Association accounting is an area that may be confusing to some because the standards are slightly different than for a typical for-profit business. Not-for-profit associations can be run similarly to for-profit businesses in that they both have revenue, expenses, clients, directors, employees, etc. Yet, there are some key differences [...]

What is a graphic standards guide? A graphic-standards guide, (which can also be knowns as a brand style guide,  brand identity guide, corporate identity guide, etc., etc.) gives an overview, best use practices, and examples for the visual identity of your brand. Contents of a standards guide can include direction [...]

I am frequently asked, “What is it that you do for work?”. When I tell people I work for Strauss Event and Association Management in an administrative position, I usually get a blank stare. Then, I explain what an association management company is, and what my role is within [...]

Member retention is very important for the long-term viability of every association (we discussed this in a previous article that can be found at: https://strauss.ca/introducing-association-members-new-membership-feature/ ). Figuring out how to retain members can be daunting at times as it is always important to remember that you want quality members [...]

Change is a broad concept for associations and association leaders to work through. The world is changing at an alarming pace, which is affecting the way that boards and association leaders operate in many ways. I recently attended a session put on by the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian [...]

Professional associations and colleges often require members to maintain continuing education points (CEPs) throughout their career to ensure that they remain current in their knowledge and are aware of technological, practical, and scientific advancements in their industry. To avoid losing their professional designation, members are required to earn a [...]

We are now living in a frequently evolving world where there are constant changes taking place all the time, all around us. Having easy, quick access to information that will help individuals in their industry and careers is of utmost importance to ensure that the highest standards are met, [...]

Has the performance of your association been thoroughly evaluated? How do you know if it is time to begin the process of progressing your association into a high-performance association? High-performance associations possess the following key characteristics: The vision and mission of the association are owned and shared by all [...]

Associations are tempting targets for hackers. The two most valuable assets that make associations tempting targets for hackers are lists of members that often include date of birth and credit card numbers. Your association, if it collects more detailed personal information, may be an especially tempting target for hackers [...]

Everyone has room to grow when it comes to learning more about their workplace and environment. While some people may choose to get by with minimal knowledge of their surroundings, it is my belief that one should not simply be aware and attempt to get by, but instead, truly [...]