Association Management articles from January 2003

Association Management archives from January 2003

Issues update.(new legislation removes duplicative disclosure requirements of state/local political action committees; effects on associations)
January 1, 2003... The strength of an association's advocacy program lies in its extensive grassroots network and the diligence of its members, as illustrated by the opposition to the proposed association investment tax in the 2000 and 2001 budgets. Associations...

Your investment in the future. (Chairman's Message).(discussion of being a boardmember)
January 1, 2003... Like you, I've spent more than a little time around the board table, investing effort and intellect to further the missions of causes and organizations that I care about. I have also found the returns from such involvement typically outweigh my...

Trumpeting the industry's contributions. (President's Message).(American Society of Association Executives)
January 1, 2003... Thirteen years ago, ASAE saw fit to create a public awareness campaign and recognition program extolling the value of associations, particularly the work they do--related or unrelated to mission--to better their communities and, together,...

New approaches to managing antitrust risk. (Legal).
January 1, 2003... It has been a long time since any major new developments in the antitrust area have affected trade associations, professional societies, or other nonprofit membership societies. Is antitrust still a risk? If so, are there new ways to manage the...

Technology and you: .NET and the future of AMS systems.(Association Management Systems )
January 1, 2003... Why .NET technology? In my career as a dedicated IT professional, I have watched the evolution of Association Management Systems (AMS) from host-based mini computer systems, to systems based on the Disk Operating System (DOS), to Windows...

New ways to measure success. (Board Operations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Board failures did not lead to the demise of giant corporations last year, contends Jeffrey A. Sonnenfeld, associate dean for executive programs at the Yale School of Management, New Haven, Connecticut. Yet in his article, "What Makes Great...

Spotting discord early on. (Conflict Management).
January 1, 2003... As board or committee chair, you want to make the most of your time in office. Nipping any potential conflicts in the bud will go a long way toward keeping things running smoothly. Resolving Conflict in Nonprofit Organizations, a new book...

Making a thorough assessment. (Decision Making).(board of directors checklist)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Decisions, decisions, decisions: such is the lot of board members. The following may help put your mind at ease that you've covered all the necessary bases. "In the course of a meeting, board members and the chief executive may have to...

FSA enhances members' corporate governance know-how. (Board Development).(Fabless Semiconductor Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Talk about timely: The Fabless Semiconductor Association (ESA), San Jose, California, had already launched a study on corporate governance when the wave of business scandals hit. The final 14-page report, "Establishing An Effective Board of...

Adversity can empower you. (Leadership Skills).(four essential skills of leaders)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Life throws everyone a curve sooner or later--be it a business setback, personal disappointment, prejudicial treatment, perhaps even a traumatic event. But those who can take adversity and transform it into a meaningful, life-changing...

Data dispatch. (Leader to Leader).(survey on confidence in nonprofit organizations' boards; time spent by corporate directors on board business; and Walt Disney Co. to downsize)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A PAT ON THE BACK. Nonprofit organizations value their boards, according to a survey by Blackbaud, Inc., Charleston, South Carolina, and TechFoundation, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sixty-nine percent of the 364 nonprofit organizations that...

Federated groups take unconventional path to governance. (Governance).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Some of the most visible nonprofit organizations, such as the YMCA, are the most likely to have uncommon governance structures. So finds a study of national federated organizations by the Nonprofit Sector Research Fund...

Cool resources on hot topics. (Leader Links).(issued and resources for association boards)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... No doubt, association boards face myriad issues as they work to serve members and better their organizations. Here's a look at three perennial topics and some resources that will bring you up to speed and point you in the right direction as you...

Study affirms importance of nurturing new leaders. (Future Leaders).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Leadership development: Chief executive officers say it's absolutely critical for competitive advantage. What's more, they acknowledge that it's their job to cultivate the next generation of leaders. So concludes a study by the Center for...

Off the beaten path. (Retreats).(two team building adventures)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Tired of the same old board retreat format? Could it be time for something different--perhaps a trek in the Himalayas or riding the range in the Old West? Such team-building adventures may be out of bounds for most leaders and the organizations...

What's on the Web. (Leadership Sites).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... * www.leadingtoday.org: This site offers an overflowing cornucopia of leadership insights, much of it thought-provoking and inspirational. A nonprofit organization, WeLEAD, Litchfield, Ohio, publishes a monthly online magazine that features...

Putting teeth into ethical practices: good behavior starts at the top.
January 1, 2003... CONVERSATION AND CONSTERNATION ABOUT TRUST AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR reached critical mass last year as people lost faith in nearly every institution. From the Catholic Church to corporate America and beyond, news of fraud and dishonesty prevailed....

Confronting unethical conduct.(addressed problems within associations)
January 1, 2003... The litany of scandals afflicting corporate America has raised many difficult questions for associations and other types of nonprofit organizations. Should executives tainted by scandal be asked to leave an association's board? Should the...

