My fingers are still not used to typing properly and fast on a computer keyboard, let alone on the tiny “virtual” keys of a smart phone. You see, I am of the TV generation of the last century. I was in high school by the time personal computers were starting to enter our lives. We live in a new century now. The new generation is growing up with tablets in their hands and digital media in front of their eyes. I have seen young adults who can check their emails, text their friends, update their Facebook, eat popcorn, and watch a movie all at the same time!
For “older” generations, it can be easy to get stuck on the ways and technology of yesterday. Over the past few years, the NESM Board has recognized the importance of adopting new technology. With new technology comes the ability to serve our members in a better, more efficient manner. In addition, adopting the technology of the new generation will help attract new members to our wonderful organization. More efficient marketing through a viable web presence is one of the sure ways of attracting new members to NESM, especially this younger well-connected generation. In this age, you can hardly find an organization that does not have a webpage. Web presence is not an option but a requirement to exist and be taken seriously. A webpage is the window to the body and soul of an organization. How wide and clean that window is determines how many people will be interested in looking through that window. The first impressions are made in the blink of an eye. As best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell asserts in his book “Blink”, the decisive glance that knows in an instant determines if the sight seen will intrigue the looker enough to come in or not.
As you have probably already noticed, NESM now has a brand-new and fresh website. This website will become the new window to all NESM events, activities, communications, information, and “soul”. Along with a new look, our website comes with many new and improved functions. Most importantly, we have linked our membership database to our website. What does this mean for you? Members can now login to their personal profiles, update their user information, and register for meetings. If you are interested in reading about past meetings, head over to our Meeting Reviews page. Are you organizing an event? NESM would be happy to post your advertisements on our Affiliate Events page. New members can register for a membership online and access their user profiles instantly. All of these features and many more have been developed for the sole purpose of better serving the society. So, go ahead and peruse the site. Then tell us what you think. Show it to your younger generation and pass their feedback too. After all, NESM is here to serve you AND them.
I hope to see you all at our next meeting at UMass Lowell on October 17. Until then…
May the Focus be with you!
Fettah Kosar & Blair Rossetti
NESM Interim President & NESM President-Elect
