How can IFAJ help new members?

by Mike Wilson

There was more to the 2009 Congress than just cowboys and cold beer. We are moving ahead with exciting plans that promise new opportunities for our members worldwide. 

We held successful meetings of the Executive Committee and Delegate Assembly, where we welcomed Rabobank as a new IFAJ sponsor and Kenya and Slovenia as new IFAJ members. I'm looking forward to getting to know members from those countries.  

With new members comes a challenge: How can we add value to their professional lives? Will our member benefits – networking at Congresses, holding a press card, participating in contests – have the same value for these new members as they do for the rest of us? 

The focus of IFAJ today is our members and how relevant IFAJ is to their needs. This is a steady challenge, but it is one we are meeting. We have about 30 countries in IFAJ, and new ones applying for membership each year.  

While growth is good when it’s done for the right reasons, I believe there is much more we can do for our profession worldwide. The key is to learn what we can do for members, whether they live in Kenya, Canada, or other countries in between. As we learn about our new members, I am confident they can teach us ways our organization can become more relevant for all of us. 

In Texas we held meetings with our colleagues from Argentina to discuss the possibility of holding a Congress there in 2013. Holding our first Congress in South America would be another milestone for IFAJ. 

Meanwhile our friends in Belgium are getting ready to hold the 2010 Congress, which will be April 17-21 in Ostend. Registration is now open at their website, www.ifaj2010.org. This promises to be an excellent Congress in the heart of Europe, hosted by one of IFAJ's founding countries.  

Because of the early date of this congress, contest and award deadlines will be moved up. For example, Star Prize contests (photo, writing and broadcast)  will now close on February 1, 2010.  For details on how you can enter you should contact your local national guild. 

Our good friend and colleague Liz Harfull is stepping down from her post as newsletter editor at the end of the year. We have been so lucky to have Liz handling the newsletter, that I just want to say thank you to her on behalf of IFAJ for her many years of service. She will continue to serve IFAJ as the executive representing Australia.  

I hope to see you at our next Congress!

Contact: mwilson(at)farmprogress.com