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IoPP gets down to business

New initiatives on many fronts help the IoPP write a dynamic new chapter in continuing packaging education.

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The Institute of Packaging Professionals has always been about continuing packaging education, including through its flagship book, The Fundamentals of Packaging Technology.

Since September 1, 2001, when Landon, Farrey & Associates (LF&A) began managing the organization, IoPP has gotten back to the fundamentals. IoPP members we interviewed for this special update made it clear that LF&A, which defines its role as “adviser and facilitator,” has facilitated a re-energized IoPP. That’s quite an improvement from our last IoPP report in May 2002, “Can IoPP strengthen its chapters?” (see www.packworld.com/go/c116).

June Anderson, IoPP president and a member since 1984, says, “IoPP has gone through definite struggles, but after we started the management relationship with [LF&A], we really seemed to take off again.”

Take off is right. Membership stood at 3겘 when LF&A took over. It now stands at 4꾧, a 56% increase.

There’s more behind the new and improved IoPP than LF&A. “We have a very dynamic board and executive committees that have us headed in the right direction,” Anderson says. “The current IoPP strikes a very good balance between LF&A management and IoPP. None of the decisions are made by [LF&A], all the input and direction comes from the executive committee and council of officers, who themselves are members located throughout the country.”

Past president and current IoPP chairman Thomas Schneider says, “Compared to four years ago, the change has been like night and day—it’s absolutely marvelous.”

“There’s a leadership team in place that’s so committed to making sure there’s value for all members,” adds vice president of chapters Jane Chase, “but we couldn’t do it without LF&A.”

An IoPP member for 10-plus years, Chase is also on the Council of Officers and oversees IoPP’s 39 chapters spread throughout the United States. “There’s a wonderful energy at the chapter level now that you can feel,” Chase says. “The last two years have been especially fantastic.”

IoPP has worked hard to connect chapters better regionally and nationally, Chase says. Besides regional meetings, another way has been sharing of best practices. Meeting suggestions and other ideas are shared regionally and through the www.iopp.org Web site (see sidebar p.167).

“That’s rejuvenated some chapters that needed some good ideas,” adds Anderson. For example, a successful “Corrugated Regatta” fundraiser originated by the Golden Gate Chapter in San Francisco is expected to be adapted by other chapters.

“We don’t want to stay the course of the past,” says Anderson, “we’re trying to move beyond that. We’re trying to institute processes for our continued growth now and in the future.”

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