The Wisconsin Electronic Security Association (WIESA) is the latest state to take part in ESA’s Youth Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 1996, the association and its affiliated Chartered Chapters have awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to students whose parents are police and fire officials.

“Pursuing a degree in today’s colleges is stressful enough.  College is becoming more and more difficult to afford – add to that the worry of tuition, books, housing and related expenses.  Scholarships are not merely financial aids; they also serve as opportunities for students to reach more than they aspire for.  It is the goal of WIESA to help offset some of that stress for two of Wisconsin’s hard working high school seniors,” said Maureen Mecham, WIESA scholarship coordinator.

According to Mecham, WIESA is participating in the Youth Scholarship Program simply because the chapter believes it important to give back to the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis in service to the community.

“We would like to say ‘Thank You’ by recognizing the academic and community achievements of two of their children through the WIESA Youth Scholarship program,” she said.

WEISA will award a $750 scholarship to a deserving son or daughter of both a police office and firefighter. One will be chosen to compete at the national level for an opportunity to win a $7,500 or $2,500 scholarship.

If your state is interested in taking part in this program, visit www.alarm.org/pubsafety/ysp or contact Jason Smith, ESA communications specialist, at (888) 447-1689 ext. 231.

A record 200 plus industry leaders, chapter leaders, business owners and managers descended upon Fort Worth, Texas last week to take part in the annual ESA Leadership Summit.

It was a productive event that was packed with high-level association meetings, training seminars and social and networking events that left no one out of the fun. A full recap of all the exciting developments at this year’s event is provided below. Photos, presentations and documents from the event can also be downloaded by visiting the event recap pages online.

Many thanks to the Executive Strategic Partners who stepped up to sponsor individual events.  GE Security was the corporate sponsor, Honeywell sponsored the Leadership Awards dinner, ADI sponsored the networking lunch, Altronix sponsored the Chapter Appreciation Reception, and Security America Risk Retention Group and Diebold sponsored the Leadership Breakfast.

Board approves an ex-officio seat for Young Security Professionals

Recognizing the importance of Young Security Professionals (YSP) in the future of ESA, the board approved a motion to include the chairman of the YSPs as an ex-officio member.  Currently, Trevor McEnany serves as the YSP chair and will represent YSP in this position.

New format for next year’s Leadership Summit announced

At the State Leadership Breakfast on Wednesday morning, John Galante of AE Ventures presented the new format of the 2011 Leadership Summit.  The summit will be comprised of two parts:  a two-day hosted event followed by two days of the traditional Leadership Summit format.

The hosted event will be headed by AE Ventures. Integrator members of the ESA board of directors, executive committee, committee chairs and senior executives from the top-dollar volume members of ESA will be eligible for hosting benefits which include air fare, ground transportation in the host city, food and beverage and lodging. In recognition of these benefits, guests agree to attend all general sessions, boardroom presentations and one-on-one meetings with vendor sponsors. Vendors choosing boardroom sponsorships will have appointment times with senior decision makers from industry-leading companies. Sponsorship opportunities for social functions and general sessions are also available.

The second half of the event will feature two days of the valuable association meetings, social functions and topical seminars that all ESA members have come to appreciate and enjoy.

Leadership awards

ESA honored several outstanding individuals and states for their dedication to the electronic security industry during the 2010 Leadership Summit.

Instructor of the Year

Don Childers won this year’s Instructor of the Year award because of his tireless work on behalf of NTS.  He developed courses, got them approved by the necessary regulatory agencies, scheduled and promoted a statewide and year-long training program, all while never accepting any compensation for the hours of planning and instructing he personally conducted on behalf of his state and NTS. All of these accomplishments were done in a spirit of honest and humble service to the association and its members. Dom D’Ascoli, ESA Vice President/President-Elect, accepted the award on Don’s behalf.

State Training Coordinator of the Year

Because of his commitment to the training activities of his Chartered Chapter, John Yusza from Connecticut was awarded State Training Coordinator of the Year. His work developing the training program and coordination the state certified instructors, as well as taking on the responsibility of submitting NTS course materials to Connecticut for approval as an alternative to the State’s Apprenticeship Training Curriculum to submit earned him the honor. Accepting the award on John’s behalf were state Education Committee Chairman Joel Kent and Connecticut 1st Vice President Jason Sokol.

