GRAND RAPIDS ? The GLIMA Network, about to undergo a major name change and face lift, has lost one of its founding chapters, the former GLIMAWest, now called AimWest.

The separation, begun last August when the GLIMA Network sent internal messages to its eight chapters statewide, culminated with the official split this month. Both sides have sent emails to the West Michigan chapter members explaining their positions.

The official announcement of the big changes at the GLIMA Network will be made next Thursday when the November GLIMA Connections eNewsletter is published.

John Mason, president of AimWest, said he is sorry to end the seven-year relationship with the GLIMA Network, but the terms demanded for continued affiliation were more than the West Michigan chapter could handle.

?The contract required all decisions to be approved by a board made up of people who all resided in Southeast Michigan,? Mason said. ?We could see where this was going. We had tried to continue this relationship with Automation Alley. But unless we agreed to all the stipulations, we could not.?

Danielle DeLonge, the GLIMA Network Manager, said she too is sorry to see the West Michigan chapter leave the organization. She disagreed with the characterization of the contract talks as outlined by Mason.

?It?s unfortunate, as many of the things he stated were inaccurate. I can tell you that what provides the most benefits to our members is working together statewide,? she said. ?Our Kalamazoo chapter will welcome our former Grand Rapids members who want to go there. But we?ve already received some interest from individuals in the Grand Rapids area who want to start a new chapter.?

Mason said the former GLIMA West had decided long ago to change its name, since the GLIMA name was confusing to many members and potential members. Other than the name change, AimWest will function exactly as the former GLIMA West did by offering networking and training events for IT professionals.

For more information about AimWest, click on AimWest.Org

For more information about GLIMA, click on GLIMANetwork

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