President’s Message: March 2022

by Bob Duthaler

Working to Improve Our Communications

We are a few months into 2022 and we will continue to provide the best for our membership.  I, along with your board, feel that communication (the business we are all in) with our membership is key to the success of the organization.  With that thought in mind, we are continually updating and developing new ways to communicate effectively with all of our members.  This newsletter continues to be a good example of one of those ways.  In fact, we are currently working on reformatting this document starting next month.  I urge you to print it out monthly (it could become a collector’s item), read through it and mark your calendar with the important dates detailed in the newsletter.  In addition, I urge you to share the electronic version with members of your staff, volunteers, and board members, along with members of your government. I believe information found in this newsletter is worth reading and sharing with others as well.  There are so many facets of our organization and issues that are touched upon, you would be surprised how many people you know would be interested in reading about them.

JAG’s website is another useful tool.  We continually update information monthly, if not more.  There you will find videos, meeting information, news, along with a member’s only section in which you will find shared documents and other important information.  We understand the importance of a good website and we continue to update the site, making it easy to read and locate information, and to be a source for information for potential members and a tool for current members.  Please continue to use our website as a power resource of information…our website is located at www.jagonline.org .

JAG’s monthly membership meetings (the last Wednesday of the month) continue to be a great way to keep up with the organization and its members.  Our goal is to not only give our members an update on the organization and committees (which is usually enough for most organizations) but to also provide presentations from vendors, training sessions and vibrant discussions each month.  Plus, you can watch all our vendor presentations in the members only section of our website.

JAG’s Annual Conference – the Eastern Video Expo – is a favorite tool for learning, networking and acquiring hands-on technology experience with our tradeshow.  Attendees participate in conference sessions geared towards our membership and industry,  government sessions for municipal government employees and our extensive trade show for all.  Read more about the conference in this and upcoming newsletters, and on the special conference website at www.easternvideoexpo.com.  Registration will be opening shortly for this year’s event.  Visit the conference website at the end of March for updated information, registration and more!  I guarantee that you cannot find a better three day event with an in person trade show, banquet and awards show, two days of virtual training sessions and more! Being a member of JAG also makes you a member of the New Jersey Chapter of NATOA. Since JAG is a chapter of NATOA this provides our members an additional level of support and information.  NATOA keeps our membership informed on a national level on things shaping the communications industry, FCC rules and national laws.  Plus NATOA provides a great resource of information to members with monthly eNATOA Webinars and a National Conference as well.  Look for articles in our newsletters from NATOA Members.  You can find out more information about NATOA by visiting their website at www.natoa.org.