Association Management articles from February 2004

Association Management archives from February 2004

Charities may face scrutiny.(Briefly)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Charities may face scrutiny. Recent reports suggest a growing congressional interest in potential wrong-doing in the charitable sector. Tax Analysts quoted an unnamed Senate Finance Committee staffer as saying members of the committee are "very...

CAE exam results are in.(Briefly)(Certified Association Executive)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... CAE exam results are in. Congratulations to the 98 association executives who earned the Certified Association Executive designation in December's testing. See the March issue of ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT for a list of the winter class of CAEs.

ASAE to hold legislative fly-in.(Briefly)(American Society of Association Executives)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ASAE to hold legislative fly-in. ASAE will hold its annual legislative fly-in program, American Associations Day, March 31-April 1. This two-day event brings key association advocates to Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional leaders...

IRS to scrutinize nonprofit reporting.(Briefly)( Internal Revenue Service)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... IRS to scrutinize nonprofit reporting. According to the Bureau of National Affairs, Steve Miller, the Internal Revenue Service's exempt organizations director, will be setting up a 20-person unit to look for reporting problems in the nonprofit...

ASAE, its Foundation, GWSAE, and center agree on consolidation concept.(Headlines)
February 1, 2004... Consolidation and opportunity would replace competition and redundancy under a concept agreed upon January 15 by the four respective boards of ASAE, the ASAE Foundation, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, and The Center...

Conference explores governance practices.(Headlines)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... With a framework drawn by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (which applies to public companies), increased scrutiny of nonprofit organizations, and the nonprofit community's predisposition to self-regulate, the discussion among the roughly 150...

New law Cans Spam.(Headlines)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... As expected, President Bush has signed into law the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, creating the first federal restrictions on unsolicited commercial e-mail. Later this year, the Federal Trade Commission will set regulations implementing the law and...

Campaign finance Reform upheld.(Headlines)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court voted to uphold key provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. The law bans soft-money contributions, political donations made in such a way as to avoid federal regulations, to federal...

2004 Fellows selected.(Briefly)(appointment of Donald D. Dea, Joseph C. Isaacs, David J. Noonan, and Deborah L. Sexton to American Society of Association Executives.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... 2004 Fellows selected. Four thought leaders in the association and supplier communities have been named to ASAE's 2004 class of Fellows. The newest Fellows are Donald D. Dea, cofounder, Fusion Productions, Webster, New York; Joseph C. Isaacs,...

Political donations through payroll deduction?(Briefly)(american society of association executives)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Political donations through payroll deduction? ASAE recently filed a letter with the Federal Election Commission urging the agency to grant a petition for rulemaking submitted by America's Community Bankers and allow corporate members of trade...

FCC sends message to junk faxers.(Briefly)(Federal Communications Commission fined faxers for violating the rules.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... FCC sends message to junk faxers. Early last month, the Federal Communications Commission issued an almost $5.4 million fine to Fax.com for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 on 489 separate occasions. The California-based...

Loyalty is a two-way street.(Preview)(Editorial)
February 1, 2004... A few months ago I was the victim of credit card fraud. OK, the stakes were low, but somehow a company I'd never heard of and an amount I'd never authorized--about $116--found their way onto my credit card statement. I called American Express...

Adding value to the Legal Section.(American Society of Association Executives )
February 1, 2004... In addition to providing a long list of products and services as well as critical government and public relations outreach, an important means by which ASAE creates member value is through its professional interest sections. As is the case with...

People cause change.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I very much enjoyed reading Ms. Oliveri's literary contribution to ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT magazine ("Recalibrating Normal," December 2003, page 24). Things change because people change things, and her perspective was a refreshing angle at...

Why merge when you can start fresh?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... In the article "A Partnership Continuum" (November 2003, page 54), the authors talk about different types of "strategic restructuring." In our experience, the most successful and innovative option is not directly described in the...

Safe practices for association legal hotlines.(Legal)
February 1, 2004... Nonprofit membership organizations often respond to members' inquiries on legal issues by way of legal hotlines. Should lawyers staffing these hotlines be careful to only provide legal information to inquiring members? Or are they safe in...

Promoting Ski safety.(Service Salute)(educational campaign )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Making skiing and snowboarding safer for children is the goal of an educational campaign launched last year by the National Ski Areas Association, Lakewood, Colorado. NSAA's "Lids on Kids" program promotes safety on the slopes and encourages...