Chapter Newsletter of the Year

InSecurity, published by the Arizona Alarm Association won the Chapter Newsletter of the Year award for its effectiveness as a member communications service, well-written articles that convey helpful information and strong support of ESA activities, consistent distribution, and quality layout and design.

Maria Malice, president of the Arizona Alarm Association, accepted the award.

Executive Director of the Year

Gwen Clavelle from the Louisiana Life Safety and Security Association exhibited the characteristics necessary to win:  she clarifies the vision of the chapter and puts that vision into action, she solidifies the relationship between their chapter and the national association and is a leader within the security industry, her community and her personal spheres of influence. LLSSA President Mary Ferguson accepted the award on her behalf.

President of the Year

Because of her hard work and the ability to lead people from different backgrounds and the initiative she takes to get things done, Maria Malice was honored with the President of the Year award.  She was a driving force in doubling the chapter membership, hiring a lobbyist to work on state-wide licensing issues and making the chapter newsletter a leading newsletter among chapter newsletters.

Chapter of the Year

The chapter of the year award was bestowed on the Arizona Alarm Association because of its dedication to the betterment of, and unwavering loyalty to, the industry. Other criteria were effectiveness of meetings, engagement in industry issues at local, state and national levels, vision and results demonstrated by volunteer leadership and/or paid staff, effectiveness and quality of products and services provided to members, its communications, public relations, and government relations, its training and the networking opportunities it presents.

The first ever Young Security Professionals Executive Forum held in Aurora, IL on August 19 – 20, 2009 was a huge success with 30 attendees including sponsors, mentors and YSPs. Tuesday night prior to the event, Ed Bonifas and his wife, Carmi, hosted a dinner in their airplane hangar. On Wednesday morning, the forum opened with a statement from event host and mentor, Ed Bonifas of Alarm Detection Systems. After the opening remarks, the group was treated to a tour of the Alarm Detection Systems campus before returning to the training center.

Throughout the remainder of the day, and half of the next, attendees shared and soaked up advice and best practices from mentors Ed Bonifas, Mel Mahler of ADS Security, Nashville, TN, and industry veteran Bud Wulforst, on the topics of “Effectively Managing Change,” “Implementing and Selling New Products,” and “Controlling Attrition.” Attendees not only benefited from the wisdom and expertise of their mentors but also learned from one another’s experiences during the discussions.

We want to thank the companies that so generously stepped up to sponsor this event: ADLG, Tri-Ed, Secure-I, Kleinbard, Bell & Brecker and our Executive Strategic Partners, GE Security, Honeywell, Altronix, ADI and Security America RRG. Without their support, this event couldn’t have taken place.

Thank you to our Executive Forum sponsors:

North America’s largest independent distributor of security, low voltage and home automation products, Tri-Ed offers a huge inventory spanning Access Control, Intrusion, CCTV, Fire, Structured Cabling and Sound & Communications. Tri-Ed also offers superior customer service, same day shipping, flexible credit terms, online ordering, customer appreciation events, purchasing rewards, technical systems support, and ongoing product training. For more information, please call 1-888-874-3336 or visit www.tri-ed.com.

SDM is the complete magazine of the electronic security industry. 28,500 professionals – whose companies buy/install security products – turn to the SDM family of publications each month for features on market trends, management solutions, news affecting the security industry, and unparalleled technological expertise. From what’s available in new products and services, to new and better ways of designing, installing, servicing and troubleshooting systems, SDM is the preferred industry resource. For more information, go to www.sdmmag.com.

Secure-i, Inc. was created specifically to address the emerging demand for hosted security services. The company’s first offering, in partnership with Axis Communications, is an on-demand video surveillance service. The IT and security professionals who comprise Secure-i, Inc. bring decades of combined experience in networking, system design, and digital voice, data, and video recording. Secure-i, Inc. is a woman-owned company based in Chicago with offices in both Illinois and New Jersey. Visit www.secure-i.com for more information.

Kleinbard Bell & Brecker LLP is a boutique commercial law firm active in the telecommunications, electronic security and life safety industries. Eric Pritchard co-chairs the firm’s Electronic Security Group. Eric’s practice is national in scope and focuses on mergers and acquisitions, day-to-day business advice and guidance and complex commercial and tort litigation. Eric serves as counsel to numerous industry trade associations and is a frequent lecturer at industry events. Contact Eric Pritchard at epritchard@kleinbard.com.

