My Take On The Bloggers Association

Update 3/8/11 [2] : Sign-up  sheet for those who wish to be founding members of the bloggers association is up

In my opinion, it is still pre-mature for a blogger to decide whether s/he is “in or out” of the bloggers association. While there is no need to have a majority to form an organization, soliciting participation of the silent majority and getting involve as many bloggers  in the deliberation is good for the mandate of the organization . Better to sort out first the acceptable from those that is highly divisive issues and let stakeholders suggest alternatives.  Let’s give everyone the opportunity to speak its mind for a time being then move forward .

From there, I think stakeholders can have a clear perspective on the association and can make an intelligent decision whether they want in or out.

Update 3/7/11 [1] : Tonyo responds to the issue

Disclosure:

1. I did not receive a copy of the manifesto
2. I offered my help in the planning stage if needed when the idea was floated last month or January [not sure, sorry] from  a blog post
3. I am not interested for a seat or position, if it pushes thru, for conflict of interest [I am also a marketer and entrepreneur]

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With the purpose to arrive on a consensus, allow me to add my voice on the hottest issue today in PH blogosphere. I will present my thoughts from the perspective of a person who once seated behind a powerful desk who exert all efforts to keep the employees  ”unorganized”. Dealing with employees of a unionized company is stressful. If you don’t agree with me, go and interview the management of PAL.

Why would I want to deal with an unorganized group? Let me share with you the beauty of it:

1. A group is a force to reckon with.
2. Talking to an individual is way easier than that of a group.
3. You can keep them divided since there is no “collective stand”.
4. The level of satisfaction of each individual differ from each other, thus, engagement to person A does not mean the same engagement will be given to person B, even though both gives the same output.

Being organized is an employee issue, though it is guaranteed by the constitution, capitalists avoids it. But capitalists need not  lift a finger to keep the employees from forming a union because employees themselves are divided. Except in situations where there is gross abuse and manipulation of employee’s rights, majority of employees would prefer to remain unorganized. As an individual, they can directly present their agenda to management, if unionized, other interests come in.

Now going back to the bloggers association, is there a need for one? The answer to that depends on these points:

1. Do bloggers need protection from abuse and manipulation? From whom and why?
2. Do bloggers need a collective stand? Can it be binding then?
3. Are bloggers willing to be represented? At what cost?
4. Assuming the above 3 are met, will the other parties/ groups recognize the association?

What’s in the name?

The name to be adopted should only represent the group it seeks to represent. If national, does it have a mandate, as what Benj pointed out. If professional, does it mean those that do not belong to the group are amateurs? To those who use blogging for a living, are they willing to adopt the title “commercial” bloggers  to distinguish them from those who do it out of passion and fun?

What type of group should be formed?

It depends on the need, in a corporate set-up, there are two levels. The 1st type is more of consultative group. No negotiating power, and capitalists are more open to this type of group.  The 2nd type is what they try to avoid- labor union. It has the power to represent the employees and present a collective  stand. It has the power to enter into an agreement, the one called CBA or collective bargaining agreement. And it has the power to call for a strike.

Though I am not sure of the type of associations the bloggers can choose from, but it will be prudent to choose what will best address the need, if there is one.

Now what is my take on the issue?

As a blogger, I am not against forming a formal group provided the objective is commensurate to the group it seeks to represent, there is a “pressing” need and the group they seek to represent agrees. Each blogger have diverse interests and different needs, thus, no single group can claim they represent the whole.

But as an entrepreneur, I prefer dealing with individual bloggers for practical reasons.

A few days ago in a tweet discussion with some friends,  Carlo mentioned that bloggers of a South East Asian neighbor  succeeded in incorporating an association but failed in mustering the support of the bloggers it seeks to unite and represent. After a 2-3 months, the association died. I am in touch with the incorporators to learn a few lessons from their experience. After reading their story, their situation is exactly similar to what we are going thru right now.

Learning from the errors they committed [in the process] can help the organizers succeed.

Are you in or are you out?

Read what others has to say about the issue:

• Janette Toral
• Jayvee Fernandez
• Juned Sumido
• Mommy Bloggers Club
• Bloggie Robillo
• Benj Espina
• Julius Rocas
• Carlo Ople
• Manuel Viloria
• Ria Jose
• Noemi Dado
• Blogwatch
• Aileen Apollo
• Regnard Racodan
• Mark Rimorim
• Markuu Seguerra