Hone your listening skills.(Professional Development)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Have you ever interacted with a staff member only to suddenly realize that you don't know what the person just said? Often, when we appear to be listening, we are not listening at all. Because we do so much listening in our lives, we can...

Overcoming age bias.(executive insights)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Findings from a survey conducted by ExecuNet, Norwalk, Connecticut, suggest that job-seeking older executives face considerable challenges. Seventy-two percent of executives surveyed believe that age discrimination has increased across the past...

Telecommuting doesn't change employee status.(Legal)
February 1, 2004... Q: An assistant editor in our publications department wants to work from home, performing the same full-time job she did in our office. Can we treat her as an independent contractor for employment-tax purposes? A: No. The place where work...

Renovations upsurge predicted.(Hospitality Industry)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The hospitality and leisure practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, New York City, predicts that hotels will spend $3 billion on renovations this year. Improvements in guest-room design in 2004 are expected to include better-quality bedding,...

Optimism for business travel.(Data Dispatch)(predications)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Optimism for business travel. This year will mark the beginning of a recovery in business travel, predicts the National Business Travel Association, Alexandria, Virginia, which foresees an increase in corporate meeting and convention budgets....

Power of the pearly whites.(Data Dispatch)(smiling face of Sales representatives makes difference)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Power of the pearly whites. Sales representatives who smile at trade shows can expect a fourfold increase in the number of contacts they make, according to Incomm Research, Chicago. Eighty percent of those surveyed perceive a positive message...

The vanishing lunch hour.(Data Dispatch)(lunch hour surveys)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The vanishing lunch hour. The average time taken for lunch is now 42 minutes, according to a survey of 150 executives conducted by Office Team, Menlo Park, California. Nearly one third of respondents said that time spent on lunch had decreased...

Demographic update.(Data Dispatch)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Demographic update. U.S. employment of Hispanics increased 76 percent between 1990 and 2001, according to Catalyst, New York City. To make the most of this segment of the workforce, Catalyst urges managers to educate themselves about the...

Earnings up for technical communicators.(Data Dispatch)(salaries)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Earnings up for technical communicators. The mean salary for U.S. technical writers and editors rose to $61,730 in 2003, up from $59,700 in 2002, says the Society for Technical Communication, Arlington, Virginia.

Danger-sign checklist.(Marketing)(short-term thinking)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Focusing too much on immediate results at the expense of thinking long term? John Graham, president of Graham Communications, Quincy, Massachusetts, provides 10 danger signs that you're immersing yourself and your organization in short-term...

Law removes worry from Lobbying.(Government Affairs)
February 1, 2004... A recent Washington Post article, "The Lobbying Law Is More Charitable Than They Think," sheds light on a little-known law that specifies the amount that 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can spend on lobbying. In his study of 1,700 nonprofit,...

Unscheduled absenteeism plummets.(human resource)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Workers, perhaps because they are reluctant to take too much time off in a tight job market, aren't calling in sick at the last minute much anymore. Unscheduled absenteeism fell to its lowest rate in 13 years--1.9 percent in...

Builders help save Thanksgiving.(Lending a Hand)
February 1, 2004... When an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike last November destroyed 17,000 pounds of holiday groceries bound for needy families, the Builders League of South Jersey, Cherry Hill, came to the rescue. The trade association of 500 companies based...

Avoiding speed bumps.(Time Management)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... As an association executive, you're juggling projects, staff, meetings, committees, board issues, and complaints. But you also have to maneuver the speed bumps, situations that keep you from spending time productively. Here are some speed bumps...

Nonprofit board policies.(Governance)(survey reports)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The rash of corporate scandals--and the government's reform efforts--have not gone unnoticed by the nonprofit community. According to a new national survey by Chicago-based accounting firm Grant Thornton, approximately 20 percent of the...

SLA repositions itself.(organizational development)(Special Libraries Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The board of directors of the Special Libraries Association, Washington, D.C., recently approved new vision, mission, and core values statements. Part of SLA's strategic branding initiatives, the statements "bring a new perspective and focus to...

PMA launches digital outreach.(Public Relations)(Photo Marketing Association International)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Photo Marketing Association International, Jackson, Michigan, is marking the digital age with a public-relations-based consumer information campaign designed to help its members capitalize on the print potential of digital photography. The...

