Investigative & Security Professionals for Legislative Action (ISPLA)

Vicki asked us to repost this here for her…

This organization is ill advised, IMHO. It will dilute the effectiveness of NCISS. I see that those who are organizing this group are those who have served NCISS as officers, committee people, etc. and were unhappy with the results of the last NCISS election. You all vowed allegiance to NCISS so long as you were in charge; yet are unwilling to abide by the will of the majority of the group when it’s someone else’s turn. Instead of campaigning to win next year you are attempting to undermine the strength and influence of NCISS, an organization that has been very effective in lobbying for our profession. It calls into question your motives in serving NCISS. Was it a driving desire to support our profession, or self aggrandizement?

I don’t have a dog in this fight, except as a member of NCISS, but it strikes me as treasonous to attempt to destroy an effective group to which you have allegedly given your allegiance. I work to support NCISS, whether you or others are in charge. I have not been involved in NCISS politics, and I didn’t even vote in the election, but those who did chose a different direction than what you wanted. Your allegiance should be to NCISS, her members and our profession. NCISS has not changed direction, and has continued to be effective, so the only reason you have to start this group is because you didn’t get your way, you want to be in charge, and your egos were dinged.

This divisive action of starting another, nearly identical group will mean that the money and support will be split, resulting in two weak groups rather than one strong one. It will also send a message to the politicians we MUST influence, that our group is petty, weak and unable to unite. They will dismiss us as unimportant, neither group will be effective, and our entire profession will suffer. After all the time, money and effort we as a profession have spent trying to develop a positive image, you are willing to throw it all away with no regard for our profession as a whole, simply so you can play King of The Hill.

I realize that you all are bigger, tougher, and more important than me, and my opinion doesn’t mean squat to you, but as you know I am nothing if not an outspoken person of principle. I am very pan determined; I support any action or group that results in the greatest good for the greatest number, even if I personally am not helped, or am even harmed. I will never support treason, selfishness, egoism or a “me first” attitude. I will certainly not support any activity that results in the weakening of our strength and value in the eyes of the government, and our profession as a whole.

I would appreciate it if people would repost this to any group or site where this topic is under discussion.

Vicki Siedow
Siedow & Associates Investigations
2629 Foothill Blvd. # 262

La Crescenta, CA 91214
(Los Angeles County)
877-To-Vicki
818-242-0130
818-688-3295 fax

Siedow@LawAndOrder.com
http://VickiPI.com
CA Licensed PI #22852; RPS 5538
CITRMS: Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist
NCISS Membership Committee – http://www.nciss.org/

NCISS RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES ABOUT ISPLA

The National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) takes this opportunity to inform you as well as to clarify for other members of the private investigation and security professions that NCISS is not affiliated with a newly formed group called ISPLA. The purpose of this message is to address the many recent inquiries to the Board of Directors and officers of NCISS.

NCISS was recently invited to join ISPLA. However, NCISS was not provided details regarding the structure, the identity and role of those involved, how donations would be handled or how decisions for candidate contributions would be made. Without these details, the NCISS Board of Directors could not reasonably consider the offer.

NCISS has been your voice in the Nation’s Capitol for the past 33 years and values your membership. Thanks to each of you for your continued support to NCISS’ mission and to the NCISS Legislative Fund. Your generous donations fund ongoing professional lobbying and your representation in Washington, D.C.

Assisting NCISS with government relations is Legislative Advocate Lawrence Sabbath.

For almost two decades, Larry Sabbath has counseled associations, coalitions and corporations on a variety of government relations issues, including labor relations, financial services, environmental regulation, transportation, and privacy. Larry is a Capitol Hill veteran, having served members of the House of Representatives as staff director for three different subcommittees with jurisdiction over issues affecting the Federal Trade Commission, small business, tax, antitrust, transportation, and the environment. Larry is a recipient of the John J. Duffy Award, the highest honor bestowed by NCISS. Larry has been extremely effective as our advocate.

Applications for membership and updated information on events may be obtained by going to http://www.nciss.org.

Your donations are critical to our mission and continued success. Contributions in any amount are greatly appreciated and may be sent to:

NCISS Legislative Fund
7501 Sparrows Point Blvd.
Baltimore, Maryland 21219

Thank you for your loyalty and support.

Sincerely,

The NCISS Executive Committee
Brian McGuinness, Chairman of the Board
Francie Koehler, President
Eugene Ferraro, 1st Vice President
Maria Landry, 2nd Vice President
Jim Zimmer, 3rd Vice President
Barbara Burr, Secretary
Joe Dickerson, Treasurer

ISPLA resolved to work with ALL professional associations……..

A message was recently posted by former past presidents of several associations which might lead the reader to believe they are speaking on behalf of NCISS. They do not. The NCISS board was not consulted regarding that email post, nor has it endorsed its content or spirit. In fact, the present leadership has sidestepped its board on a number of major issues affecting the mission of NCISS the past year.

Shortly after announcements of the formation of Investigative & Security Professionals for Legislative Action (ISPLA), its officers entered into a “gentlemen and madam’s” agreement with NCISS’s president Francie Koehler and the current legislative chairman Jimmie Mesis. That agreement was to not publicly make any disparaging remarks about either ISPLA or NCISS. Our two organizations are not the only ones protecting the interests of investigative and security professionals. ASIS, NASCO and NAPBS come to mind as having an active lobbying presence in Washington. We expect to continue working with them as well on issues of mutual concern. The leaders in ISPLA, all whom play an integral role in a number of professional associations, including NCISS, rather than engage in needless debate would prefer to concentrate their activities on protecting our profession’s interests on the regulatory and legislative fronts in our Nation’s and States’ Capitols.

