Coalition Petitions FCC for Six-Month Stay of Fax Regulations


The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) joined the Fax Ban Coalition, a group of nearly 600 concerned associations and businesses, in petitioning the Federal Communications Commission for an additional six-month stay of new regulations governing commercial fax transmissions.

The coalition’s Petition for Extension of Stay would extend the effective date of the FCC’s proposed fax rules through June 30, 2005, allowing adequate time for Congress to consider legislation reinstating the “established business relationship” provision critical for faxing by associations and other legitimate businesses. This provision, which had been in effect for 10 years, was repealed by the FCC in its regulations issued last summer altering the treatment of faxes under the 1991 Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
 
Without corrective legislation or an extension of the existing stay, the FCC’s new rules would go into effect January 1, 2005. Under the FCC’s new rules, associations and businesses would have to obtain prior written consent before they could legally send any “commercial” fax to any individual or place of business – a prospect ASAE and others have called a severe hindrance on basic communication and commerce and an unnecessary expense and administrative burden on associations and businesses.

Momentum has built quickly on Capitol Hill for corrective legislation restoring the “established business relationship” exemption for faxes, with the House passing a bill (H.R. 4600) July 20 and the Senate Commerce Committee approving S. 2603 on July 22. But there will be very little time remaining in this legislative session when Congress returns to work after Labor Day, and election-year politics may further complicate the legislative agenda.

“The Commission can avert [a] waste of resources by extending the stay it previously issued…for an additional six months,” the coalition said in its Petition for Extension of Stay. “The Commission should note the actions taken by Congress to date, and give the Senate the time it needs to complete the process....Once the state of the law is clear, the business community can plan accordingly.”

Find Out More About The Center for Association Leadership

What is The Center for Association Leadership?

Effective July 2004, an historic merger brought together ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership. Within these merged organizations, the new Center for Association Leadership is now the provider of learning and research for ASAE both nationally and internationally. 

The Center for Association Leadership is the primary learning and knowledge source for the association community and is the provider of learning and research for ASAE both nationally and internationally.  It provides education programs and events; future-focused and strategic research (formerly provided by the ASAE Foundation); knowledge resources for associations and their professionals; learning communities; and a means to identify and showcase new ideas, thought-leaders, and knowledge relevant to association management and leadership. 

The Center’s many initiatives provide a framework for fostering positive change in the association community.  The Center is built on three pillars:

• Learning:  Discover dozens of learning events designed to help organizations of all sizes meet the needs of association professionals and business partners at every stage of their careers.  
• Knowledge: Benefit from thousands of relevant and easily accessible resources available on The Center’s Web site, www.centeronline.org. 
• Community: Become part of a community of people committed to moving the profession forward by engaging in a learning community or participating in other community initiatives offered by The Center.

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The Fall Education Calendar Is Here—Check Out What We Have in Store for You!

The Center for Association Leadership's fall events calendar is full of opportunities for you to experience the true power of shared knowledge.  

Look for these signature learning opportunities:

• New Great Ideas Conference
  December 5-7, 2004-Orlando, FL
  February 13-15, 2005- Phoenix, AZ
• Conference on Health, Wealth and Happiness
  February 2005-Washington, DC
• Springtime - The Premier Association Industry Expo
  May 26, 2005- Washington, DC
• Invitational Forum on leadership & Management
  June 9-10, 2005- Montreal, Quebec, Canada

CEO and Elected Leadership Governance Learning Opportunities:

• CEO Symposia
• Exceptional Governance: Strengthening the Leadership Team

Exciting Opportunities in Online Learning:

• The School of Association Management Online
• Essentials of the Profession
• CEO Dialogue Online
• "How to" Audio and Web Sessions

The Center's education calendar also features a variety of symposia and seminars, opportunities for women, opportunities for next generation leaders, technology solutions series, and CAE preparation opportunities. Visit www.centeronline.org for our full calendar with dates and registration information. 

The DC Association Law Symposium is right around the corner, have YOU signed up?
The DC Association Law Symposium is the don't-miss symposium for association in-house and outside legal counsel. It's the best way to gain the practical knowledge you need to stay at the top of your profession.

• Hear about the latest court decisions
• Learn about the latest trends in association law
• Network with your peers

September 28, 2004, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Capital Hilton, Washington, DC
Nonmember Price: $395
Member Price: $295

Visit http://www.centeronline.org/programs/program.cfm?ProgramID=1500, and register today!

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CAE Exam Changes Coming—Find This and Other Exciting Stories on the ASAE Minneapolis Blog!

Certified Association Executives (CAEs) attending the "First Look at the New CAE Job Analysis" during ASAE's Annual Meeting learned first hand about the recently conducted job analysis that looked at the role of the association executive.
The new CAE content outline will expand the content domains from the current 5 to 10 . Additions to the new domains address areas of importance in our jobs, including technology, strategic management, and globalization. The May 2005 CAE exam will include the new test specifications.

Michael Gallery, outgoing chair of the CAE Commission, encouraged an extensive question-and-answer session where attendees provided comments, questions, and feedback.

Whether you've made the trip to Minneapolis or not, be sure to follow the conference on The Blog: ASAE Minneapolis 2004. The blog is presented by Executive Update and Association Management magazines and is sponsored by Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau and gomembers.

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ASAE Career Headquarters – Make Your Next Professional Step Today

Realize your professional potential in association management through www.careerhq.org—the best source of association jobs and resumes. Advertise your resume free of charge to hundreds of association employers and search CareerHQ.org’s targeted job database for the position that’s right for you. CareerHQ.org offers career development services, including job coaching, resume writing, and a career knowledge database. Numerous services are free, including resume review, interviewing guidelines, and a behavioral style analysis. You’ll also find helpful tips and resources to assist in your job hunt.

Click on the newest positions available for a sample of what you’ll find at www.careerHQ.org:

Registrar/AA
American Council of Engineering Companies–Washington, DC

Meetings/Tradeshow Assistant
The Center for Association Growth–Glenview, IL

Grants Administration Manager
United Nations Foundation–Washington, DC

Director of Professional Development
Georgia Association of REALTORS®–Atlanta, GA

Education Specialist
Professional Convention Management Association–Chicago, IL

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Question of the Week–Benefits
What types of benefits should human resources departments consider offering?

Benefits That Add Balance
http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,,ETI15959,00.html

The Emerging Battle for Work-Life Benefits
http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,,ETI16481,00.html

Employee Retention: What's New in Benefits?
http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,,ETI14559,00.html

Hip Benefits
http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,,ETI11990,00.html

Popular Employee Benefits to Consider
http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,,ETI14560,00.html

Have a question?  Contact Information & CEO Central at 202-626-2742 or by e-mail at infocentral@asaenet.org.

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Association Quick Fact – Test Your Knowledge!

As association executives, it is important to be educated on the association industry as a whole.  To help you achieve that goal, ASAE will offer a weekly “Association Quick Fact” in the ASAE Weekly Bulletin.  Pass these facts along to your peers, staff, and members–so that they, too, can be empowered with knowledge about the exciting world of the association industry.

DID YOU KNOW...
Associations employ 260,000 people full time and another 35,000 part time.

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Does your organization engage in e-marketing?
Find out how MagnetMail, the ASAE-sponsored e-Marketing Program that powers the ASAE Weekly, can help you achieve record-breaking results. Call MagnetMail at 877-488-2666, or visit us on the Web at www.realmagnet.com/commpartners. To request additional information complete our online form.