Bytes and bits.

The computer age is upon us. Our society has been utterly transformed by the new cyber-reality. This technological revolution is so pervasive in our culture that many self-proclaimed experts and futurists are predicting a paperless society--and sooner rather than later. Among the prophets of electronic progress is Nicholas Negroponte, professor and founder of the Media Lab at MIT. Negroponte describes the technological revolution in terms of a shift from atoms to bits; that is, a shift from the importance of material objects to the supremacy of digital information transmission. He says it is irrevocable and unstoppable, and that all of life is in the process of digital transformation.

Associations like MTNA are confronted with this cyber-challenge as we consider the fulfillment of our mission and purpose. Some association writers today proclaim the end of traditional associations, that they will be replaced by cyber associations that exist only on websites. Others, including myself, believe the future lies in embracing the new technologies to help us become accessible 24/7 and to reshape our delivery of information, but not to replace personal interaction between and among our members. A proper associational experience must be intensely personal. Therefore, technology must support, not supplant, the personal aspect of associational membership.

Yes, technological innovations have changed the way we work, and live and think. We cannot imagine our lives without computers. But neither can we imagine life, especially association life, without personal interaction, human conversation or, for that matter, music studios and classrooms without a living, breathing teacher. As Sven Birkerts, a prominent essayist and literary critic, has warned: "I would urge that we not fall all over ourselves in our haste to filter all of our experiences through circuitries." Otherwise, he says, the end result of the new cyber-reality may well be loss of meaning under a tide of endless information and computer bytes.

My desire as Executive Director of MTNA is to balance technological innovation with the best traditional association characteristics. In doing so, I have taken a deliberate, methodical approach in our commitment to technological development. The trials and errors of our attempts have been humbling yet insightful. Technology, I've found, is a dichotomy. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other. Nevertheless, our technological struggles are paying off.

MTNA is making tremendous technological advances, especially with our website. While many of these changes may not be noticed by the average member, they are, nonetheless, significant to the association.

Over the past years, we have made it possible to register for the MTNA Competitions and National Conference online. These registration methods have been so successful that only online registrations will be accepted for the 2005-2006 MTNA Competitions. In addition, new members can join online, and current members may renew their memberships online. We also have online communities where members and nonmembers alike can have an online "conversation" about myriad topics.

These are just a few things we've done in the past; there are more yet to come. As a step toward our commitment to technology, we now have a full-time website coordinator who works with a consultant to make MTNA's website a quality, informative tool for members. We are in the process of implementing new means of processing credit cards, a move that will result in both time and money savings for the association. And soon, new navigational tools will be added to the website to make it easier for members to find information. Again, this represents a mere sample of what MTNA is doing to move forward in this ever-increasing technological world.

I urge you to use the website at www.mma.org and use it frequently. And as you do so, MTNA will continue to advance ... bit by bit.