111 replies to this topic

[Jill]

I just received the latest member communication from SEMPO, and I'm quite confused. I'm really hoping that they simply forgot to put the "meat" in it, as it's simply a table of contents.

But something tells me that's all it is. I've emailed them back to make sure, but if that's all it is, it's awfully weird.

Just like the meeting in SJ, nothing of any value to anyone is discussed. Nothing that has been mentioned in forums lately, or anything. It's as if they live in their own little world and the rest of the search engine marketers simply don't exist.

Go figure.

This is really weird! If it's any indication of their "increased member communication" then they're completely

If anyone wants to see a copy of it, let me know and I'll forward it to you.

[Matt B]

It was odd. I thought i received the minutes or someone's notes at first.

There was a mention of reviewing membership levels. . . . and that was the extent of the details - shoudn't that be up for membership discussion? I mean, that's what people are screaming for - more interaction of the board with the membership?

I volunteered to help during the rest of my membership period. I'm willing to make a go of helping to improve. However, it doesn't mean i won't speak my mind as well.

[Mike Grehan]

It was odd.  I thought i received the minutes or someone's notes at first.

In an industry where we constantly chant a mantra of: Write compelling copy; write descriptive titles; write powerful headlines; set the tone of voice to suit the audience; have great landing pages that convert; have a call to action...

It's strange how that "communication" hardly managed one fully constructed sentence.

Oh no... I feel a headline coming on:

SEMPO fires bullets at members!

<Where did I put that old copy of Nick's Net Words book... I think I know where to send it...>

[Jill]

SEMPO fires bullets at members!

@ Mike

Thought you were staying out of it, Mikey!

[Mike Grehan]

Thought you were staying out of it, Mikey!

Ahem... I was just passing and...er... saw your post... and my fingers felt curiously drawn to my keyboard. And the next thing I knew... oh, my giddy aunt... I'd typed something...

[qwerty]

You can't stay out of something when you've got a line that good, just begging to get posted somewhere

[Jill]

Ok, the official sempo word...

That little table of contents they sent out, was indeed the whole thing.

Gotta say that I'm through defending them. They refuse to address any issues that have been brought up to them. They refuse to actually communicate with the members in any meaningful way.

I don't think it's out of line to say that they simply don't care what the members or the general SEM community thinks. They have their own agenda (apparently) and that's that.

Not something I think I want to be a part of any more.

[anthonyparsons.com]

I don't think it's out of line to say that they simply don't care what the members or the general SEM community thinks. They have their own agenda (apparently) and that's that.

Not something I think I want to be a part of any more.

Good to hear Jill. I have never backed them, never will and think its all non-sense. The only thing they are doing is supplementing their own pockets from members money. They have done nothing for members and can't even run an official organization correctly. Do these people run businesses? How the hell do those make any money? Or are they simply a rip off also.

If the site was a commercial enterprise, that blatantly was opened to make money in return for something, then fine, but it isn't. They opened it as an Organization, haven't even committed legal advice when opening. Honestly, what sort of amateurs are we dealing with here?

Where's Mike Greham when you need him?

[Jill]

Well, Anthony, I wouldn't go that far.

I think SEMPO started with the best intentions, and I do think they're trying.

But they obviously don't understand what "better member communication" means.

<added>And I think saying that they are supplementing their own pockets with the members money, is absolutely false and also could be considered libel.

I didn't make my post to start people making stuff up and being nasty so let's please keep it to a semi-professional conversation here.

[Steve Sardell]

I don't think it's out of line to say that they simply don't care what the members or the general SEM community thinks. They have their own agenda (apparently) and that's that.

Unfortunately, that is the tone they have set and continue to hum. It's sad, but IMHO egos may have blocked good business sense.

[Jill]

Seems to be true.

I did receive an email from Greg Jarboe today, SEMPO's PR Guy and volunteer, and I voiced my concerns to him. I implored him and them to please, please, please let the membership and the general SEM public know what's going on in detail.

We'll see if they take that advice or not. If they decide not to, then I'm outta there as I want nothing to do with a secret society of sempo.

[SEO-PR]

Hi, Jill.

With lots of folks on vacation, I've been asked to respond to your questions about the update for sempo members. Yes, you got it all -- it was in outline form because many of the items in the member communication are being expanded on, debated and to be proposed to members by the specific committee responsible for that area. The committees are made of member volunteers. Some of the committees are just getting started but many of them are fully engaged. If you would like more details on any of the items, I will try to provide it or at least I'll give you a time frame for when it will be available to members.

In the meantime, I think I've got at least one observation that i'd like to add. A few months back, it seemed that providing updates about SEMPO at meetings a few months apart during Search Engine Strategies conferences was sufficient. But, as things heated it, it became clear that this was no longer acceptable to most of the members. Before anyone could hire an executive director or launch a newsletter, the forums became the new way to communicate comments and constructive criticism about the organization. That's actually part of a larger trend -- I don't wait for the morning newspaper to tell me what happen yesterday. I get the information real time off of the internet. Well, SEMPO wasn't staffed up to respond to forum postings -- on several forums. And each of the members were also dealing with the rising tide of demand for search engine marketing that seems to be lifting all boats these days. So, response to posts and legitimate questions was slow, infrequent, and terse. Not a great way to communicate.

I think that I get the need for speed -- but I also have to squeeze that in between taking care of clients, moving my office from Acton to Maynard, getting my kids off to college, etc. In fact, I'm very, very jealous of the French -- who take the month of August off. While my ancestors were French, I'm stuck working the swing shift this month. So, searching for forums where I can post my thoughts hasn't been high enough on my to-do list. But, I'll try to do better going forward.

In the meantime, I and others will try to communicate early and often -- in email, forums, and face-to-face meetings. And I apologize in advance for being late to the dance.

[Jill]

Welcome Greg!

If you would like more details on any of the items, I will try to provide it or at least I'll give you a time frame for when it will be available to members.

Yes, I'd like more details!

Let's start with this from the "newsletter":

- Lawyer engaged to review operations; preliminary review completed

What was reviewed and what did the attorney conclude? Can we read this review somewhere? Can you post it here or on the SEMPO site?

Thanks for providing this valuable feedback to the SEO/SEM members and community in general!

Jill

[SEO-PR]

Great question. But as an experienced PR person, I know well enough not to violate client/lawyer confidentiality. That would make fun reading -- once. And then I'd need to find a new profession. But, I'm also trying to be as open and honest as possible, so here's what I can share:

SEMPO is double-checking to see that everything is according to Hoyle before asking for nominations for three new board members. Up to now, the process for selecting board members has been by appointment -- but most members would like to vote on the three new board members. Doing that may require an adjustment to the bylaws. This process may take a couple of weeks to resolve. But it is expected to be resolved in September.

So, as soon as that gets taken care of the nomination process will begin.

[Matt B]

  Up to now, the process for selecting board members has been by appointment -- but most members would like to vote on the three new board members.  Doing that may require an adjustment to the bylaws.  This process may take a couple of weeks to resolve. 

So, as soon as that gets taken care of the nomination process will begin.

Does anyone outside of the board have access to those by-laws?

I think that and the board appointments are part of the processes that members (and non-members who are just as important, IMO) are questioning.