AITP began as the National Machine Accountants Association back in the 1950s, and an active chapter was formed in Jackson at this time. With the advent of powerful, mainframe computers and the accompanying staffs, the name was soon changed to DPMA (Data Processing Management Association) to focus more on the processing of all types of data. However, with the proliferation of personal and mid-range computers, this name also became dated, and effective in 1997 the association members changed its name to AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals).

The Jackson AITP Chapter now consists of over fifty members of varied backgrounds, from college professors to attorneys. Anyone with any interest in the information arena is welcome to join and contribute to the knowledge of the entire membership, in addition to sharing in the many benefits of the organization. Our dues are $115.00 per year and include membership in the national AITP association, as well as a subscription to Information Executive, the national newsletter.

Regular luncheon meetings of the Jackson Chapter are held the third Tuesday of every month, except December. These meetings are currently held at the Capital Club in the Capital Towers building (125 South Congress Street) in downtown Jackson, and usually include a speaker or program of current interest in the information processing field.

The purpose of the local chapter is to contribute to the professional benefit of the members and their employers, and also to benefit the information industry, both business and educational, in our local community. The benefits to the members are both professional and social, and are too numerous to list all here. However, this chapter has conducted a three-day, hands-on workshop in Jackson on cabling, which benefited participants from many parts of this state. The Jackson Chapter, in coordination with the national association, has sponsored nine live interactive televideo conferences by satellite. These conferences covered state-of-the-art material, such as The Internet, Workgroup Computing, and Using Multi-Media for Education and Business.

In the community, this chapter currently sponsors three student AITP chapters, at Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Delta State University, and serves as an important bridge between the academic and business sectors for these students. We have for many years awarded a scholarship to local deserving students entering the study of information management. Our members serve as teachers and on advisory boards at several local junior and senior colleges. AITP created the computer merit badge program for the Boy Scouts of America in 1968, and has assisted with the local Junior Achievement program. Annually, we present an award to a Mississippian and chapter member for outstanding contributions to the field of information processing. Award recipients include former Governor William Winter, Dr. Arthur C. Guyton, Dr. Donald Zacharias, and MTEL chief John Palmer.

Due to these activities and many more, the Jackson AITP Chapter has been awarded the Chapter Outstanding Performance Award (COPA) many times, and has claimed the Most Outstanding Chapter Award in Region 3.

For more information and/or a membership application, contact Kenneth McCardle kmccardle@sfbcic.com at (601) 957-4352 or Jim McCraw jmccraw@dis.umsmed.edu at (601) 984-1142.