The Alarm Debt Liquidation Group specializes in the collection of overdue accounts receivable for the alarm industry. The Alarm Debt Liquidation Group uses the most effective method of recovery for defaulted alarm monitoring contracts in the industry today because their collection agents have extensive knowledge of alarm contracts and the legal resources to settle an acount.

Thanks also to our Executive Strategic Partners.

Mark your calendar and start making plans to attend these exciting NBFAA events in 2010.

YSP Executive Forum
August 19 – 20, 2009
Aurora, IL
Young Security Professionals will gather in Aurora, IL (right outside Chicago) to share with, and learn from, other Young Security Professionals how best to weather the storm in a worrisome economy. A day and a half of business solutions and operational insights covered through best practice sharing in a non-competitive, open and enjoyable atmosphere. This event is full.

NBFAA Leadership Summit: Shaping the Future
Jan 12 – 15, 2010
Fort Worth, TX
The annual Leadership Summit will once again be held in Texas. This year, the venue will move to historic downtown Fort Worth. A cultural town that is proud of its cowboy heritage, Fort Worth has something to offer everyone looking for a real taste of Texas lifestyle.

AIREF Golf Classic
March 23
Las Vegas, NV
You know you love it – the annual AIREF Golf Classic in Las Vegas. Make sure you’re there to take part in a day of world class golfing with your industry colleagues and golf without guilt – because you’ll be supporting a great cause!

NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill
April 27 – 28
Washington, D.C.
The premiere lobbying event of the industry, Day on Capitol Hill offers NBFAA members an opportunity to sit down with their elected officials and lobby for programs and initiatives to benefit the electronic security industry.

Looking forward: 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference
June 14 – 18
Pittsburgh, PA

The NBFAA Summer Conference is where association leaders help shape the future of NBFAA and work to improve the business environment for the security industry. You can make a difference – join us for the 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference.

Electronic Security Expo (ESX) – Where Leaders are Made
June 14 – 18
Electronic Security Expo experienced its second year of success and the excitement continues to build. Be sure to register early for 2010 ESX – Where Leaders are Made. Book your hotel rooms in advance to ensure discounted, convenient accommodations.

NBFAA is pleased to announce that Tri-Ed, SDM, Secure-I, and Kleinbard Bell & Brecker LLP have committed to sponsoring the NBFAA Young Security Professionals (YSP) Executive Forum scheduled for August 19 – 20 in Aurora, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Also sponsoring the event are NBFAA’s Executive Strategic Partners: Diamond-level GE Security, Platinum-level Honeywell, and Silver-level partners ADI, Altronix and Security America Risk Retention Group.

The Executive Forum will include a day and a half of business solutions and operational insights covered through best practice sharing in a non-competitive and open atmosphere. Young executives, ages 25 – 45, will have the opportunity to talk with, and learn from, other YSPs how best to weather the storm in a worrisome economy. The forum will be hosted by Alarm Detection Systems headquartered in Aurora.

North America’s largest independent distributor of security, low voltage and home automation products, Tri-Ed offers a huge inventory spanning Access Control, Intrusion, CCTV, Fire, Structured Cabling and Sound & Communications. Tri-Ed also offers superior customer service, same day shipping, flexible credit terms, online ordering, customer appreciation events, purchasing rewards, technical systems support, and ongoing product training. For more information, please call 1-888-874-3336 or visit www.tri-ed.com.

SDM is the complete magazine of the electronic security industry. 28,500 professionals – whose companies buy/install security products – turn to the SDM family of publications each month for features on market trends, management solutions, news affecting the security industry, and unparalleled technological expertise. From what’s available in new products and services, to new and better ways of designing, installing, servicing and troubleshooting systems, SDM is the preferred industry resource. For more information, go to www.sdmmag.com.

Secure-i, Inc. was created specifically to address the emerging demand for hosted security services. The company’s first offering, in partnership with Axis Communications, is an on-demand video surveillance service. The IT and security professionals who comprise Secure-i, Inc. bring decades of combined experience in networking, system design, and digital voice, data, and video recording. Secure-i, Inc. is a woman-owned company based in Chicago with offices in both Illinois and New Jersey. Visit www.secure-i.com for more information.

Kleinbard Bell & Brecker LLP is a boutique commercial law firm active in the telecommunications, electronic security and life safety industries. Eric Pritchard co-chairs the firm’s Electronic Security Group. Eric’s practice is national in scope and focuses on mergers and acquisitions, day-to-day business advice and guidance and complex commercial and tort litigation. Eric serves as counsel to numerous industry trade associations and is a frequent lecturer at industry events. Contact Eric Pritchard at epritchard@kleinbard.com.