Awaiting the era of living data.(Information Management)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... It may be a decade in the offing, but management consultant and futurist Thornton A. May predicts an era of living data that grows exponentially, that will dramatically reshape business and industry. "We are a mere 10 years away from the...

Organizers rely on relationship marketing.(Trade Shows)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Confronted with a tough economic climate, trade show organizers report that they are relying more on relationship marketing strategies that seek to encourage long-term loyalty among attendees. A survey of major trade show organizers, conducted...

Building loyalty that bears fruit: in the fight for member retention, the smart organization starts with top-tier loyalists.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... DID YOU KNOW THAT 78 PERCENT OF ALL MEMBERS WHO HAVE been with your organization for more than five years will stay with you, fulfilled and content, for the rest of their lives? Well, OK, that's not exactly true. Actually, it isn't even...

Know thy loyal members.(some instructions)
February 1, 2004... When it comes to building relationships with your members, those founded on value and loyalty have the greatest likelihood of flourishing. Best of all, any organization that's willing and committed can create a base of loyal members. Here's how...

Resources.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Is your association struggling with member loyalty? If so, you're not alone. Fortunately, many resources are available to help you create lifelong members. BOOKS A New Brand World: 8 Principles for Achieving Brand Leadership, by Scott...

Getting to loyal: defining loyal is easy. Getting there is a different story.(interviews)(Interview)
February 1, 2004... ASK THE PERSON STANDING NEXT TO YOU AT THE bus stop if loyalty--among customers, employees, and members--matters, and you can be fairly certain of the answer you'll get. But how can your association get to loyal? That is a subject that authors...

Smart move: an association pulls off a headquarters relocation on a mere 100 days notice.
February 1, 2004... IMAGINE THIS: Your office building is condemned. You have 100 days to find a new space, decide whether to buy or rent, and move in. That was the challenge facing the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Alexandria, Virginia, in February 2001....

Office relocation checklist.(Office Relocation)
February 1, 2004... Relocating your association's headquarters can be time-consuming, costly, and disruptive to your operations and ability to provide continuous member service. Use this checklist to help you plan wisely and transform this potentially debilitating...

Bright lights, vibrant components: use dashboard indicators to check the health of your chapters.(Organizational Performance)
February 1, 2004... TWENTY-THREE OF THE 25 AFFILIATE GROUPS OF THE RETAILER'S Bakery Association, Laurel, Maryland, measured up to RBA's performance standards within one year of their launch as part of a new initiative to build a stronger association network. Time...

Ensuring continuity in leadership.(Organizational Performance)(Medical Group Management Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Recognizing that leadership will always be a priority for its future, the Medical Group Management Association, Engle-wood, Colorado, has made leadership a component of its dashboard indicators and created an extensive leadership development...

Survey methodology.(Organizational Performance)
February 1, 2004... To gather information relating to characteristics of effective association chapters, Mariner Management & Marketing, LLC, Laurel, Maryland, conducted in-depth phone surveys with 32 associations. Professional and trade associations, federations,...

Conquering administrative challenges.(Organizational Performance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Taking a lesson from its profession, the American College of Emergency Physicians, Irving, Texas, applied a combination of intervention and education to help chapters find a cure for their administrative challenges. After ACEP learned that its...

Pumping up member involvement.(Organizational Performance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In its dashboard analysis, the Association of Women in Communications, Severna Park, Maryland, recognized that the traditional AWC chapter did not have involvement options that fit the needs of its members. As an alternative, the association...

Partnering to provide member services.(Organizational Performance)(American College of Sports Medicine)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Confirming through its dashboard exercise that the volunteer leaders of the American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, have limited time and resources, ACSM has made a conscious effort to help chapters with programming, an important...

Running the risks: it pays to know your appetite for risk before calculating your insurance coverage.
February 1, 2004... WE'VE ALL BEEN KNOWN TO TAKE A RISK OR TWO, usually when the stakes are decidedly low. But have you ever pondered your true appetite for risk? "Life is a risk," says designer and style icon Diane von Furstenberg. Well, that might work on the...

Culture rules: management expert Oren Harari explains why culture can outweigh technology in transforming organizations.(Interview)
February 1, 2004... ROAD RUNNER, THE FREQUENTLY STALKED CARTOON CHARACTER THAT manages to outrun many an Acme explosive heading its way, hardly seems a likely candidate for the attention of Oren Harari, professor of management at the University of San Francisco,...

