By Amy Roady, PIF Trustee
The Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) believes in supporting AAEA’s members by funding educational opportunities for agricultural journalists and communicators. The board recognizes that our members are changing and that creates different opportunities to serve them. We also recognize that we must be fiscally responsible.
This fall, a special task force took a deep dive into both the audiences PIF serves and its financial outlook. We decided to make changes and suggestions that we believe sets the organization up well for the future and that provides value to our members. As you think about ideas for PIF to fund, please consider this information. We see lots of new and exciting options to serve our members.
First, we agreed that PIF funds will be used to support programs that support AAEA members, with the exception of students.
Second, PIF will budget based on different audiences using the following guidelines:
-30% for young professionals
-30% for mid-career professionals
-20% for experienced or late-career professionals
-20% for students
We made this decision based on existing opportunities and needs for each different group. However, the funding for these groups will be determined based on the program requests that PIF receives. PIF’s goal is to ensure the entire AAEA membership benefits as a whole from the various programs. These are long-term goals and we recognize that in the near term students, which have historically received about 40% of the funding, may receive similar support. More information about each of these groups is below.
Third, we looked at the funding cycle for PIF investments. We decided to fund projects based on the income that PIF receives the previous year. These means the budgeting and funding cycle would go as follows:
PIF funding for projects is based on PIF contributions that came in between Oct. 1, 2018 and Sept. 30, 2019.
A call for PIF proposals (based on the criteria we established) would be announced at Ag Media Summit or July, 2019.
Proposals would be due Sept. 10, 2019.
By Oct. 10, 2019, the PIF board would know how much funding for projects is available.
During October 2019 the PIF board would discuss and make a recommendation for PIF projects.
By Nov. 10, 2019, PIF decisions are announced.
Call for participation in approved projects can start in November and December.
However, if fully sponsored activities come up, the board will consider them at any time.
PIF Audience Descriptions
Students: Full- or part-time college students enrolled in an agricultural or communications curriculum who have little to no full-time professional work experience. Members of this group seek opportunities to build their networks, explore career options and build their experience. They are focused on securing a job after graduation.
Young professionals: Communications professionals who are just starting out in their career and have 15 years or less of experience. Members of this group are focused on advancing their career and seek opportunities for professional development that expand their experience, grow their professional networks or increase their knowledge.
Mid-career communicators: Communications professionals with about 15 to 25 years of experience in the communications or agriculture field. Members of this group are focused on moving into more senior level positions and/or capitalizing on their experience. Their professional development needs include managing people, managing budgets, expanding their network, fine-tuning their communications skills, influencing others and balancing personal and professional elements of their life.
Experienced/late-career communicators: Communications professionals who are nearing retirement or looking to transition from full-time employment to freelance or contracted work. Members of this group may seek opportunities to become more involved and commit their time to causes that are important to them. Their professional development goals include sharing their expertise with less-experienced audiences, staying relevant with industry changes, balancing work and personal time, exploring new work opportunities and planning for retirement.