How Was SEMPO's UK Committee Formed?

[BlackRhino]

MODERATOR NOTE: This thread was split off from Danny Sullivan leaves SEMPO (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?threadid=1542) where the issue of how SEMPO's UK committee was created was raised (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?p=13107#post13107) by Jill Whalen:

Yes, technically, Danny has left SEMPO, but it's not like he's quit in anger, because he doesn't believe they're doing a good job, or not fulfilling their mission.

Unfortunately, I see that there's another whole problem with the SEMPO UK committee now, which is a shame because I really was thinking they were on the right track. Hopefully, that one will get squared away to everyone's satisfaction.
BlackRhino's original response now begins:

I agree that there has been significant movement in SEMPO since SES in San Jose. It seems that they have at least doubled the communication over the previous year. Thats a good thing for the most part.

I saw that hey had added just about everyone that volunteered to help with committees to those committees. They added me much to my surprise. I was never notified by email or otherwise. I found out by Googling myself.

I have to admit that being added to a committee is a bonus for me but I would have thought that the committee chair would have contacted me. I'm still waiting. My faith in SEMPO however is begining to wain.

[bethabernathy]

Unfortunately, I see that there's another whole problem with the SEMPO UK committee now, which is a shame because I really was thinking they were on the right track. Hopefully, that one will get squared away to everyone's satisfaction.

for more details see:

http://www.highrankings.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9307

[Jill Whalen]

The whole adding people to committees without them knowing is definitely one of the strangest things they've done! :confused:

Luckily I was spared! (But I never put my name in as a volunteer, so that probably helped spare me.)

[Jill Whalen]

I saw that hey had added just about everyone that volunteered to help with committees to those committees. They added me much to my surprise.

Reading that again, you say you volunteered to help with a committee. So I guess them adding you to the committee you volunteered for isn't really all that strange.

I agree that it seems like it would have made sense to notify all the people on their respective committees to let them know it was all set up.

[Mike Grehan]

Reading that again, you say you volunteered to help with a committee. So I guess them adding you to the committee you volunteered for isn't really all that strange. I agree that it seems like it would have made sense to notify all the people on their respective committees to let them know it was all set up.

Even if people do volunteer to do something for SEMPO should that automatically qualify them to take a place on a committee?

My son volunteered to do some work for the local pet shelter working with stray cats and dogs. It's a non profit organisation. Should he keep checking the organisation's literature just in case he's placed on one of their committees without his knowledge? Of course not. Just because he's keen enough to clean up some dog poop doesn't mean he's qualified to sit on a committee.

And what about those names which appeared on the supposed UK committee list who are not even members at all. How does SEMPO explain that? Not only does SEMPO not even check to see if people DO want to take up positions, they don't even bother checking to find out whether they're even members. And that in itself begs the question: How did non members get on the list in the first place?

Once again, poor Greg Jarboe has to come back with the official word from the board (in a second attempt I have to tell you) to let us know who the actual (would-be) members are:

http://www.highrankings.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9307&st=15

It's not often I get a chance to quote myself, but I seem to remember saying "The sound of furious back-pedalling and the odd waft of BS"

I've already posted a snip from an email by Andy Atkin-Kruger who is on the list, where he states he thought he was going to a selection meeting. He IS NOT a committee member. Those are his words. Barry Lloyd IS NOT a committee member. In HIS own words.

http://www.highrankings.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9307&st=30

It's just ridiculous for an organisation to be making these official statements about who is a committee member when they quite obviously have had no direct contact with those very same people who are saying that the UK committee doesn't exist yet.

And it's not just the UK situation which is bizarre. Bill Slawski, who offered a little telephone support on the legal side of SEMPO also found himself listed as a committee member.

http://www.cre8asiteforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=14950

In his own words, he can't give the time to SEMPO that is required, but more to the point: he's not a SEMPO member either!

And this is an attempt at SEMPO showing better communication with its members?

From stipends and board appointments which are not communicated to the members, to bogus comittee appointments and non members mixed with offical members... It really would be funny - if it wasn't so damn serious.

[rankforsales]

Mike Grehan's last post says it all and I have no other comment for SEMPO...

[orion]

I agree that there has been significant movement in SEMPO since SES in San Jose. It seems that they have at least doubled the communication over the previous year. Thats a good thing for the most part.

I saw that hey had added just about everyone that volunteered to help with committees to those committees. They added me much to my surprise. I was never notified by email or otherwise. I found out by Googling myself.