Convention center & CVB 2004 directory: find the perfect venue for your next meeting.(ASAE)(Directory)
February 1, 2004... With choices from Alaska to Aruba, you're sure to find just the spot for your association's next meeting in the following pages. So, go ahead--browse. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] UNITED STATES ALABAMA Alabama Gulf Coast Convention...

PROTECH CRM for Members: a dramatic shift from traditional proprietary association management software.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... PROTECH CRM for Members eliminates risks and high cost of ownership inherent in proprietary AMS applications promoted by other vendors. Built using Microsoft[R] Customer Relationship Management (CRM) using Microsoft[R]. Net connected...

Associationanywhere[TM]: building membership that fasts a lifetime.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... HOW did the National Society of Hispanic MBAs manage to successfully implement a web-based AMS system, take event registrations on-line and manage on-site registrations in 90 days? They got in touch with ACGI. When the National Society...

netFORUM, Avectra's association management software: keeping pace with CRM innovations--XML Web services, the next advancement.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... netFORUM, Avectra's association management software system, is a comprehensive Web-based solution that eliminates the barriers to information sharing and allows users to personalize their systems and control access to their information...

Solid strategies, flexible solutions: you know your organization ... we know your technology.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... design DATA the team you can trust. From Concept to Strategy to implementation Solid Strategies... Information technology forms the basis of how we communicate, work and grow. There is no time for costly experimentation or oversights....

Internet4associations: smart, affordable solutions.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... First came computer programs, next came network software, and then came the Internet. Continuum pulls it all together. A complete end-to-end solution, Continuum seamlessly merges your office and the Internet into a single solution. There's no...

NOAH from JL Systems, Inc.: empowering associations with Internet and database solutions.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... NOAH is the enterprise association management system that covers all facets of association life from the expected features of membership, committees, meetings, subscriptions, advertising, and expositions to the unexpected features of...

JZA, Inc.: purpose before product. We put clients first.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... In today's up-and-down economy, many organizations must make their funds stretch farther than ever before. At JZA, we have the experience to help nonprofit organizations and associations save money without sacrificing service or coverage. As...

Marsh Affinity Group Services: delivering insurance solutions for associations.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... Marsh's Affinity Group Services practice is a leading provider of solutions for insurance program management. We work with associations, affinity groups, and insurance carriers. We analyze, consult, design, negotiate, interface, process,...

MemberClicks: a no-brainer for small- to medium-sized associations.(Exhibitors Guide)
February 1, 2004... Duh. Some things are no-brainers: changing your socks, chewing gum, choosing MemberClicks. Whether you're an executive director, membership director, motivated board member, or the designated Web guru, MemberClicks knows you've got a tall...

New TIMSS[TM] 6 helps you build membership bonds this close: get superior Member Relationship Management (MRM)[TM] functionality on a 100% Web-based, n-tier, Microsoft.NET[TM] platform.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... New MRM-powered TIMSS[TM] 6 takes association management to the next level--the personal level. TIMSS 6 allows you to mold your application to your members' needs. So, you retain more members. Attract more new members. And sell more to members....

Aon Association Services: one-stop shopping for insurance tailored to your association's needs.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The decisions you make today will have far-reaching effects on all aspects of your association. With so much at risk, every executive should consider the insurance options available through the ASAE-sponsored Association Business Insurance...

BDO Seidman's Institute for Nonprofit Excellence; providing accounting, consulting, and technology services to associations nationwide.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BDO Seidman focuses on the distinct needs of associations, providing audits, management and technology consulting, and outsourcing as well as assistance with tax and compliance issues. The firm has created the Institute for Nonprofit...

DelCor technology solutions: award-winning people, award-winning service.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Every now and then, an IT firm brings it all together: A wide range of expertise, a broad depth of experience, and an unsurpassed standard for excellent customer service--a standard that makes going the extra distance the norm rather than the...

Hays Affinity Solutions: providing value-added insurance and risk management services.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Hays Affinity Solutions (Hays), a member of the Hays Companies, is a leading provider of insurance, risk management, technology, and financial products and services to major trade and professional associations and their members. Headquartered...

Integrated Software Solutions, Inc.: making the right AMS choice is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4.(Exhibitors Guide)(methods)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Searching for a new association management system? Integrated Software Solutions, Inc. (ISSI), would like to become your new AMS vendor. Here are four reasons why we should be an option in your AMS search: 1. Serving the association market...

