CBODN's Board of Directors unanimously decided to pursue a name change for CBODN. While we recognize the legacy and established recognition over 25 years, as well as the ODN connection, we determined that the benefits of a name change appear to outweigh the costs (and we will gather data on that). Our list of reasons in support of a name change include:
* Too long
* Hard to remember
* Not catchy
* "Chesapeake Bay" is confusing/misleading -- people think we are connected with environmental efforts to save the bay
* "Network" is too informal
* The name is stagnant, old, outdated
* "OD" is not understood or recognized (e.g., the function is often called something else in organizations -- Organization Effectiveness, Systems Improvement, HRD) * NOTE: mixed thoughts and differing opinions about this, need to seek input and data
* The current name limits our expansion and impacts branding ability
Some qualities we identified that we'd like to include in a new name:
* Short
* Not too many syllables
* Easy to remember
* Not restrictive geographically
* Acronym need not be pronounced as a word
* Not already taken by another organization; Available URL
* Pizzazz factor; Distinctive; Cachet
We need to obtain member input and buy-in, as well as collect data and do some benchmarking with other organizations and possibly non-members in our various stakeholder groups (government, university, corporate). This will be a thorough, careful, and strategic process.
What do you think? What are your ideas for our new name? We will seek member input through our member survey, during our upcoming conference, and at other touch points along the way.
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