Foundation continues to gain momentum.

At the start of the new millennium, the IABC Research Foundation is on track and gaining momentum. We are now in the middle of a five-year business plan that promises a rich portfolio of research, education and professional development. I am pleased to report on behalf of the Foundation board of trustees that we have kept, and will continue to keep, that promise.

The Foundation's recent research includes a communication survey with Watson Wyatt Worldwide and a literature review on the "Key Elements of Supervisor/Employee Communication." At IABC's international conference in June 2000, the Foundation will release a revolutionary new study with an index and survey tool on organizational trust. It will offer an international perspective on the factors that drive trust and the importance of trust for organizational success. Other Foundation-supported reports will be featured in Communication World. Following the success of a report on intranets last year, the June issue will feature a report on knowledge management. This issue showcases Part I of the IABC/PRSA joint survey of the profession results.

And there are exciting new plans on the drawing board. A revealing study examining the link between communication competence and business success will be available in October. In February, the board of trustees approved two new studies brought forward by an international research committee. A study on "how communication drives merger success" will be headed by Patricia Whalen, Ph.D., at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. Dixie Evatt, Ph.D., Syracuse University, N.Y., will lead a team on "Defining a 'model' communication function for smaller organizations."

Research of this caliber takes a tremendous investment of human, intellectual and financial capital. IABC volunteer leaders have generously given all three. In addition to the board of trustees, the Foundation relies on "Think Tank" participants to identify high potential research topics that are later considered as possible requests for proposals by the research committee. Fund raising and development are at an all-time high, again thanks to the efforts of IABC leaders and IABC chapter/district volunteers. In November, we recognized IABC/Washington at the Chapter Leader Institute for its contribution of nearly $1,700 raised at a silent auction held annually to support the Foundation. Other chapters have already raised the bar for 2000 with even larger contributions.

From the midpoint of our five-year journey, we can see the visions of those who engineered the Foundation's business plan take shape. We now have an impressive library of research and educational resources. We have a capable staff to support our leaders. And, through the financial support of members, chapters and sponsors, we're gaining the financial resources to move forward and complete the journey. Don't get left behind. If you aren't familiar with what the Foundation has already produced, take a look, If you like what you see, make a contribution. It's your future.

David C. Kistle, ABC 

IABC Research Foundation Chair,

May 1999-2000