About BFMA
BFMA is the only professional body in the world supporting those who work with forms. The Association's remit spans the full spectrum of roles relating to forms, including:
- administrators
- managers
- analysts
- designers
- developers
- software vendors
- printers and distributors.
BFMA has a long and respected history. It was established in 1958 in North America and has since spread across the world. Members and leaders of the Association have included most if not all the internationally recognised experts in the field of forms, including Australia's very own, the late, great Robert Barnett of Robert Barnett and Associates.
What BFMA has to offer
If you work with forms on a daily basis, you'll know that there are a lot of organisations and forums that touch on forms topics occasionally, or as just one part of what they do. This can make it very challenging to keep your professional skills and knowledge current.
Do you join the association for printers or the one for business analysts? What about forums on web development and standards, or perhaps those discussion lists about design products? Maybe that conference on market research, online retail or e-business might offer some value?
BFMA solves these dilemmas by bringing everything to do with forms together in the one place. By becoming a BFMA member, you get access to:
- a wide variety of education and networking events, both local and international, including an annual Symposium;
- the member mailing list and discussion forum;
- a formal accreditation program; and
- the BFMA bookstore;
either free or at significantly reduced rates.
Membership starts at just $US175 per year, with discounts for multiple members from one organisation.
What has Formulate got to do with BFMA?
Jessica Enders, Principal of Formulate Information Design, is the coordinator for the Australasia and Pacific Region of BFMA (otherwise known as Region 8).
Jessica took up this role in 2008 after recognising there is considerable activity around forms in Australia, some of it leading the rest of the world. As such, she felt it was important that there be a strong local network of forms professionals, able to discuss issues and ideas particular to our specific context.
At the time of writing, BFMA members in Region 8 come from all over Australia as well as south east Asia and even Hawaii. Given how far apart many of these members are from each other geographically, Region 8 meetings are held using a BFMA sponsored conference line and web meeting software.
These (completely voluntary, and free) meetings are an hour long and happen every two months. The meetings usually centre around a presentation on a topic of interest to members, so that they deliver real value. Past topics have included:
- recent developments in forms-related print technology;
- forms management best practice;
- cutting red tape with SmartForms;
- history of electronic data reporting in the Australian Bureau of Statistics; and
- learnings from designing forms for Centrelink for 20 years.
There is also often an opportunity for members to discuss any current challenges and generally “pick each others’ brains” in a safe and friendly environment.
Want more information, or to become a member?
For more information about what BFMA has to offer, download the BFMA Member Benefits booklet (PDF, 556kB) or visit the BFMA website.
If you're ready to become a member, you can join up online at http://www.bfma.org/general/register_member_type.asp or contact BFMA using the details below.
If you're located in Australasia or the Pacific, you can also contact Jessica to learn more or ask a question about BFMA.
BFMA contact details
| Email: | bfma@bfma.org |
|---|---|
| Website: | www.bfma.org |
| Telephone: | +1 (402) 216-0479 (from outside the United States) |
| (888) 367-3078 (from inside the United States, toll free) |
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| Fax: | +1 (877) 204-5979 |
| Postal address: | 3800 Old Cheney Road Suite 101-285 Lincoln, NE 68516-5901 United States |