January 24, 1994
TO: ICI EDUCATION FOUNDATION BOARD NO. 1-94
RE: DISTRIBUTION POLICY FOR ICIEF MATERIALS
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As indicated in the previous memo (No. 12-93, December 23, 1993), interest
in the Foundation's program is growing beyond its intended constituency,
secondary-school teachers.
At present, distribution of the introductory secondary-school video and
supplementary materials is restricted to those teachers in pilot cities who
participate in training workshops and who agree to evaluate the pilot program.
Teacher training and feedback are critical components of the program. Both
secondary-school teachers and senior contacts at ICI member organizations who
were interviewed as part of ICIEF's research emphasized the importance of teacher
training to ensure that materials are used effectively. Feedback is essential for
tracking the program's acceptance.
To help assure that Foundation materials are used only in an educational
context, none has been cleared through NASD for sales purposes. Moreover, many
teachers have indicated distaste for information presented in connection with
what they perceive to be a sales pitchCto the extent that such information is
not presented again.
Many ICI member companies are active in local school systems in a number
of waysCfor example, as school board members, as sponsors of different programs
and activities, and as guest lecturers in the classroom. Several member
organizations have inquired about using ICIEF materials. It is clear from
discussions with interested individuals that, absent guidelines, in some
instances Foundation materials would be incorporated into product-specific
presentations both inside and outside the classroom, possibly jeopardizing the
Foundation's credibility. In other instances, materials would be turned over to
local schools, undercutting both the pilot approachCwhich limits distribution
to selected citiesCas well as the Foundation's teacher training and feedback
objectives.
On the other hand, if we limit distribution to teacher trainees only, we
lose the good will of ICI members who would use the materials for their intended
purpose, and fail to capitalize on opportunities to build support.
In addition, a few securities professionals from nonmember firms have
inquired about using ICIEF materials. Unrestricted distribution clearly conflicts
with the pilot approach and would almost certainly result in inappropriate use
of the materials, inadequate teacher training, and inability to track how, where,
and with what success the program is being used. Without this information,
program evaluation is questionable, and updates and revisions are more difficult
to implement.
In preparation for our meeting in Nevis, attached is a recommended
distribution policy which bars any use by nonmembers (excluding teachers) and
attempts to encourage ICI member use of ICIEF materials for their intended
purpose, while providing for teacher training and feedback.
***This memo was composed and mailed on January 18, 1994. Due to system problems
and power shortages, it could not be registered to the system until January 24,
1994.