Association Management articles from January 2005

Association Management archives from January 2005

Let Leadership be your guide.(LEADERS' LETTER)
January 1, 2005... We often hear of the power of one. However, the power of partnership can be an even more effective formula. A strong relationship between the chief elected officer and the chief staff officer is one that can pay big dividends, permeating all...

Conducting association business via e-mail.(LEGAL)
January 1, 2005... A common governance question in nonprofit organizations is whether members or directors serving on the governing board can conduct business by e-mail. Often a vote is required to resolve routine matters for which additional debate seems...

Research project to identify promising board practices.(TRENDS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The William E. Smith Institute for Association Research, Chicago, recently approved a major research project on governance that will be of interest to association leaders in the coming months. Two assistant professors from the Center for...

IABC chair launches blog.(COMMUNICATION)(International Association of Business Communicators)
January 1, 2005... Association leaders who want to stay on top of member-communication trends, take note: On October 7, 2004, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Chairman David Kistle launched the "IABC Chairman's Blog" available at...

Advocacy and the board.(GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS)(Excerpt)
January 1, 2005... According to The Nonprofit Board Member's Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy by Marcia Avner (2004, Wilder Foundation), board members contribute to advocacy and lobbying for nonprofits in four essental and unique ways. Three of those relate to the...

Evaluating nonprofit boards.(CHECKLIST)
January 1, 2005... Following are six board indicators that represent what is essential to having a healthy, well-managed organization. Has your board met all of these objectives, or does it still need work? INDICATOR ...

Traits of successful leaders.(LEADERSHIP)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... David Campbell, a senior research fellow at the Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, North Carolina, has compiled a list of nine characteristics he believes are necessary to become a successful leader. Campbell's list of essential...

Fueling support for change initiatives.(STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT)(High-Impact Governing in a Nutshell: 17 Questions That Board Members and CEOs Frequently Ask)(Excerpt)
January 1, 2005... "A board can make a powerful contribution to implementing strategic change by playing two related but distinct roles," says Doug Eadie in his book High-Impact Governing in a Nutshell: 17 Questions That Board Members and CEOs Frequently Ask...

Getting your CEO certified.(STAFF DEVELOPMENT)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Volunteer leaders have an important role to play in making sure that association chief staff executives regularly participate in training and other staff development activities. After all, the professional enrichment of your chief staff leader...

Harnessing the promise of boomer retirees.(VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... In the midst of your pressing obligations as a leader of your association, here's one more "must" on your to-do list: Start brainstorming now about how to use the labor resources of 77 million baby boomers on the verge of retiring. A new report...

Building the best board: focus on better governance before, during, and after the nominating committee meets.(BOARD BUILDERS)(American Society of Association Executives)
January 1, 2005... ARGUABLY, THE MOST IMPORtant committee in any nonprofit organization is the nominating committee. It can ensure the successful growth of an association or mismanage the process to the organization's demise. The governing board acts as a unit...

Beyond political correctness: discover the benefits of board diversity.(BOARD BUILDERS)
January 1, 2005... THE FIRST THING most people think about when diversity is mentioned is racial diversity. "Building the Business Case for Multiculturalism," a study completed in 2003 by Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International, found that in the United...

Breaking barriers to board diversity.(BOARD BUILDERS)
January 1, 2005... Even nonprofit organizations that recognize the need to diversify their boards often fail to achieve diversity in which healthy debate and new ideas are welcomed. Here are some of the dynamics that account for this failure and ways to address...

London: eclectic and electric, a cultural breeding ground and the most international city in the world. State of the art facilities, loads of unique venues and people who make you smile.
January 1, 2005... No matter what the nature of your association, London welcomes you and promises you an unforgettable and truly world-class experience. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Year after year, London reinvents itself as the stylish, happening capital...

Order on the board: use communication and clarity to keep a board in line.(SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIPS)
January 1, 2005... IN MAY 2004, MY E-MAIL WAS BUZZING. RUMOR HAD IT THAT THE EXECUTIVE director of a major nonprofit organization was about to be unceremoniously dumped after all kinds of closed sessions of the governing board, split votes of confidence, and...

Minding your meeting manners: Peggy Post offers advice on board meeting etiquette.(SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIPS)
January 1, 2005... MANY OF US DISMISS ETIQUETTE as just plain common courtesy. But according to a 2001 telephone survey administered by Public Agenda, courtesy is not as common as we would like to think. Eight in 10 Americans surveyed felt that a lack of respect...