From Scan to plan: how to apply environmental scanning to your association's strategic planning process.
January 1, 2003... A LOT IS HAPPENING OUT THERE--IN OUR INDUSTRIES, IN THE way we lead and manage associations, and in the world around us. With the barrage of information coming in, a rapidly changing operating environment, and the need to keep the operation...

Characteristics that count: nine leadership traits that translate to on-target actions.(boards of directors)
January 1, 2003... As I AWAIT MY TURN TO PRESENT A report at a client's board of directors meeting, I notice the human dynamics that are occurring before me. A respectful discussion is taking place, with the board chair clearly in charge and the board members...

The right size for strategy: cutting board seats by half revitalizes an association.(American Water Resources Association's growth and governance)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2003... "The journey is the reward."--Tao Like many associations, the American Water Resources Association (AWRA), Middleburg, Virginia, started small, with a dedicated corps of volunteers taking on the burgeoning workload that inevitably comes...

A matter of being: for Frances Hesselbein, leadership starts with mission, values, and vision.(Interview)
January 1, 2003... FRANCES HESSELBEIN ES ONE OF THOSE RARE INDIVIDUALS UNAFRAID TO stare society's greatest problems in the eye--and yet still able to exude an energized optimism. That is because for all the challenges she sees confronting society today, she also...

Mastering the mix: six ways to balance board work and business.
January 1, 2003... LET'S FACE IT: VOLUNTEERING AS A MEMBER OF YOUR ASSOCIATION'S BOARD OF directors, or as part of one of its committees or task forces, is a big commitment. The experience is bound to demand plenty of time, energy, and brainpower. It's...

A formula for high-quality leadership: make your term as chief elected officer meaningful by developing an inspiring leadership style. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... Think about the volunteer leaders you've worked with throughout your career--effective and not so effective. Why is it that some have enabled you to have such positive experiences while others have not? What made the difference? The...

Does your board measure up? A guide to conducting a self-assessment. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... Although the typical board of directors evaluates the chief staff executive annually, too few boards understand the value of assessing their own performance. But without a defined, periodic evaluation process, a board materially increases the...

Making meetings more productive: good preparation and skillful facilitating keep your board on time and on target. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... Today's volunteers don't want to sit through inefficient meetings. Instead, board members want to participate in meaningful sessions that get results. Your board of directors is more likely to get those results by following the basics of...

The basics of parliamentary procedure: know your rights and responsibilities for participating in meetings. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... As a board member, one of your most fundamental rights and responsibilities is to take an active part in meetings. The following will help you know some of your rights, including when and how to use parliamentary procedure to promote fair and...

A look at the legalities: your legal and fiduciary responsibilities as a board member. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... In the wake of recent corporate accounting scandals, you may, understandably, be anxious about your responsibilities as a new board member. Although you should steadfastly resist the temptation to micromanage your organization's daily...

Insurance essentials: insurance insiders explain why it's foolish to confuse "not-for-profit" with "not-at-risk". (Board Primer).(volunteer leaders)
January 1, 2003... The benefits of being a volunteer leader are many, most notably the satisfaction of contributing to the progress of your trade or professional organization. But sometimes volunteer directors or officers learn the hard way the meaning of that...

Evaluating e-philanthropy: how to decide if online fundraising is an option for your association. (Board Primer).(three tenets of e-philanthropy)
January 1, 2003... Let me assure you, some organization will devise a strategy to cultivate and solicit your donors online. The only question is... will that organization be yours? To answer that question, your hoard needs to think in broad terms about...

Membership development needs you: why recruiting and retaining members should be a top priority for your board. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... As a member of your association's board of directors, you're in a position to focus on goals, influence the course of events, set strategy, and oversee new initiatives. And your role most definitely includes the important obligation of...

For those who think young: ten things you must know to turn today's new members into tomorrow's volunteer leaders. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... Think back to what motivated you to get involved with your association. Perhaps you had a professor who taught you the value of associations and stressed your responsibility to volunteer as a loyal representative of your industry. Maybe someone...

Bringing the best to the boardroom: how to find the forward-thinking volunteers who'll offer fresh perspectives at the highest levels. (Board Primer).
January 1, 2003... Who sits at your board table? The movers and shakers of your profession or industry? Successful, widely recognized long-time members? These are the people you need, right? Perhaps, but not as much as you might be inclined to believe....

CEO to CEO.(advice to new board members)(Panel Discussion)
January 1, 2003... Q: What advice would you offer new board members about bow to become engaged and not be intimidated? What steps do you take to put new board members at ease? The best advice I'd offer new board members is to read the background information...

Excellence has its rewards.(American Society of Association Executives awards)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Congratulations to the 2002 ASAE All-Star Award winners. Bill Edwards VP & General Manager Washington Hilton & Towers CATEGORY: Hospitality Vinay Kumar Franklin's Printing & Mailing Owner CATEGORY: Marketing...

