We are pleased to offer these observations and the results of the 2003 IAM Newsletter Contest. Clearly, IAM members are the prime beneficiaries of the priority that the union places on frequent, high quality communications at every level.

The judges met on Wednesday, September 11, 2003 at the offices of the International Labor Communications Association.

The samples of IAM district and local lodge newsletters, and web communications which we were privileged to review reflect a serious commitment to communication and information exchange.

It is evident that IAM is equally committed to communication as a two-way process and sees the value of plumbing the opinions and attitudes of its membership as a prudent and effective means for shaping policy and sustaining solidarity.

Communication—like exercise—is a concept that is universally endorsed. Like exercise, it is easier to discuss than to practice. Like exercise, its benefits appear slowly and progressively over the long term. And, like exercise, communication is a habit that requires constant attention and full commitment.

In recent years, it seems, a number of organizations have experienced a decline in the number of ink-on-paper communications they produce while the number of web pages proliferates. Obviously, once the expense of computers, software and education are cleared, web publishing is considerably less expensive than printing and postage, leading some organizations to abandon printed publications to be replaced by web sites.

Given the larger number of web sites entered into this contest relative to printed publications, it would seem that the IAM may be experiencing the same situation.

On the other hand, there are still a number of union families who do not have access to the internet; and many who do are not as likely to search out their union home page and glean the information it contains as they might be to scan (and perhaps read) a newsletter they receive in the mail.

While any formal communication effort is better than none, it is the consensus of the panel that the optimum level of communication for effective organizations employs all available media as complementary tools. Web pages and e-mail communications have become an extremely important asset for unions and will continue to expand exponentially. But, their use should augment, not supplant printed publications.