En route to executive retention: the board's role in retaining the chief staff leader.(SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIPS)
January 1, 2005... WHY IS IT THAT so many executive director trains leave the station full of enthusiastic supporters only to be derailed by the end of the first contract term? Two factors are often at play: 1) failures on the chief staff leader's part, such as...

Lessons in leading: a letter to first-time board chairs.(DEFINED RESPONSIBILITIES)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Dear Board Chair: Congratulations on becoming the volunteer leader of your association. I hope that you have been looking forward to this opportunity. You can make a difference in the life of your association, its leaders, its members, and...

Spend less time, be more productive: from changing board structures to consolidating committees, associations are looking at ways to streamline governance.(DEFINED RESPONSIBILITIES)(Nonprofit Leadership Services)
January 1, 2005... "GIVE US QUALITY NOT QUANTITY," is the demand that many a time-challenged board member would echo. As volunteer leaders challenge organizations to best use their time and expertise, many associations are taking seriously the mandate to...

Big-picture board: steps for keeping strategy at the core of your board's work.(DEFINED RESPONSIBILITIES)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2005... SO YOU WANT YOUR BOARD TO FOCUS ON THE BIG picture, centering its sights on strategy and leaving the execution of goals and objectives to the staff? Well, let's just say that accomplishment is not for wimps. "I don't want to scare anyone," says...

Changing expectations for nonprofit governance: as post-Enron scrutiny of corporate boards spreads to nonprofits, here's what it could mean for you.(DEFINED RESPONSIBILITIES)
January 1, 2005... "After cracking down on corporate America, lawmakers and enforcement officials are training their sights on the country's 1.8 million nonprofits. Attorneys general from California to Massachusetts are pursuing nonprofits and their board...

Tracking volunteer trends: as the world changes, so do trends in volunteerism. Here's how to maintain a strong volunteer base.(VALUED VOLUNTEERISM)
January 1, 2005... YOU CAN'T JUST SIT IDLY by and watch the social, economic, and cultural trends that are reshaping volunteerism. As an association leader, you need to have a solution or two up your sleeve. Just think: If everything in the world is changing, how...

Victories of volunteerism; Community needs, member enthusiasm, connections that clicked: all helped shape Summit Award-winning efforts to improve society.(VALUED VOLUNTEERISM)
January 1, 2005... NEVER GIVE UP. THAT'S the unanimous advice from the winners of this year's Associations Advance America Summit Award, one of ASAE's highest honors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The AAA Summit Award is given annually to associations that...

I'm in charge. Now what? Learn the difference between being a board chair and a board member--and how both roles differ from the staff executive's job.(BOARD PRIMER)(Column)
January 1, 2005... Congratulations. You have been chosen to be the chief elected officer of your association. But how is your new role different from your previous board positions--and from the staff leader's role? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As a member of...

How can we boost our board from good to great? Use these strategies to leverage your legacy for maximum impact.(BOARD PRIMER)(Column)
January 1, 2005... As your association's most dedicated and passionate volunteers, the members of your board of directors are capable of leaving a legacy of leadership--a foundation for new growth and accomplishment for years to come. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

What are my legal responsibilities? Understand the three basic duties, obey the law, and be ever vigilant.(BOARD PRIMER)
January 1, 2005... As a board member, you probably hear a great deal about new models for good corporate governance in general and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in particular. Though you should be aware of how corporate trends are raising expectations in the world of...

What do I need to know about D & O? Straight talk about costs and coverage limits for directors and officers liability insurance.(BOARD PRIMER)(directors and officers, insurance)
January 1, 2005... When in the past I've been asked to share my views about concerns related to association insurance, I have always responded with businesslike decorum and restraint. In retrospect, however, it appears that those carefully crafted gray paragraphs...

How can I make sense of the money? Try this advice on interpreting policies and procedures, reading financial statements, and reacting to Sarbanes-Oxley implications.(BOARD PRIMER)
January 1, 2005... Understanding the association's financial operations is critical, especially given increased public scrutiny of for-profit and nonprofit organizations in recent years. You have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that the association has...

How can our board be more strategic? Use these five keys to high-level effectiveness.(BOARD PRIMER)
January 1, 2005... Despite the great diversity among associations, in one important area we share the same goal: We all seek effective governance, achieved by boards that are productive, rewarding, and even fun, led by volunteer leaders who are energetic and...