Advanced Solutions International, Inc. (ASI). (Association Management Software).(company information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... 901 N. Pitt St., Ste. 200 Alexandria, VA 22314 800-727-8982; fax: 703-739-3218 E-mail: info@advsol.com Web site: www.advsol.com ASI is an international provider of end-to-end, business, and e-business software solutions...

The Arlington Group. (Association Management Software).(company information)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2003... 6707 Old Dominion Dr., Ste. 350 McLean, VA 22101 703-893-9353, ext. 117; fax: 703-893-9363 E-mail: info@arlgroup.com Web site: www.arlingtongroup.com AG tailors our software products and services, including our Web products...

Avectra. (Association Management Software).(company information)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2003... 7600 Leesburg Pk., Ste. 450 Falls Church, VA 22043 Kevin G. Ordonez, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing 800-858-8272; fax: 703-394-0985 E-mail: info@avectra.com Web site: www.avectra.com Avectra, the...

ISG Solutions. (Association Management Software).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... 2400 Research Blvd., Ste. 350 Rockville, MD 20850 Erin Murphy, Director of Sales Support 301-519-3776; fax: 301-519-9699 E-mail: emurphy@isgsolutions.com Web site: www.isgsolutions.com ISG Solutions offers a unique...

Sierra Bay Technology Group, Inc. (Association Management Software).(company information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... 1741 Business Center Dr., Ste. 122 Reston, VA 20190 Greg Smythe 703-438-3210 E-mail: sales@sierrabay.net Web site: www.sierrabay.net AssociationOffice is an all-inclusive suite of association management applications....

Certilearn. (Distance Education).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... 7600 Leesburg Pk., Ste. 450 Falls Church, VA 22043 Gary LaBranche, President 703-288-0050; fax: 703-394-0985 E-mail: info@certilearn.com Web site: www.certilearn.com CertiLearn helps membership organizations connect...

Answers4. (Healthcare Management Software).(company information )(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 1, 2003... 563 W. 500 South, Ste. 170 Bountiful, UT 84010 801-951-1111; fax: 801-951-1117 E-mail: info@answers4.com Web site: www.answers4.com Answers4 increases the quality of care for children, individuals, and families by...

Membership Cards Only LLC. (Membership Cards).(company information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... 8000 Towers Cresent Dr., Ste. 1350 Vienna, VA 22182-5417 Richard Faust, President 800-77CARDS; fax: 828-349-9242 E-mail: rfaust@membershipcards.com Web site: www.membershipcards.com We produce virtually any kind of...

Advanced Solutions International, Inc. (ASI). (Web/Internet Solutions).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... 901 N. Pitt St., Ste. 200 800-727-8582; fax: 703-739-3218 Alexandria, VA 22314 E-mail: info@advsol.com Web site: www.advsol.com ASI is an international provider of end-to-end, business, and e-business software solutions...

Bluestep. (Web/Internet Solutions).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... 563 W. 500 South, Ste. 170 801-951-1111; fax: 801-951-1117 Bountiful, UT 84010 E-mail: info@BlueStep.net Web site: www.bluestep.net BlueStep provides Web-based solutions that increase productivity and reduce costs....

ISG Solutions. (Web/Internet Solutions).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... 2400 Research Blvd., Ste. 350 Erin Murphy, Director of Sales Support Rockville, MD 20850 301-519-3775; fax: 301-519-9699 E-mail: emurphy@isgsolutions.com Web site: www.isgsolutions.com Online community platforms...

Potomac Digitek, Inc. (Web Site Design & Development).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... 814 West Diamond Ave., Ste. 325 Paul B. Finkel, President Gaithersburg, MD 20878 800-969-9641; fax: 301-590-2776 E-mail: digitek@padi.com Web site: www.podi.com Potomac Digitek specializes in providing Web site...

Neton-Line Services[TM]. (Web Site Design & Development).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... 930 E. Woodfield Rd. Sherry W. Budziak, Chief Business Development Officer Schaumburg, IL 60173 800-845-1865, ext. 1374; fax: 847-240-1867 E-mail: sales@neton-line.com Web site: www.neton-line.com NetOn-Line Services...

Keeping your edge.(Stacy Tetschner, CEO/Executive Vice President of National Speakers Association, creates holiday open house to benefit children)
January 1, 2003... Good Works WHO? Stacy Tetschner, CAE WHAT? Executive Vice President and CEO WHERE? National Speakers Association, Tempe, Arizona WHEN? 1998 Q: What led you to create a holiday open house to benefit children? A: For...

Brilliant by day. Heavenly by night.(Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel )(Illustration)
January 1, 2003... The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. Superior New Space in a Stellar Location! The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel now offers even greater options while meeting the needs of virtually any group - large or small - with...

Beautiful Beaches and so much more! (Advertisement: Myrtle Beach).(Advertisement)
January 1, 2003... THE PERFECT PLACE You set high standards for yourself and your organization, and you don't waver. So when it comes time to plan a meeting or convention, you want only the best--beginning with the perfect location. The Myrtle Beach area...