The Alarm Debt Liquidation Group specializes in the collection of overdue accounts receivable for the alarm industry. The Alarm Debt Liquidation Group uses the most effective method of recovery for defaulted alarm monitoring contracts in the industry today because their collection agents have extensive knowledge of alarm contracts and the legal resources to settle an acount.

Thanks also to our Executive Strategic Partners.

Mark your calendar and start making plans to attend these exciting NBFAA events in 2010.

YSP Executive Forum
August 19 – 20, 2009
Aurora, IL
Young Security Professionals will gather in Aurora, IL (right outside Chicago) to share with, and learn from, other Young Security Professionals how best to weather the storm in a worrisome economy. A day and a half of business solutions and operational insights covered through best practice sharing in a non-competitive, open and enjoyable atmosphere. This event is full.

NBFAA Leadership Summit
Jan 12 – 15, 2010
Fort Worth, TX
The annual Leadership Summit will once again be held in Texas. This year, the venue will move to historic downtown Fort Worth. A cultural town that is proud of its cowboy heritage, Fort Worth has something to offer everyone looking for a real taste of Texas lifestyle.

AIREF Golf Classic
March 23
Las Vegas, NV
You know you love it – the annual AIREF Golf Classic in Las Vegas. Make sure you’re there to take part in a day of world class golfing with your industry colleagues.

NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill
April 27 – 28
Washington, D.C.
The premiere lobbying event of the industry, Day on Capitol Hill offers NBFAA members an opportunity to sit down with their elected officials and lobby for programs and initiatives to benefit the electronic security industry.

Looking forward: 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference and Electronic Security Expo
June 14 – 18
Pittsburgh, PA
2010 ESX Promo Video

The NBFAA Summer Conference is where association leaders help shape the future of NBFAA and work to improve the business environment for the security industry. You can make a difference – join us for the 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference.

Electronic Security Expo experienced its second year of success and the excitement continues to build. Be sure to register early for 2010 ESX – Where Leaders are Made. Book your hotel rooms in advance to ensure discounted, convenient accommodations.

NBFAA is pleased to announce that Tri-Ed, SDM and Secure-i, along with NBFAA Executive Strategic Partners, GE Security, Honeywell, ADI, Altronix and Security America Risk Retention Group, have committed to sponsoring the NBFAA Young Security Professionals (YSP) Executive Forum scheduled for August 19 – 20 in Aurora, IL, a suburb of Chicago.

The sold out Executive Forum will include a day and a half of business solutions and operational insights covered through best practice sharing in a non-competitive and open atmosphere. Young executives, ages 25 – 45, will have the opportunity to talk with, and learn from, other YSPs as well as mentors Mel Mahler of ADS Security and Ed Bonifas of Alarm Detection Systems how best to weather the storm in a worrisome economy. The forum will be hosted by Alarm Detection Systems headquartered in Aurora.

YSP sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Tonja Jenkins, Associate Executive Director, at tonjaj@alarm.org or call her at (888) 447-1689.

Children of police officers and firefighters from Ohio, New Jersey, California and South Dakota were awarded $21,000 in scholarships by through the Youth Scholarship Program. Since its inception, the Youth Scholarship Program has awarded more than $290,000 in scholarships.

Michael Stainbrook of Toledo, Ohio was the overall winner of the contest and received a $10,000 scholarship for his outstanding essay and scholastic achievements. A standout senior at St. John’s Jesuit High School, Michael has dedicated himself to his academic career. His leadership efforts in school clubs and church functions combined with his volunteer community service activities showed Michael’s deep sense of civic duty that was most certainly handed down by his father Steven, a firefighter with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Division.

In his essay Michael wrote, “In a world of economic and moral volatility, having a constant role model is a true blessing. Storms may rock the region in multiple forms, but I firmly believe that no calamity could defeat my father’s levelheadedness and wisdom. The same is true of Toledo: when hope appears to be vanishing, I am comforted in the knowledge that my father is protecting the most vulnerable citizens in the community. Dad is a truly dependable man, and his guardianship has greatly benefitted all with whom he has worked.”

Brooke Schneider of Colonia, NJ was awarded second place and received a $7,500 scholarship. An active senior at Bishop George Ahr High School, Brooke is the co-editor-in-chief for the school newspaper and vice president of the Christian Social Action Club. She has served as student council vice president, sophomore class president and student ambassador.

