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[Jill]

SEMPO has just posted some new Q&A on the SEMPO site.

I have permission to reprint them here:

[quote]Where is the SEMPO forum? What can you tell me about the forum? [/quote]

The SEMPO forums are in beta testing and are not ready for the entire member population to use. We hope to have them out soon. Once they are live there will be a link to the forum from the members section of the site.

There are two main goals for the forums. First, to be used to get feedback on SEMPO and secondly, the forums will be used as a virtual meeting rooms for the committees.

We don't envision them becoming a how-to forum, but more of a way for members to discuss SEMPO subjects with each other and as a means to expedite communications.

At this point the forums will be member-only.

[quote]Can we see it and test it? [/quote]

When it is ready we will open the forums up to the members. If members are interested in viewing the user interface of the forum, they can check out the HighRankings forum and see their layout. SEMPO is using the same software package.

[quote]What do the moderators need to do? [/quote]

Our moderators will have the same job as moderators on most forums. The forum moderators act as the hosts that welcome new members and explain the Forum Rules and culture. Their main duties are listed include:

- Move, close, merge, split, delete and edit threads when appropriate.
- Help mediate between members and be available to answer general questions
from them.
- Keep conversations flowing and generally be available to help members out.

[quote]How many moderators do you need? [/quote]

Good question. We'll probably always need more than we have. We are planning on having at least one moderator for each SEMPO committee. The actual number of moderators will fluctuate depending on need.

[quote]In the last SEMPO newsletter there was a bullet about the Membership levels being reviewed. Could you elaborate on this? Does this involve increasing the dues? [/quote]

SEMPO currently has membership levels four membership levels: The Executive, Contributor, Supporter, and SEMPO Circle. From time to time we review the levels and adjust them. For example, at one time we had a Patron level, but since companies weren't electing to join at that level we abolished it.

We are always open to ideas from our members and recently some members suggested we streamline the membership levels. We are currently looking at the levels and may solicit input from the members on their thoughts on the levels.

[quote]The August newsletter mentioned that SEMPO was hiring a lawyer. Why was a lawyer engaged, and what can you tell us about the current legal situation and SEMPO? [/quote]

All incorporations should have legal advice and SEMPO is no different.

The law firm SEMPO is hiring specializes in non-profit law. We did this after a pro bono attorney assisting SEMPO reviewed the current articles of incorporation and bylaws and recommended a non-profit attorney review since the election process was not adequately covered in the existing set of documents.

Once the bylaws have been modified to cover the election process they will be available for membership. Also, since the attorney being retained is an expert in non-profit organizations, we are having him do a review of our operating structure and web site to ensure compliance.

[quote]Has the Executive Director position been advertised? What can you tell us about the job search to fill this slot? [/quote]

The executive director position is being advertised on the SEMPO site. We plan to advertise the position on additional job Boards including in-particular, craigslist. We anticipate conducting proactive networking to solicit additional candidates. We have already begun interviewing a few qualified candidates who specialize in high tech organizations like SEMPO.

[quote]Tell us about the Election Committee. When will the members know the details about the election process? [/quote]

The Election Committee is actively working toward developing a reliable way to nominate and elect new Board members. The starting point for defining the process was to examine the election processes of other 501c6 organizations to glean insight on how corporations were doing the process. Rather than re-inventing the wheel, we'd like to learn from successful organizations.

The Committee will develop a set of procedural documents that will be submitted to the SEMPO Board and the non-profit legal firm for approval and comments. Once the procedures are blessed by the attorney they will be presented to the membership.

[quote]Describe the new SEMPO Ad campaign? How much did it cost? [/quote]

SEMPO launched the Top of Search = Top of Mind ad campaign the first week in August. The initial rollout venues hit Adweek/Brandweek sites and email newsletters (Mediaweek emails, CoolNews Reveries email newsletter). In September this campaign will be expanded to include ClickZ and possibly some specific event advertising (Ad:tech). We also have some run-of-site ads on Forbes. The 5 month campaign, plus marketing activities at the key internet marketing conferences and vendors hired to implement the marketing strategy, will cost approximately $110,000.

[quote]What is the current SEMPO financial situation? [/quote]

For the latest information on SEMPOs financial information, download the Excel spreadsheet of our latest financial statement here: http://www.sempo.org/SEMPO_PandL.xls

[quote]Who has authority to spend SEMPO money? [/quote]

As with most industry organizations that serve their constituents and seek to further the growth of an industry, SEMPO bylaws provides the Board with the authority to allocate funding to meet the objectives of the organization. The executive director (acting or full time) will work with committees and members to develop additional initiatives that meet the goals and mission of the organization. Pending review of the Board, and upon recommendation of the executive director, funding may be allocated to additional initiatives. Similarly, existing initiatives are under periodic review by the Board to determine if those initiatives continue to further the goals of the organization and the industry.