Friday, July 29, 2005

Association News

Executive Perspective:  Association Introduces NBFAA Staff Members
With change come opportunities and challenges.  With the relocation of the NBFAA headquarters to Texas, I would like to introduce our current NBFAA staff and provide a high-level view of the association functions for which each will be responsible.

Members Benefit with New Toll-free Contact Number for NBFAA Headquarters
Members will benefit immediately from the relocation to Texas with the addition of a new toll free way to contact the association. The new office can be reached by calling toll free at 888-447-1689.

Check out the Latest Information Online for NBFAA Fall Conference and CSA Symposium
Register online today for this year’s Fall Conference and start spreading the news! Don’t forget about the early bird special! Register for the conference before July 29 and the cost is only $185.

Author and Leadership Coach Cynthia D’Amour to present at CSA Symposium
Chapter leaders will benefit from listening to guest speaker Cynthia D'Amour, author of “Go Team Go! Strategies for Leading Today's Teams to Victory.” D'Amour will address the topic of “How to Turn "I Don't Have Time!" Into "I Can't Wait to Volunteer!" as part of the CSA Symposium.

Members Cautioned Regarding VoIP Customer Communications
You own a security company and you want your customers to understand the risks of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. After all, the VoIP technology that allows your customers to make telephone calls via the broadband Internet instead of using a traditional landline telephone does carry risks.

Final Reminder for Demo Derby
Just a quick reminder to reserve your seat now for the first ever Demo Derby on Wednesday, August 3, 2005! This Web event will introduce you to the world of online learning, and is brought to you by The Security Industry Association (SIA), NBFAA and The CMOOR Group.

Upcoming NTS Courses
Check out the listing of upcoming NTS courses to see what is coming to your area in the next few weeks. For more information on a course, contact NTS at 866-636-1687 or by e-mail at nts@alarm.org.

Member News

ADT'S New Anti-theft Alarm Tools Provide Chain-wide Data Integration
National member company ADT Security Services Inc., a part of Tyco Fire & Security, recently introduced two new anti-theft alarm data tools designed for retailers with multiple locations.

Bosch Updates G Series Control Panels with New Safeguards
Associate member company, Bosch Security Systems, a full-line manufacturer of high-quality security systems and components, has upgraded its G Series Control Panels with a set of new features that increase personal safety for specialized applications such as banks and other high security facilities.

Industry News

President Bush Signs Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005
New act recently signed into law has an impact on Chartered State Associations, and NBFAA members.

In The News

Just a Click Away from the Most Recent Online News Featuring NBFAA

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Association News

Executive Perspective: Association Introduces NBFAA Staff Members

By Merlin Guilbeau
NBFAA Executive Director

With the relocation of the NBFAA headquarters to Texas, I would like to introduce our current NBFAA staff and provide a high-level view of the association functions for which each will be responsible.

We are very excited about the team we have put together in Texas - and have every confidence that they will provide the excellent service and support our members deserve. In alphabetical order by position title they are:

Administrative Assistant, Kathy Acosta
Responsibilities: providing administrative assistance to the NBFAA staff by answering incoming telephone calls, providing ‘front line' customer service to all callers and directing calls to other staff as appropriate. Contact: KathyA@alarm.org Ext. 201

Communications Coordinator, Jessica Garcia
Responsibilities: writing, editing and coordinating production of the various communication vehicles (Press releases, marketing materials, Newsline , Member Update , News Flashes, Web Site Content, etc…). Contact: JessicaG@alarm.org Ext. 208

Director of Chapter Relations, Membership & Events, Jorge Rivas
Responsibilities: working to develop more involved, mutually beneficial and proactive relationships with the chapters, as well as overseeing membership, events and member benefit programs/affinity programs. His role in chapter relations is a new role at NBFAA. Contact: JorgeR@alarm.org Ext. 207

Director of Communications, Public Relations & Marketing, Georgia Calaway
Responsibilities: managing and administering communication programs and public relations activities, including oversight of member communications, media relations, the Web site, marketing communications and the strategic and tactical communications planning for the association. Contact: GeorgiaC@alarm.org Ext. 210

Executive Administrative Assistant, Terri Jones
Responsibilities: providing administrative support to both the Executive Director and Senior Director of Business Development while performing day-to-day human resource responsibilities and managing information technology and facility issues. Contact: TerriJ@alarm.org Ext. 204

Finance Manager, Gary Schlette
Responsibilities : performing all aspects of accounting and managing and reporting all matters that are financial in nature (i.e. accounts payable, accounts receivable, budget analysis, cash flow forecasting, financial statements, etc...). Contact: GaryS@alarm.org Ext. 202

Graphics and Web Specialist, Paul Tozier
Responsibilities : developing graphics required for internal and external communication programs and providing overall visual consistency for all production jobs, graphic design support to all departments including PowerPoint presentations and Web site design and maintenance. Contact: PaulT@alarm.org Ext. 211

