Dan Antion

AIIM WIIM & Girls Inc. #WATWB

A bit of full disclosure might be in order: I am a member of the Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM) International. I am also on AIIM’s Board of Directors, and I have a strong, albeit non-vested interest in the organization’s success. I volunteered to serve on the Board of AIIM, because I have long been impressed with the work that they do on behalf of information professionals around the world and I appreciate the huge amount of help and education they provided to me during my career.

Although my first term began on January 1, 2013, I was invited to attend the December 2012 meeting in Dallas, TX, to meet the people I would be working with and get a feel for the process. During that meeting, we did a team-building exercise where small groups of directors and staff members assembled bicycles. The completed bikes were donated to a local charity that gave them to children. I was impressed by the fact that the organization included a way of giving back to the community hosting our small event.

I was impressed, but I wasn’t surprised. One of the things I love about AIIM is the collective concern they have for people. The AIIM New England Chapter, where I first came in contact with the organization, had held a golf tournament to benefit the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for over 20 years.

One of the things that AIIM began during my service on the Board, was to establish, Women in Information Management (WIIM), a group whose mission is:

“to engage and empower women worldwide in information management.”

Given how hard it is for women to establish themselves in the various disciplines of information management, I was proud to see this group be established and supported by AIIM. I would encourage women working in this field to check out the program and resources at WIIM, and I am encouraged by the Association’s commitment to the success of this group.

In recent years, when the community has met at its annual conference, they have added a social outreach event. From the AIIM website:

“Social responsibility at The AIIM Conference began three years ago. A popular element of the event where everyone is encouraged to participate as a community.

At previous events we’ve donated 200 pairs of decorated TOMS shoes to a local children’s and family charity in New Orleans, last year we created S.T.E.M puzzles and Morse Code bracelets for local underprivileged children in the Orlando area. We also donated $1,200 to Hands On Orlando as a result of conference attendee check-in activities.”

This month (April 2018), when the AIIM tribe gathered in San Antonio, the recipient of that outreach was Girls Inc. of San Antonio, TX. During our festive social event on Thursday evening, we were invited to help build 500 welcome kits that will be given to girls who join Girls Inc’s program.

The “We are the World” Blogfest has extended its year-long journey and is in the first month of year-two. This blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts, Shilpa Garg, Dan Antion, Simon Falk, Michelle Wallace , Mary Giese, welcome participants and encourage all to join in during future months. #WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time between now and February of 2019.

We had quite the assembly line going. Grab a bag, put one of everything in it.
One of the things in the bag is this magnet.
I am so proud of these women!
On our way to 500!
“Keep it moving ladies.”
Who better to help?

65 comments

    • Thank you, Judy. I am very proud to work with these people. The entire mission of AIIM is education and support. They have helped me, and they help people working in this crazy field, every day. Deciding to give a little extra support to the women in this industry was an effort that was easy to support.

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  6. AIIM sounds like an amazing organization. One that actually accomplishes so much good. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that you would choose to be a part of this group. Your kindness and concern for those around you shines through many of your blogs.

    Congratulations and a round of applause to all of you! The board, no doubt, runs smoother with you on it!
    🔹 Ginger 🔹

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    • Thanks Ginger. I’m just one of many, but it’s a good fit. The organization has helped so many people do their jobs better. I discovered AIIM in 2000 and I’ve met some wonderful people and I’ve learned so much. It’s been great.

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  9. If only there was a love button here…

    I knew how much you enjoyed your AIIM conferences, but didn’t know how much they gave back to the communities, to people who need help. The work that they do is wonderful and I can see why you have invested yourself in this organization. Give them a high five for me, Dan, and thanks for co-hosting this month.

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    • Thanks Mary! It’s easy to like AIIM based on how much the organization has helped me in my career. From training classes, to webinars and local Chapter meetings, I have learned much and met so many good people.

      When they started thinking about ways to help disadvantaged people, women, children, veterans, I just love them more.

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      • That’s awesome, Dan. It would be a wonderful world if every organization and company (big and small) gave back to the community with their hearts and pocketbooks, and not just for tax purposes.

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        • This year’s conference was sold out. But, in 2017, the conference struggled, but they still gave. It’s easy to give when times are good. When you give when times are tough, it’s because your committed.

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  12. Seems like a good thing that you’re on the board of AIIM and have been able to empower girls as a result of it. Nice way to share positivity both in your real life and as part of #WATWB. Don’t you love it when things come together?

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    • I do enjoy this, Ally. I was not instrumental in making these things happen. I supported the wonderful women on our board who came up with the idea, and the organization’s staff that makes it happen. It’s a small group, so any extra work is asking a lot. They put this stuff high on the list, and I am very proud of them for that.

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    • Thanks Audrey. The kudos go to the board members and staff who brought this idea to fruition, but I am proud to have been there when the idea first surfaced. These are the things that make a difference.

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  15. That is awesome! I’m glad you are a part of this organization that cares about people. I don’t know how, but people tend to forget about people. Really glad you’re of service in these matters.

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  17. Excellent Dan – it sounds like a great initiative that’s spreading .. and so glad they’re letting those girls smile their way into the future – the more they can learn, the more will be played forward … wonderful – cheers Hilary

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  18. What a wonderful introduction to this amazing organization. The community outreach/connection piece is fabulous in itself and certainly worth celebrating, but I suspect it’s a valuable component to strengthening the internal bonds within AIIM and WIIM as well. Working together, in service, can create a community that one really is proud to be part of. And I think you’re great proof of that. :-) The more win-win momentum that builds, the stronger everyone becomes, and yay for that!

    Thanks for sharing this, and for co-hosting this month.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Deborah. The AIIM community is a wonderful place. I have been a part of it for almost 20 years, and people have been so helpful when I’ve needed help, and so grateful when I’ve been able to pay some of that help back.

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    • There are still a lot of challenges facing women in technology, so WIIM is a great extension of AIIM’s services. Girl’s Inc. just seems like a cool way to give those girls a great start. Thanks!

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  20. Another awesome story, Dan. That is a fine organization you have joined. I loved my career in education, but I often wonder if I would have made different choices if something like Girls Inc. had opened my eyes to possibilities I didn’t know existed and had certainly never considered.

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    • Thanks Janet. Unfortunately, women still face many challenges in the world of technology. These organizations are important and I am proud of AIIM for creating and supporting these opportunities.

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    • Thanks Val. AIIM is ultimately a community of information professionals. Bringing people together in a community is what they do. These are extensions of that, and recognition that there are others in need. I feel very good about having been a part of AIIM for almost 20 years.

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  24. Social responsibility, and education, education, education … great post Dan. Any way of breaking historical patriarchal bonds that still bind too many girls and women? I’m going out on a limb here I know –

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  25. I want to echo everything that Mary said. It feels good to be part of an organization that has good values and demonstrates them through their actions. The AIIM sounds exactly like that kind of organization 💕

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  26. The big New York bank I retired from use to have us do community work wherever we had conferences….specifically remember building beehives for a local initiative in Jamaica one year. Love that type of support. Use to work with Girls, Inc (local chapter in San Diego area) for years….warmed my heart to see that organization picked for your San Antonio experience! Great organization!

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