It's been a great deal of hard work, hundreds of volunteer hours and balancing it with building my own business and I'm very proud of our accomplishments. FEMA's resource guides are in the hands of over a thousand local businesses and will hopefully put more work into the hands of the members inside it. There was however, a great deal more I wanted to do. But FEMA now needs a fresh face, new energy and a different voice.
As indicated in the last FEMA update, it is my intention to no longer administer FEMA. Although this was announced several months ago, only a couple of people were interested in this position. One prevailed and shortly before the transition was to take place, was offered a full-time and full-energy position and could not do both.
I am once again requesting one of the existing FEMA members who truly has a vision for the industry and its members... or one of those who has made it known over the years that they felt that FEMA was not being administered properly, to step up to the plate. Too much hard work and inroads have been made to let it fade as so many other good initiatives do for lack of involvement. London is known for its apathy and its closed doors but it just shouldn't be so, not in an industry that relies on networking, on sub-contractors on independents and on creative marketing. It's always easier to sit back and criticize, to look back and say what should've been done differently; but I wanted to make a difference and I gave it a shot. I'd hate to think I'm the only one willing to do that. It's time for someone else to roll up their sleeves.
FEMA is the recognized association from here to Toronto. We still receive membership requests from outside the area, a sign that FEMA can be expanded and strengthened. It is an important economic and cultural initiative. It simply must be sustained. It should be guided by a professional, informed and motivated person with time and commitment. There is a great amount of research and information that can be passed on and there are funds in the bank to do so. There are a couple of hundred copies of the guide held back in case a new administration has different thoughts or uses for them.
If any FEMA members have clients, networks, organizations or businesses they feel could benefit from some of the remaining guide, please let me know and I'll drop copies to you for you to pass on.
Although I have been sending updates by email, because of the spam filters, many are not getting through. It would be helpful if you adjust your emails to avoid mail costs. Return emails letting me know you've done this will assist the next administrator. In the meantime, check the FEMA website for updates or if you want to post news or information.
Please advise me by email or phone if you are interested in taking over the continuing administration of FEMA. I also welcome any further or alterative suggestions.

Thank you,
Wendy Nesseth

 

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June 2007 | FEMA Update