Manager of Membership and Events, Kandice Carlson
Responsibilities: managing inquiries regarding membership, membership recruitment and retention for all members (except Associates, and National Companies), responsible for planning NBFAA meetings and events including the Spring and Fall conferences and the AIREF/NBFAA Golf Tournament and managing the member benefit programs/affinity programs. Contact: KandiceC@alarm.org Ext. 205

Senior Director of Business Development, Tonja Jenkins
Responsibilities: overseeing membership, events, communications, member benefits and chapter relations, handling the recruitment of associate member companies and national company members, advertising and sponsorship sales, assisting the Executive Director with the management and marketing of the NBFAA risk retention group – Security America. Contact: TonjaJ@alarm.org Ext. 206

In addition to these staff members, the following individuals will continue in their outsourced roles with NBFAA:

Director of Education and Standards: Dale Eller
Education and Standards Manager: Ann Dowdy
Government Lobbyist: John Chwat

I am confident that you will enjoy working with each of these individuals and that you will be impressed with the caliber of their level of professionalism.

I remain the Executive Director responsible for overseeing all of the above. I can be reached at MerlinG@alarm.org Ext. 203

Members Benefit with New Toll-free Contact Number for NBFAA Headquarters

Members will benefit immediately from the relocation to Texas with the addition of a new toll free way to contact the association.

• Office Address: 2300 Valley View Lane, Suite 230 , Irving , Texas 75062
• Toll Free Number: 888-447-1689 .
• For those in the local area: 214-260-5970 .
• The new fax number: 214-260-5979.

Check out the Latest Information Online for NBFAA Fall Conference and CSA Symposium

Register online today for this year's Fall Conference and start spreading the news! Don't forget about the early bird special! Register for the conference before the close of business today and the cost is only $185.

Conference Package Includes:

• All NBFAA Committee & Board Meetings
• NBFAA Awards Luncheon (8/22)
• NBFAA Breakfast (8/23)
• NBFAA & CSA Symposium (8/23)
• President's Reception (8/23)
• Insurance Seminar (8/24)
• Free Admission to ISC East Expo (8/24 & 8/25)
• Industry Summit and Breakfast (8/24)
• Complimentary Pass to ADI's Reception – First 75 Registrants Only! (8/24)
• ISC Educational Conference Discount – 20% OFF

For additional information or questions contact Kandice Carlson at 888-447-1689 ext. 205. Register online today. Go to www.alarm.org and click on the conference logo.

Author/Leadership Coach Cynthia D’Amour to present at CSA Symposium

Chapter leaders will benefit from listening to guest speaker Cynthia D'Amour, author of “Go Team Go! Strategies for Leading Today's Teams to Victory.” D'Amour will address the topic of “How to Turn "I Don't Have Time!" Into "I Can't Wait to Volunteer!" as part of the CSA Symposium.

D'Amour will discuss ways to motivate members of an association to get involved, build leadership teams, and how to use strategies to match the demands of today's new volunteers. As a leadership coach, growth strategist and president of People Power Unlimited, D'Amour has served more than 40 total years on volunteer boards and recruited more than 250 people. She knows first hand the key issues that association leaders face every day in trying to get members involved .

D'Amour was named one of the 2000 Notable American Women for her work with associations and was listed in the 2000 edition of “Who's Who in Business and Professional Women.” In 1998, the Michigan Junior Chamber of Commerce named her Outstanding Young Michigander.  

The NBFAA Fall Conference and CSA Symposium will be held in conjunction with the International Security Conference (ISC) East, on Aug. 22-25. Registration and information about this year's Fall conference is available online at www.alarm.org.

T his year's NBFAA conference will include presentations on media relations and insurance protection, as well as the NBFAA CSA Symposium, which is designed to help state leaders and members operate with greater success. Registration for the conference includes the NBFAA Awards Luncheon, the Industry Breakfast, NBFAA committee meetings, the NBFAA Reception and free admission to ISC East.

Members Cautioned Regarding VoIP Customer Communications

You own a security company and you want your customers to understand the risks of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. After all, the VoIP technology that allows your customers to make telephone calls via the broadband Internet instead of using a traditional landline telephone does carry risks.

There have been many problems associated with the use of VoIP. The problems reported include: difficulty of certain alarm transmission formats to pass through the VoIP network, issues with wiring and the electrical connection of the RJ-31X jack, and backup power issues. Additional problems are the inconveniences that occur when “out of service” periods are needed for device and network updates leaving a number of people not only without their phone, but also without their security alarm.

So you send a note to your customers, only to get a nasty letter from the lawyers at the VoIP company. Why? Because the language you used went a little too far or was a little too blunt. Being a member of the NBFAA can be a real benefit in this situation. Because the association has studied the issue, there is information online about VoIP, including a position paper and a sample customer letter. Using the sample letter as a guideline will help keep your customer correspondence out of hot water.

VoIP is most likely here to stay in some form. Industry predictions claim there will be two million VoIP customers by the end of 2005, and eight million by the end of 2008.

