NATOA BEGINS SECOND DECADE
OF SERVICE FOR YOU

By SUSAN HERMAN, NATOA President
General Manager, City of Los Angeles

Only a few short years ago, telecommunications at the local level meant the franchising and use of cable television to deliver clearer reception. Today the picture has changed dramatically. Cable technology has brought us to the gateway of sophisticated two-way communications, diverse and locally based programming, and institutional, community-wide information sharing networks. The result is a potential for unprecedented services for your citizens and significant improvement in local administration and delivery of services in your communities.

At the same time, advances in technology and major changes in the regulatory environment, particularly with regard to the telephone industry, give local officials a tremendous new challenge: to integrate cable and other technologies effectively into a complete telecommunications infrastructure. To meet the challenge, local officials will need to stay abreast of technological, legislative, and regulatory developments; to fashion new approaches to franchising, upgrades and renewals; and to understand how cable and other telecommunications technologies can actually be used for the maximum benefit of our communities and the people who live in them.

These tasks will involve the sharing and dissemination of information, networking with colleagues and other telecommunications experts, and keeping pace with constantly shifting public needs and expectations. These tasks are the assigned concerns of one or more persons in every local government.

If you are one of these people, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors is for you.

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, an affiliate of the National League of Cities, is a professional organization serving consumers through city and county governments and regional authorities in the development, regulation and administration of cable television and other telecommunications systems. Organized in 1981, it has over 500 member jurisdictions, holds a major annual conference and regional conferences, publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, maintains a speakers bureau and represents its members at Congressional hearings and in regulatory proceedings.

Major objectives are to

• be an effective voice for local government through legal and legislative actions;

• advocate for consumers and the public interest on cable and telecommunications matters;

• share information and experience on what local governments are doing in cable and other forms of telecommunications;

• sponsor conferences and training sessions on issues and developments in telecommunications that impact local governments;

• provide education, training, information, and technical assistance to its membership;

• research local government needs in the use, development, and regulation of cable and telecommunications systems;

• keep the membership up to date on legal, regulatory, and technological developments;

• provide a forum for open and balanced discussion and debate of controversial telecommunications issues; and

• communicate cooperatively with other professional organizations for the overall improvement of communication services to the public.

If you are a full-time cable administrator, telecommunications professional, elected official, appointed commissioner, or student in communications, NATOA can benefit you.

NATOA can be your source of ready expertise and assistance through the newsletter, conferences, training sessions, legislative updates, networking, and other contacts with cable and telecommunications professionals throughout the country. Regardless of your position, NATOA can be your source. For additional information please contact, Vicki Williams, NATOA Administrative Officer, at (202) 626-3160, National League of Cities, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. •

October 1991 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 13