Below is a copy of a letter ISPLA wrote to the NCISS board which outlines its intentions.

April 17, 2009

To the NCISS Board
Francie Koehler, President

Many of us have felt for years that an entity with a formal Political Action Committee was needed to protect the interests of our profession. As reiterated in previous communication, the opportunity to align with the development of a PAC has been presented to NCISS, not only at the conference in San Diego, but by other board members on numerous, previous occasions.

The newly formed Investigative and Security Professionals for Legislative Action (ISPLA) and I are delighted to, albeit informally, inform NCISS that a non-partisan PAC has been formed.

It is important to clarify that ISPLA is not designed, nor created to compete with, or detract from, the mission of NCISS. ISPLA encourages NCISS to join with us as a valuable resource that can only be a benefit to the Investigative and Security industries.

Many industry leaders as well as some state associations and their leadership are supporting the establishment of ISPLA. Full details and a formal proposal of the PAC association will be forthcoming in the coming weeks for NCISS and other professional associations’ participation.

ISPLA and I look forward to working with NCISS leadership, its newly appointed legislative committee, and those members who have expressed a willingness to join us in this initiative. ISPLA and I will continue to assist NCISS, Larry Sabbath, and other industry lobbyists going forward in our legislative endeavors.

Over the years there have been a number of significant legislative and regulatory issues and projects identified in my NCISS legislative reports, which have benefited not only NCISS but other associations representing segments of our industry. ISPLA leadership, its members, and I will continue to be an integral participant in numerous ongoing projects affecting the industry.

I trust NCISS will support and participate with us in a cooperative spirit for the advancement of the private investigation and private security industries.

Respectfully,

Bruce H. Hulme, CFE
ISPLA Legislative Affairs Director

It should not go unnoticed that members of ISPLA have served on the NCISS board, playing an active role, (some for as many as 33 years and including two past presidents and chairmen of the board,) and contributing to the legislative successes of NCISS. These same members of ISPLA have been advocating that NCISS form a non-partisan PAC for almost a decade. However, the same people who signed the “NCISS” email strongly objected. It was not until now, when ISPLA announced its intention to form a PAC, did NCISS re-evaluate its options. Should NCISS form a PAC, and we certainly hope it that it will, ISPLA’s presence will have been the motivating factor for such a decision. We have no reservations if another political action committee is formed by representatives of our industry. ASIS has one and NASCO is considering one, and we do not believe that theirs will diminish the effectiveness of ISPLA’s.

We also noted that in a recent email message being circulated by the NCISS president, she falsely stated that the identities of ISPLA organizers were not known. The names of ISPLA’s organizers have been posted on our website http://www.ispla.org since its formation and in a number of email announcements. She well knows that all of the 11 members of the ISPLA executive committee are NCISS members and that 6 also serve on the NCISS board.

Our website has included an announcement of the NCISS Hit-the-Hill fall campaign in DC. Until recently, that event was chaired by a member of the ISPLA executive committee, the same individual who chaired the successful NCISS/NALI Joint Hit-the-Hill last year! Unfortunately, the NCISS president and her executive committee recently removed that chair unilaterally and without board approval. ISPLA encourages its members to attend this September’s NCISS Hit-the-Hill campaign in DC. It will be the presence of ISPLA members that will help make that campaign a success!

What presently distinguishes ISPLA from NCISS will be ISPLA’s PAC along with an extensive state legislative watch system, a major benefit to its members. ISPLA’s leadership includes past chairmen, presidents, national directors, legislative chairs and board members of not only NCISS, but NALI, INTELLENET and a number of state investigative and security professional associations. They have and will continue to serve in various leadership capacities in all of these organizations as well as in ASIS, where they have served on key committees. They do not view the existence or presence of any of those associations as diluting the financial resources or lessening the effectiveness of ISPLA. Nor should NCISS and the signers of the recent message expressing concern that ISPLA will diminish its financial resources and their erroneous claim that there should be one voice representing this industry.

There are philosophical differences between the two organizations on how they approach their work dealing with legislation and running an association, but that does not mean the mission of ISPLA is not righteous. For example, ISPLA believes all opinions are important, even when they disagree with the leadership. ISPLA members will not have their voices censored on a moderated listserv nor will they be required to be present to vote for its leaders due to an electronic voting mechanism in place for all members

Since its recent formation, ISPLA’s leadership has continued to monitor federal and state legislation, met with allied industries and stakeholders having mutual concerns with proposed federal regulations and legislation, and acted as a resource to the media, government officials and legislators. ISPLA has the capability of utilizing its experienced members in an expeditious and expert manner, with full disclosure and transparency of its actions, listening to opposing points of view, all while inviting input in a free exchange of information. We do not ask our members to cancel their membership, dues or involvement in other similar professional associations. Nor will ISPLA refrain from asking all colleagues to consider joining it. The $99 annual dues will be gratefully received. Go to http://www.ispla.org for information about our mission and please consider joining. Thank you.

Bruce Hulme, ISPLA Director of Government Affairs
Past NCISS President and Legislative Director
Email: brucehulme@yahoo.com
Tel: (212) 962 4054
Our Pledge to You:
• Improve Image
• Strategic Counsel
• Political Action
• Legislative Watch
• Alliances Formed
Become a part of a network of professionals in the investigative and security industries that will represent your best interests at the State and Federal levels. http://WWW.ISPLA.ORG

ISPLA was founded by an outstanding group of individuals. I appreciate their initiative and am saddened by the grief they have been encountering. In my opinion, it appears NCISS feels threatened by ISPLA and that is unfortunate. I recommend that we stand behind both organization and allow them to fight legislation on our behalf.

Kevin Martin
Private Investigator