Annual Changes Don’t Shake the PNW Designers Council Chapter

By Ruth Delker

Whether we experience change through job transitions or officer elections, change is “the norm” in volunteer organizations like the IPC Designer Council Chapters. I was fortunate enough to follow in the footsteps of our previous president, Jim Yohe. He had an excellent plan to transition officers and tangibles for our group. I feel this pattern is worth sharing with our other chapters to help keep an uninterrupted flow as chapters evolve.

We call this document our “Audit Document”, but the title on the actual record is Officer Change or Chapter Dissolution Guidelines. This series of guidelines, compiled in one location, is an effective listing of those items necessary to track history and planned changes to the organization.

Within the 10 pages are:

• The annual audit of tangibles
• the bank account
• location of the post office box keys
• forms to be updated with changes in the organization
• incorporation information
• The current (new) officers list
• The list of chapter contacts
• The accountant
• The legal advisor
• The IPC representatives including web coordinator
• Any other contacts important to the organization

At the first Chapter Board Meeting each year we audit our chapter and update this document with current information. This review assures current board members that plans are in place. Persons new to the board can better understand those items the board is responsible to maintain.

Give this Audit document a try at your chapter. We can review past years and understand when and where changes occurred in our chapter. Having this history in place can be invaluable in our dynamic industry.

For questions or more information, contact Ruth Delker, C.I.D. at 503-819-4895 or at radservices24@aol.com

Ruth Delker is a senior PCB Designer with over 25 years experience. She currently designs for Cipher Systems, an engineering firm in Portland, Oregon. She is immediate past president of the PNW DC Chapter.