Brooke’s father, William, is an officer with the Woodbridge Township Police Department. In her essay, Brooke wrote of her father, “He has always taught my brothers and me to be loyal, honest, hardworking, obedient, grateful, brave and independent – character strengths that he grew to adopt during his career as a police officer and that he consistently demonstrates through his words and actions. My dad’s strength of character, which he developed throughout his career serving the public as a police officer has inspired me for years and has shaped me into the young woman I am today.”

Alexis Arnold of Claremont, CA and a senior at Claremont High School was the third place winner and received a $2,500 scholarship. Her high school career is highlighted with numerous awards and honors. She’s the winner of the 2005 Renaissance Award, 2006 Rotary Youth Community Excellence Award, 2006 LA Opera Contest, 2008 Heart of the Hand Award, 2008 Rotary Youth Leadership Award and 2008 AP Scholar Award with Distinction.

Her father, Spencer, is a sergeant with the Newport Beach Police Department. In her essay Alexis wrote, “I know where my dad’s priorities stand – in providing a safe environment not only for his precinct, but also for his personal precinct, otherwise known as home. And because of this balance my dad has been able to find, I am proud to see him wear that silver badge of outright courage.”

In addition to the national scholarships, each of the state winners receives a scholarship from their state association. Students who reside in states without a chartered NBFAA chapter or in a state with non-participating state association submit their applications directly to the NBFAA and from them one is chosen to compete against the state winners as the national nominee. The national nominee is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to honor that individual’s achievement. This year’s national nominee was Lindsey Heitkamp, a senior at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Currently, a dozen chapters participate in the national program. These states conduct local and state programs and their top student competes for the national NBFAA scholarships. The state programs generally award $1,000 or more to their winners. This year, students across the nation were awarded more than $45,000 in scholarships.

Congratulations to our State Youth Scholarship Winners

Ohio Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Michael Stainbrook, Toledo, OH
1st place winner in national competition ($10,000)

New Jersey Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,500) – Brooke Schneider, Colonia, NJ
2nd place winner in national competition ($7,500)

2nd Place ($1,000) – Leah Berry, Eatontown, NJ

California Alarm Association
1st Place Southern California and Overall State Winner ($2,500) – Alexis Arnold, Claremont, CA
3rd place winner in national competition ($2,500)

1st Place Northern California ($2,000) – Molly Doherty, Novato, CA
2nd Place Southern California ($750) – Katherine Amano, West Hills, CA
2nd Place Northern California ($750) – Gabrielle Gamez, Morgan Hill, CA

Connecticut Alarm & Systems Integrators Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Elyse Stewart, Pawcatuck, CT
2nd Place ($500) – Justine Falcone, Somers, CT

Georgia Electronic Life Safety & Systems Association
1st Place ($1,500) – David Westerfield, Hephzibah, GA

Indiana Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place Fire and Overall State Winner ($1,000) – Sara Yelich, Carbon, IN
1st Place Police ($1,000) – James Roush, West Lafayette, IN

Kentucky Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Oakley Watkins, Frankfort, KY

Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Chelsea Beghaud, Lafayette, LA
2nd Place ($500) – Kristine Brouwer, Lutcher, LA

North Carolina Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Spencer Bakalar, Greenville, NC
2nd Place ($500) – Madison Owens, Greenville, NC

Tennessee Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Kayla Jordan, Ripley, TN
2nd Place ($500) – Haley Rye, Cumberland City, TN

Virginia Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,500) – Antonio Hayward, Chesapeake, VA
2nd Place ($500) – Zachary Truman, Franklin County, VA

Washington Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place Fire and Overall State Winner ($2,500) – Rebecca Anderson, Lake Forest Park, WA
1st Place Police ($2,000) – Brian Emmett, Bellingham, WA

The Redwood Alarm Association (RAA), a regional chapter of the California Alarm Association (CAA) presented a check to Molly Doherty for taking second place in the state competition.

Doherty was presented with a check for $2,000 by CAA President Matt Westphall, RAA Secretary Sherri Cape, RAA Vice President Ron Kent, RAA President Chuck Petrusha and CAA Northern Vice President Jon Hopper.

Doherty was joined by her father Joe and her grandparents at the presentation.

This year, NBFAA and its chartered chapters awarded more than $45,000 in scholarships through the Youth Scholarship Program.

The winners will be announced in Newsline at ESX and the national winner will be presented a check for $10,000 from NBFAA during the Weinstock/Jackson Awards Ceremony and Reception on Tuesday, June 23.