I have to admit that being added to a committee is a bonus for me but I would have thought that the committee chair would have contacted me. I'm still waiting. My faith in SEMPO however is begining to wain.

So, what you're saying is that they appointed you to a committee without

1. contacting you
2. asking for your permission
3. checking if you were available
4. knowing if you were interested

If what you describes is correct then it would have made sense to invite you and ask if you were interested/available, wait for your response, and then follow through.

Besides their own businesses, do these SEMPO people know how to run something? Do they know something about project management or information flow? God!

Orion

[bethabernathy]

I had thought you had to pay membership fees to get into a Sempo meeting (at least I did to get into the one at SES). Then can committee members, that aren't Sempo members, go to Sempo meetings? How would the committee members even know about Sempo? Do the Sempo newsletters go out to non members, were non members at the meeting at SES? :confused:

I would think they should get their act together on the legal forefront prior to moving ahead on much of anything, which is unfortunate.

[The PR Guy]

If you were going to start a new committee, in the U.K. or about B2B, just to pick two examples, what would you do? Particularly, if you were on the board of a non-profit professional association. Ask for volunteers? That's how SEMPO was formed in the first place. And that's how the SEMPO B2B committee was formed. And that's how the SEMPO U.K. committee is in the process of being formed.

How were the members selected? All volunteers were welcomed. It was that simple. They responded to two emails sent to all SEMPO members. The emails were sent on August 4, 2004 (http://www.sempo.org/communications/Member-Update-Aug04.htm) and August 18 (http://www.sempo.org/communications/member_update_08_18_04.htm). In addition, all SEMPO members in the UK were sent an individual email in mid-August.

Even some of the folks who seem unhappy with SEMPO have the option of volunteering -- even if their objective is to reform the organization. You will have a much bigger impact if you decide to participate.

As for the advisory board, Danny and Chris became members because they had contributed so much to SEMPO getting off the ground. They are changing roles now, because SEMPO is making news -- and it is a little more difficult for those covering the news to wear two "hats." But, there have been others who have volunteered to join the SEMPO advisory board -- and I expect that they will get the okay from their organizations to play a more active role very shortly.

Why would any organization want one of its executives to play a more active role in SEMPO? Because they think working to increase awareness and promote the value of Search Engine Marketing worldwide is a worthy objective.

By the way, this isn't "BS" -- it's just the facts.

[seobook]

Why would any organization want one of its executives to play a more active role in SEMPO? Because they think working to increase awareness and promote the value of Search Engine Marketing worldwide is a worthy objective.
if only that seemed like the actual goal of SEMPO to just a few more people

By the way, this isn't "BS" -- it's just the facts.
right now I am typing numbers -- it's just the facts.

[steve sardell]

If you were going to start a new committee, in the U.K. or about B2B, just to pick two examples, what would you do? Particularly, if you were on the board of a non-profit professional association. Ask for volunteers? That's how SEMPO was formed in the first place. And that's how the SEMPO B2B committee was formed. And that's how the SEMPO U.K. committee is in the process of being formed.

How were the members selected? All volunteers were welcomed. It was that simple. They responded to two emails sent to all SEMPO members.
Greg, I hope you will take the moment to clarify. Your above statement implies, and it can be infered, all the potential committee members are members of SEMpo who voluntered to be on the committees. Is your statement correct? It has been written there are committee invitees who are not members of SEMpo. Are those statements incorrect. I am not meaning advisory boards, strictly committee members. Thank you for your consideration.

[Chris_D]

Just because he's keen enough to clean up some dog poop doesn't mean he's qualified to sit on a committee.

Mike - I think you just summed it all up.

Forget my SEMPO 'subscription' - I just want the "SEMPO pooper scooper franchise...."

Someone
Elses
Mutt's
Pooped
Onmydoorstep....

:)

Hey - I want in on this self promotion gravytrain bandwagon - or was that poopwagon.....

<edited> Thanks Greg - Just reread your post. I'm happy to now declare the Australasian SEMPO office is online. Of course, I'll be the Chairman.

As there are no other current SEMPO members who are also professional SEO/SEM companies here in Australia as at 13.09.2004 - I will clearly be the best candidate.

:) Thats how it works, isn't it?

All current SEMPO members who vote for me please say Aye.

And I'll arrange HEAPs of meetings here in Sydney for anyone who wants to attend!!

:)

PS Who should I send my dinner/ lunch invoices to? You? Jupiter? Barb? Hey - I'm happy to organise a few big lunches - but SEMPO will pay for them - just like in the USA - won't you guys?