NAPM Name Change - Q & A

Q. Why change NAPM’s name?
A. Never has the profession changed more rapidly than it is now. In virtually all organizations, discussions are taking place that will move more and more transactions out of supply management. We must shed the image that “purchasing equals transactions.” The leaders in our field are growing the profession into areas that are broader and even yet not fully defined.

Q. What do we want to accomplish with a new name?
A. Several things. As referred to earlier, we want to help position the association as a leader in strategic thinking regarding supply management. The Board has decided that we will admit non-U.S. based affiliates. This suggests that the word “national” in NAPM may be inappropriate. Finally, our educational efforts are rapidly changing to a supply management focus. Our name should reflect this.

Q. Why not follow APICS’ lead and just change our name to NAPM with some sort of a tag line?
A. Most people still think of APICS as the American Production and Inventory Control Society. Its name change has not helped to reposition the society. It may in the long term, but it will be a very long time.

Q. Aren’t we walking away from a name that has significant recognition and, therefore, value?
A. Not really. No one is suggesting we close on Friday as NAPM and open on Monday with a new name. The Board of Directors has directed the NAPM staff to prepare a transition plan for the name change. This plan is to be ready for the November Board meeting. It will highlight a metamorphosis to a new name. The plan will be widely shared with the membership.

Q. Are affiliates going to be asked to change their names?
A. Affiliates are free to do as they choose. There are 12 affiliates who call themselves the “Purchasing Management Association of ____.” This choice leaves each affiliate the right and opportunity to decide for itself what name it wishes to use.

Q. What about the C.P.M. and A.P.P. programs?
A. Because the national name is changing and because of the reasons for it, a change in one or both program names is likely. However, more than a name change would be involved. Certification must reflect what our members do and thus are required to know. Before details on this are worked out, it makes sense to be sure NAPM is indeed changing its name.

Q. Who decides if the name will change?
A. Each and every Regular member will have a direct voice through a direct vote on the name change and proposed name.

Q. What is the proposed name?
A. Institute for Supply Management.

Q. Why that name?
A. “Institute” connotes education, research, cutting-edge activities, and dissemination, which remain the organization’s primary mission. The name has no geographical limits. Supply is what the profession is all about. Managing a reliable flow and availability of important goods and services is what we do. “Institute” is a widely accepted word globally for other associations. Eighty percent of the national organizations in the world that use English in their names include the word “institute.” This includes the second, third, and fourth largest supply-management-related associations in the world.

Q. How can I provide input to this process?
A. Several ways:

• Write, fax, or email your district director.
• Write, fax, or email NAPM President Dick Bradshaw,     C.P.M., A.P.P. (dbradshaw@napm.org)
• Vote when the issue is presented to the membership.