Marketing General, Inc.: expanding our services to meet today's challenges.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Marketing General, Inc., North America's largest and most successful association marketing agency, has built its reputation and success on providing proven, effective direct-marketing products and services to associations of all sizes. As it...

NetOn-Line Services: empowering associations. Connecting members.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... About NetOn-Line Since 1996, NetOn-Line Services has delivered Web solutions that empower associations to cost effectively reach their audiences through a variety of Web-based tools, while being committed to customer service. Our...

Omnipress: print, CD-ROM, and online conference publications.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Today's conference publications are more complex than ever. Association executives and meeting planners face many challenges providing cost-effective, up-to-date conference publications. Typical challenges include * collecting and...

RSM McGladrey: maximizing not-for-profit operations through integration of services.(Exhibitors Guide)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Not-for-profit organizations that succeed in integrating vendors' services are more successful in reaching their goals. But it isn't easy to integrate the various services you use so that they work as an extension of your staff. ...

Association leader, Ph.D.(Education)(Union Institute & University)
February 1, 2004... Small-staff association executives often have unique challenges in gaining access to professional development opportunities. First, they often don't have the flexibility to leave their offices even for short periods of time--especially if...

Resolve to reduce your stress.(Personal Development)(methods)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Following are a few ways to manage stress when, as a small-staff executive, the multiple roles that compete for your time start to get to you. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Agree with criticism instead of getting defensive. With no...

Comprehensive knowledge made practical.(ASAE Resource)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Small-staff executives often don't have the budget to purchase books and other resources in all the various areas of association management, which can be problematic because their jack-of-all-trades status often requires them to have a...

Volunteer expenses: to pay or not to pay.(Volunteers)
February 1, 2004... Your board is meeting during your annual convention. Should you provide complimentary meeting registration to your board members? What if board members are unable to pay the registration fees as well as their travel expenses? Should you cover...

Ensuring quality service to global customers.(Customer Service)
February 1, 2004... It's difficult to discuss servicing global customers without first discussing an organization's service structure. In the absence of a dedicated service unit or department, delivering quality service will be a daunting task at best--regardless...

World Congress goes east.(Meetings)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... If you're looking for an indication that the association profession has become a truly global one, look no further than the Eighth World Congress of Association Executives (www.assnsworldcongressmla.com), a biennial gathering taking place...

CEO to CEO.
February 1, 2004... Q: What techniques and tools do you use to build community among members? We build community among our members in a variety of ways. First, more than 25 years ago, we implemented our 20 Groups program, which comprises geographically...

ASAE membership and meetings.(ASAE Resources)
February 1, 2004... For meeting registration, membership applications, and changes to your membership record, contact the ASAE Member Service Center by phone: 202-371-0940 or 888-950-ASAE; fax: 202-371-8315; or e-mail: service@asaenet.org. [ILLUSTRATION...

Get help here.(ASAE Resources)
February 1, 2004... For answers to your association management questions, contact ASAE's Information Central. Staff can provide you with statistics, models, and case studies. Call 202-626-2742; fax 202-842-1109; or e-mail infocentral@asaenet.org.

Access ASAE online.(american society of association executives Resources)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ASAE's Web site, www.asaenet.org, provides fast and convenient access to people, practices, ideas, and resources. From managing your member account to connecting online with colleagues and experts to attending educational programs right at your...

Section newsletters.(ASAE Resources)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... ASAE's 13 section newsletters provide information targeted to the specific needs of executives in special interest areas of association management. The newsletters are delivered via e-mail to members and provide links to articles on ASAE's Web...

AMC Accreditation Program.(Programs)
February 1, 2004... The AMC Accreditation Program identifies and assesses quality association management companies and improves the quality of services provided to the association community. For more information, e-mail amc-accred@asaenet.org.

Associations advance America awards.(Programs)
February 1, 2004... A broad awareness campaign designed to impress upon people the value of associations, both to their individual and corporate members and to the larger society. E-mail aaa@asaenet.org; or visit www.asaenet.org/aaa/aaaawards.

CAE program.(Programs)
February 1, 2004... The CAE program is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate those who demonstrate knowledge essential to the practice of association management. For more information, call 202-626-2770; e-mail...