VSDA FORMS IVR GROUP

[Videoquesttom]

Below is a press release from VSDA. At this time the details are sketchy. Many readers of this board are NOT VSDA MEMBERS and some are even antivsda. IMO it is now time to put those differences behind us. The real question is do we need a trade association that represents our segment of this industry? if the answer is YES then I believe we must unite and form a group that will further the goals of IVRs.

Now some might say that this is still VSDA. IMO opinion the chances of launching a successful  group from scratch would be much more difficult or maybe even impossible. I personally know many of the independent retailers who have worked very hard to get this done. These people are very dedicated savvy retailers who have and are putting in lots of time with the best interests of all IVRs at heart.

The bottom line is for this new organization to be successful they need NEW MEMBERS and former members to return to VSDA. Yes they need your money. But they also need your participation.

In a way this is kind of like a political campaign. If the igroup has to spend the majority of their time and energy trying to get new members (raising funds) they will have less time to work on the important tasks of delivering services that will benefit all IVRs.

So today I'm asking that everyone who reads this to seriously consider giving VSDA one last chance. Actually I'm asking you to give this group of dedicated IVRs a first chance. This is kind of like the chicken and the egg...which came first. To sit back and take the position that you will join only after you see the benefits makes it much harder for that to happen. On the other hand if you step up to the plate NOW and join VSDA and the igroup the chances this will be successful are much greater.

Tom Hannah


LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (March 29, 2004) … In a move that will place independent video retailers in full control of programs to meet their business needs, the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and the iGroup jointly announced today that they have created a new organization for independent video retailers. The group, to be known as iGroup during its start-up phase, is an autonomous division of VSDA. iGroup was allocated dedicated funding from VSDA dues and other revenue sources, assigned staff positions, and delegated authority over all current and future VSDA programs, products, and services that are intended specifically to meet the needs of independent video retailers.

According to Mark Vrieling, who was elected interim chairman of the iGroup, “Our vision is to place independent retailers in control of our own destiny. We are going to empower the independent sector of our industry to grow their businesses through networking, communication, education, and business tools.”

VSDA President Bo Andersen stated, “Today, VSDA is reborn. IVRs now have the money, staff, and authority to control their own programs. At the same time, VSDA will emphasize and continue its focus on its core competencies of government advocacy, industry promotion, research and analysis, and trade shows. As a result, we will better serve all sectors of the home video industry.”

The iGroup will address the needs of all video specialty retailers who are members of VSDA. All IVR members of VSDA will be entitled to the programs, products, and services to be provided by the iGroup.

The iGroup will accomplish its mission by creating and offering value-added products and services and an “information hub” for independent retailers. It will place emphasis on higher demand services, efficient execution, and the reestablishment of a solid foundation built from the local level up. In doing so, the iGroup will help independent retailers improve their earnings and increase the value of their businesses.

The iGroup will formally launch its programs at the VSDA convention in July.

The iGroup will be governed by an elected Board of Trustees that is separate and autonomous of the VSDA Board of Directors. The current elected directors of the VSDA Board of Directors are the charter trustees of the iGroup. In addition, Ken Dorrance of Video Station, Alameda, CA., was elected to the charter iGroup Board of Trustees by the other members and will serve until July. The election was made in recognition of Dorrance’s leadership in creating the iGroup and to ensure that the Board of Trustees has the benefit of Dorrance’s expertise during the start-up phase of the iGroup.

The current elected directors of the VSDA Board of Directors will retain their seats on the VSDA Board until their current terms expire. The iGroup Board of Trustees was given the authority to designate three members of the VSDA Board of Directors, beginning when the terms of the last four elected directors expire in 2006.

The election for the VSDA Board of Directors scheduled for this spring will become an election for three seats on the iGroup Board of Trustees. The three seats are currently held by Adrian Hickman, Nick Novakovich, and Martha Sims. Because of the timing of this change, the schedule for the election is being readjusted to allow interested persons the opportunity to run for the Board of Trustees. Further details will be announced shortly.

Later this year, the iGroup will conduct a referendum on the election of the remaining iGroup trustees. The referendum will put to the members the question whether all the trustees should be specifically elected to the iGroup or whether their prior election to the VSDA Board of Directors should count as an election to the iGroup Board of Trustees. “The iGroup should be a democratic institution that is responsive to the views of its members,” Vrieling declared. “We believe, therefore, that the important issue of Board of Trustee elections should be decided by the members of the iGroup, not the Board of Trustees.”

# # #

For more information, please contact:

VSDA: Sean Bersell, Vice President, Public Affairs
818-385-1500 Ext. 226 or sbersell@vsda.org

iGroup: Frank Lucca

508-324-4576 or flucca@vsda.org

[mcmarc]

I'm brand new to ivrs, but where was the VSDA a few years ago when indies needed their clout the most?  The chains had the mom and pops against the wall and now that the climate has changed I think that they're just chasing the money.

What do you vets think?  I'd love the concept, but am not sure of the outcome.

marc

[Hardcopy]

It is certainly a good idea. I for one am not ready to create a trade organization from the ground up (though I do not think it impossible), at least not while there is a chance of one still working.

