Associations: Who is Your Customer?

By |2023-11-02T13:16:11-05:00November 2nd, 2023|

Who is your customer? How straight forward and easy a question is this for your association?   For some associations, this is easy, members. For others it isn’t as simple, so Boards need to stop, assess, and ask this important question.   Associations spend money on strategic planning. Post pandemic, strategic [...]

Association Management Company = Dream Team

By |2023-10-25T11:09:32-05:00October 25th, 2023|

The association’s long-time executive director who managed every aspect of the professional association, is leaving and to fulfill this role, the association’s Board of Directors has hired an association management company (AMC). But what does this mean? How will it benefit membership? And will it be expensive? Just a [...]

Importance of Key Message Training for an Association’s Board of Directors

By |2023-10-19T10:59:06-05:00October 19th, 2023|

Key message training for an association’s Board of Directors is often thought as a tactic when the organization is in crisis communications mode. But the fact is, it is an essential aspect of effective communications and governance. It helps to ensure Board members are all on the same page [...]

The Association Coordinator – A Vital Role Part Two

By |2023-10-11T12:46:16-05:00October 11th, 2023|

Welcome back to part two of The Association Coordinator – A Vital Role. Association coordinators play a pivotal role in the success and smooth functioning of various organizations, be it professional associations, non-profits, or industry groups. Their responsibilities range from managing memberships to organizing events, ensuring effective communications, and [...]

Being Present as an Association Leader Right Here, Right Now

By |2023-09-07T12:31:16-05:00July 20th, 2023|

As a volunteer association leader, being present is not just about being seen, and physically showing up to wave the flag at your association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), or Conference, it’s about being fully engaged in the moment.  What Does it Mean to Be Present?  Being present refers to [...]

Recognizing the Value of Board Members as Volunteers

By |2023-07-06T09:56:07-05:00June 22nd, 2023|

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart." – Elizabeth Andrew.  Recently I saw a post on an association's member forum with a negative comment about the Board of Directors and the perks they receive. It shocked me that association members may not see or understand [...]

The Value of Association Values

By |2023-06-15T11:14:55-05:00June 15th, 2023|

Young people increasingly prioritize working for, buying from, and involving themselves with companies and organizations that align with their values [1], [2]. Values are important for associations, too, creating the foundation of strategy and providing clear expectations around behaviours and decision-making.   I know first-hand the consequences of not [...]

Maximizing an Association’s Service Delivery

By |2023-04-28T08:11:10-05:00April 27th, 2023|

I recently took part in an association’s strategic planning session. The goal of the session was to create a three-year strategic plan. During the session, four priority areas were outlined by the association’s leaders. One of the priorities was to Maximize Service Delivery, which is defined as ‘to improve [...]

Recruit the Youth: Association Board Leadership

By |2023-04-20T12:20:54-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Association Boards must be constantly evolving and advancing to stay relevant in their respective industries. This article explains why the youth takeover should now be embraced and appreciated by association Boards and their long-time leaders, and how engaging the youth can only improve an association’s future.  Youth are often [...]

The Importance of Fostering Relationships Between an Association’s Board & Staff

By |2023-04-13T10:52:08-05:00April 13th, 2023|

“The unique and multifaceted relationship between the board and its executive is perhaps the most important relationship leading to organizational success or failure. Like the two partners in a skating competition, each side can either bring out the best in the other or prevent the other from skating well.” [...]

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