So it is important that you talk to your customers about the potential risks. You can inform your existing monitored subscribers about the issues, test the compatibility of the alarm and phone system, meet with your local cable provider, and carefully monitor the new technology. But before you send that letter to your customer, check out the sample from NBFAA at www.alarm.org. Go to the Information Center and look under Government Affairs.

Final Reminder for Demo Derby

Just a quick reminder to reserve your seat now for the first-ever Demo Derby on Wednesday, August 3, 2005! This Web event will introduce you to the world of online learning, and is brought to you by The Security Industry Association (SIA), NBFAA and The CMOOR Group.

For more information, go to www.alarm.org and scroll to the bottom of the page to link to the Demo Derby connection.

Upcoming NTS Courses

Check out the listing of upcoming NTS courses to see what is coming to your area in the next few weeks. For more information on a course, contact NTS at 866-636-1687 or by e-mail at nts@alarm.org.

Complete course schedules for 2005 are also available in the Professional Development section at www.alarm.org . These schedules are updated regularly, so be sure to check back often.

And remember - NTS training is also available online! Alarm Technician (Level 1) and Fire Alarm Installation Methods (FAIM) are available now – with Advanced Burglar Alarm Technician (ABAT) coming later this year!

Certified Alarm Technician
July 29-31-Tulsa, OK

Practical Electronics (Level 2)
July 29-31-Tulsa, OK

Fire Alarm Installation Methods
July 29-31 – Knoxville , TN

Life Safety Code
July 29-31 – Knoxville , TN

Member News

ADT'S New Anti-theft Alarm Tools Provide Chain-wide Data Integration

ADT Security Services Inc., a part of Tyco Fire & Security, recently introduced two new anti-theft alarm data tools designed for retailers with multiple locations. Sensormatic® SmartEAS® Ultra•Scanner Deactivator and Known-Loss Logging software provide retailers with quicker and more efficient alarm data collection and integration, helping reduce cost and theft chain-wide.

ADT's new handheld Ultra•Scanner Deactivator features wireless alarm management capabilities that make the capture of alarm data more efficient. The Ultra•Scanner Deactivator also provides anti-theft tag detection, deactivation and scanning in one unit and can be used anywhere in the store including at the exits. Store employees can approach customers and efficiently log anti-theft alarm data, which can be used to analyze store and chain-wide alarm patterns and trends.

Bosch Updates G Series Control Panels with New Safeguards

Bosch Security Systems, a full-line manufacturer of high-quality security systems and components, has upgraded its G Series Control Panels with a set of new features that increase personal safety for specialized applications such as banks and other high security facilities. The new features include a two-person disarm, providing greater security with two people required to disarm the system, and early ambush, requiring redundant confirmation that a facility is safe by entering an access code at first entry and again after an inspection.

The G Series Panels include three models – D7212GV2, D7412GV2 and D9412GV2 – to meet the needs of applications of varying sizes. The updated panels are scaleable, easier to use and give the user greater control and flexibility. Users may now modify the access status for as many as eight areas of a facility from one keypad with a single command, eliminating the need to key multiple commands to access each area.

Additional new features include the “Easy Exit” feature, which allows users to change the arming state of the system without first disarming. This means users may change system status from perimeter arming to complete protection with just one command. The access control token now allows the user to easily arm, disarm, or bypass points simply by presenting their token.

The G Series panels are available from Bosch Certified Security Dealers, located throughout the United States .

For more information on the G Series Control Panel solutions, please visit www.boschsecurity.us or call 800-289-0096.

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President Bush Signs Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005

President George W. Bush signed S. 714, the “Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005,” into law on July 9, 2005 amending the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of 1992. This law allows an organization to send unsolicited commercial faxes to their members and clients if the organization has an “established business relationship” (EBR) with the recipient.

The Junk Fax Act will have an impact on NBFAA members for the following reason:

Originally, the TCPA restricted individuals, businesses and organizations from faxing unsolicited advertisements, but now allows for two exceptions: (1) if the fax recipient previously gave consent to receive a fax and (2) the EBR exception.

In June 2005, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it would stop recognizing an EBR exception to its do-not-fax rules after January 9, 2006. However, until the FCC sorts out the rules of the old and new law, the EBR is sufficient enough.

Though the requirements for the EBR exception are not set in stone by the FCC, here is what you need to know: The EBR must be legitimate and established by voluntary two-way communication between the sender and the recipient. Recipients also obtain the right to end an EBR at any time by asking the sender to stop sending faxes.

Additionally, the act requires that all unsolicited commercial faxes include an opt-out provision on the first page of the fax. This provides a cost-free, 24-hour way the recipient can use to request removal from the fax distribution list. It also requires that fax numbers be obtained either directly from the recipient or from a public source to which the recipient gave the number for publication (i.e., a Web site, advertisement or directory); and "grandfathers" in fax numbers in the possession of the sender at the time of enactment.

So remember to include an opt-out provision on any faxes you send to current and prospective customers. For NBFAA Chartered State Associations the same rules apply to current and prospective members.