However I am not ready to send them my money. I want to hear what this organization has in mind. Practically speaking. The legal stuff is GREAT and if I was involved with a startup organization, that is one of the first things I'd do. I'd donate a portion of the membership dues to the VSDA or another liekminded organization for the express purpose of defending IVR's legally.

Let's see what they have in mind.

[Zonk]

So who is responsible for the Discussion Board with this new restructuring?  Seems to me that if VSDA is serious about changing it's ways one of the first changes should be the one we have yelled about the most and the loudest...  Open up the discussion Board to all, NO CHARGE.  How many guests have paid the $50 to post? How will the IGroup gets it's message out?  Without access to the DB a double message is being sent by VSDA...  
1) Don't talk to us &
2) Give us your money.  
I do not feel good about this.  Show me something other than a letter.  I sent my dues in for over 10 years.  I showed my money.  VSDA...  you show us yours.

[Videoquesttom]

I think it is important to keep in mind that this group has just been created. Therefore many of the questions that arise have no answers yet. Please be patient. The igroup officially launches in July and the shape of the new organization will start to emerge at the VSDA convention.

I was not a part of the group of IVRs that started this up tough I know many of them very well. Knowing how dedicated these IVRs are is the major reason I am optimistic this is going to work. I think it is very import to understand that the formation of this group was the idea of some IVRs and not the idea of the VSDA staff.

One of the biggest hurdles to launching something like this is funding. The way I understand it is that if you are an independent and join VSDA 75% of your dues goes into the igroup fund. I also understand that if IVR membership increases dramatically the percentage will rise even higher. In addition the igroup will get 50% of profits from trade shows and the convention. This is one area where your participation comes in. If more of us show up at the shows and convention more vendors will want to display. To be honest, at this time the shows don't make much profit but I've heard that in the old days VSDA made a million on their convention. This is one of the things I was talking about in my original post when I said this new group needs your participation.

I understand that all of the VSDA programs that are for IVRS now in place will be placed under this new igroup. The igroup trusties will decide which programs are kept, which ones are modified and which ones are discontinued. Right now 10 IVRs make up this board of trusties. They are the 9 IVRs that are currently on the VSDA national board plus Ken Dorrance. Ken is the main architect of the igroup and was appointed by the other trusties. In a few weeks there will be an election for 3 positions to the igroup board.

I expect the igroup will operate in total openness. No more secret votes. I believe that in the future important issues will be put to a referendum voted by all members. I expect that igroup trusties will regularly post to the DB. I expect the trusties to listen to the membership. I also expect the membership to become much more involved. I cannot emphasize this enough, your participation is as important as your money.

ZONK says "one of the first changes should be the one we have yelled about the most and the loudest... Open up the discussion Board to all, NO CHARGE". I could not agree more. Now more than ever we need the DB open to nonmembers so we can effectively communicate with each other. The DB will be under the control of the igroup. As a VSDA member you can be sure that I will lobby very hard to get the DB open to nonmembers.

Tom Hannah
Videoquesttom@aol.com

[Victor Franqui]

I think a little to late, Im all for a new way of doign things this is the same people with a new name. IMO they are going to have to prove themselfs and no not money first, I am in the show me the money stage, lets see what they are all about show me your services and than i wil considered paying the fees.

[Thomas]

I think that if the iGroup hopes to succeed they are going to have to prove themselves in tangible ways before alienated ex-members would even consider participating, never the less paying for it.  

It will be interesting to see if the early promises of open elections, open meetings, published votes etc come to fruition.  I honestly think that the VSDA's biggest downfall is the secretive nature of the board and the apparent attitude of leadership to completely ignore the wishes of the bulk of the membership.

Now I haven't been in this industry as long as many here but when I first started I saw the VSDA as having promise, providing good services to their members etc.  This went downhill quickly over less than a 5 year period to the point that I don't participate any longer.  For me, it will take more than the creation of an offshoot new group, it will take results to get me back.

[Hardcopy]

Interesting how perceptions can change. I always assumed you were big into the VSDA (not sure why I thought that in hindsight, I just did).

[Shiraz]

I am post-VSDA so I wouldn't know what was so wonderful that they used to do. That’s all I hear – yet not a word about what they actually did. Could someone hit some of the highlights of the"oh so wonderful" things this organization did in the past? Really.

A top five would be great. I'm only guessing here - but I'm thinking some would struggle to think of five or if they could come up with 5 - those wonderful things won't amount to much - let alone enough to pay for (take money out of the equation and I bet the result is the same). Not once have I ever heard/read what they have actually done for the IVR's. Please, someone tell me what they have done for you personally. I want to know, what could the VSDA do for me - little 'ol me all the way over here on the east coast, buying my movies from Wal-Mart? (not meant to be a discussion about where I buy but rather about me being an IVR)

This not meant to be a funny post just a straight forward question and I am looking for someone to point me in some sort of direction on this because as far as I'm concerned it's all just B.S. and that some folks just feel more comfortable sending their money to someone as long as others do too (makes them feel all warm and fuzzy inside). Isn't that the traveling/TV evangelists’ scam? Sell everyone on hopes and intangible offerings. Meanwhile they’ve got all your gold and your left with all that hope and a bunch of promises (with a smile of course).

[Victor Franqui]

Can some one please give me an AMEN!!!!!!!!!


Well said, please can some one talk about the tools they offered for members only see if they where worth the money.