We recently conducted a survey that found that electronic life safety and security professionals between the ages of 25 and 45 overwhelmingly believe that NBFAA is important to their businesses and that active participation in the association is important.

Catering directly to the needs of these professionals, we have founded a group called Young Security Professionals (YSP). The group offers education, mentoring, community and support to engage and cultivate young security professionals to be the next generation of industry and association leaders. The founding YSP Council members consisting of 10 Generation X company owners and principals met for the first time during NBFAA’s Leadership Summit in January.

To encourage industry-wide participation, we are planning two, free events specifically for young security professionals at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX), taking place in Baltimore, Md., June 22 – 26, 2009.

YSP Council Chair Trevor McEnaney said, “This group will produce intelligent and capable leaders who will help the industry greatly; it is an investment in the younger generation with guaranteed returns at the local, state and national level. Our predecessors have given us a wealth of knowledge and experience and we’re taking that information and moving forward with it. As someone once told me, ‘the heavy lifting has already been done, and you can benefit from it, and give back, by taking it to the next level and passing along what you have learned.’”

On Tuesday, June 23, a Young Security Professionals Launch Party will be held at the Hilton Baltimore Hotel. The reception will provide an invaluable opportunity for these folks to meet their peers and network in a fun, casual atmosphere with NBFAA leaders and its Chartered Chapters.

On Thursday, June 25, the YSP Educational Forum will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center. The two-hour forum will feature subject matter experts on business planning and succession and new revenue streams through new technologies. The sessions will be a combination of presentations and Q&A sessions.

“Getting involved now will offer an invaluable experience for up and coming industry professionals to work closely with the current industry leaders and mentors,” said Kerry Egan, YSP Council Vice Chair. “We have identified this to be the best way to prepare and develop future industry leaders and believe that our group will be a huge success.”

These two history-making events are being sponsored by GE Security, Honeywell Security, AIN Group, AXIS Communications, Brivo, Security Partners, DMP, MicroKey, Optex, Tri-Ed and Potter/Amseco. Companies interested in sponsorship can contact Tonja Jenkins at (888) 447-1689 ext. 206 or tonjaj@alarm.org.

NBFAA has established a networking and education group called the Young Security Professionals. It’s a network that offers education, mentoring, community and support to engage and cultivate young security professionals to be our next generation of leaders.

If you are a security professional between the ages of 25 and 45 (inclusive) and are a principal of a company, or in line to become a principal of a company, that designs, sells, installs and/or monitors electronic life safety, security and/or integrated systems, please complete the following survey (designed to take less than five minutes).

Take the survey by clicking on the link below:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2hbi2×7fs53cb3k/start

This glossary is provided to help you familiarize yourself with the links on the new Member Update. Please take a moment to learn about the increased functionality and capabilities of Member Update.

RSS Feeds – Stands for Really Simple Syndication and is a notification that goes to your email to tell you that something of interest has been posted. When you are on a favorite blog site or forum, you can sign up to receive notifications when someone has responded to your comment or when someone has posted information on a topic that is of interest to you.

Blog – A contraction of the term “Web log” and is a Web site that allows an individual to write their thoughts, descriptions of events or post material such as graphics or videos. Some blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject while others function as personal diaries or journals.

Facebook/MySpace – Social networking Web sites. These Web sites allow others to network, meet new people and share personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music and videos.

Flickr – An online photo management Web site where people can upload their photos and share them with anyone.

LinkedIn – A business-oriented social networking site where users can interact on a more formal, business-to-business platform. LinkedIn can help people find new jobs,
employers find employees or find someone who can help with a specific job need.

Social Networking – A broad term for a way to meet people online. In the past, communication tended to be one-way with one person typing an email and another responding. Now, there can be many people communicating and interacting online at once. This interaction allows users to share their ideas, business contacts or resources with thousands of others and get their feedback.

Tag Cloud – A collection of words that describe the content of a Web site. The importance of a particular tag, or word, is denoted by using color or a different font size. Tags typically link to Web site content containing information specific to the word.

Twitter – A free social networking service. The difference between Twitter and other social networking sites is that Twitter communication can only be 140 characters long. The users send “updates” or “tweets” to the Twitter Web site via text message from a cell phone, instant messaging from a computer, or a third-party application such as Twitterrific.

YouTube – A video-sharing Web site where users can upload, view and share video clips.