What belongs in our board manual? Practical information on the fundamentals of service from basic documents to sophisticated background.(BOARD PRIMER)
January 1, 2005... At some point, most every brand-new board member wonders, "How did I get here, and what is my role now?" The answers can be found in a good orientation supplemented by a resource every governing board should provide: a manual of helpful...

Who, me? Get members? Nine ways to be a true leader in membership development--even if you don't like to recruit.(BOARD PRIMER)
January 1, 2005... When you agreed to become a member of your association's board of directors, did you think that meant you were becoming a membership recruiter? Many organizations just assume you're willing to go out and actively recruit new members because you...

How can we banish bad behavior? Watch for these five signs of trouble--and take action accordingly.(BOARD PRIMER)
January 1, 2005... Almost all nonprofit organization boards, including ones that are usually effective, lapse into dysfunctional behavior from time to time. To keep occasional hassles from becoming bad habits, be on the lookout for the following five signs of...

Why does antitrust matter to me? Your role in helping prevent anticompetitive behavior--and the unwanted scrutiny it invites.(BOARD PRIMER)
January 1, 2005... Without question, your trade association or professional society plays a vital role in the modern economy. Notwithstanding your organization's importance, your conduct is subject to legal scrutiny, particularly in the area of antitrust and...

Q: What are your best tips for keeping a board meeting on track?(CEO TO CEO)(chief executive officer)
January 1, 2005... Q: What are your best tips for keeping a board meeting on track? First and foremost, I keep the mission statement in red at the top of our agenda. We also make every effort to get our chairman-elect to ASAE's CEO Symposium. This has helped...

Q: What is the most important lesson you've learned about association governance?(CEO TO CEO)(chief executive officer)
January 1, 2005... Q: What is the most important lesson you've learned about association governance? My experience has been that associations are governed best when individuals and groups thoroughly understand and fulfill their respective roles. Personal...

ASAE resources.(ASAE Services Inc.)
January 1, 2005... Partner Organizations at Your Service Partner organizations ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership provide resources, education, ideas, and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association community. Together the...

Calendar of upcoming events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... CEO SYMPOSIUM Join us for this two-day strategic Hyatt Regency, Coral Gables, Miami program for CEOs and their board January 20-21, 2005 chairs to explore new models for $495 ASAE members; ...

The Web-based solution you need to recruit, engage, and retain[TM] association members.(TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW)
January 1, 2005... GetActive offers Web-based solutions that allow associations to recruit, engage, and retain members online. Using the GetActive Suite, associations can enhance member relationships via integrated e-mail messaging, online advocacy, member dues,...

Best practices netFORUM implementations.(TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW)
January 1, 2005... Adonco Technologies uses a proven six-stage implementation process to ensure that your netFORUM software is delivered on time and within budget. We customize your system to your unique business needs, convert your data, and provide training and...

iMIS 10.5.(TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW)(Advanced Solutions International Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... iMIS is the only upgradable association software solution built on Microsoft .NET and every year is enhanced with feedback from the entire iMIS family, including more than 30,000 iMIS users and 1,000 trained iMIS professionals. ...

The complete Microsoft solution for associations: PROTECH CRM for Members.(TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW)
January 1, 2005... The relationships with your members are the most important aspect of your association. PROTECH CRM for Members is designed specifically to manage and nurture those member relationships. Built on Microsoft[R] Customer Relationship Management...

Member Portal-Powered by Susquehanna Technologies.(TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW)
January 1, 2005... Your Web site is the most visible communication tool your association has. Member Portal--Powered by Susquehanna Technologies is the front-facing Web interface to PROTECH CRM for Members. Member Portal integrates directly with CRM for Members...

Introducing a New Perspective on Web Applications.(TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW)
January 1, 2005... NetOn-Line's on-demand applications are ready to launch your association's Web site. The Ready Web Suite is an a la carte package of Web applications that deliver interactivity and functionality, along with hosting and support services. With a...

Are IP phones ready for prime time?(TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW)(internet protocol )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... IP telephony (VoIP) is the future of your association's telecommunications. The real question is whether the technology is ready now. In 2004, IP phones sales for the first time exceeded traditional phone systems. Many of our customers...

Technology marketplace.
January 1, 2005... ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AVECTRA 7600 Leesburg Pk. West, Suite 450 Falls Church, VA 22043 Brian Giese, Vice President of Sales 800-858-8272; fax: 703-394-0985 E-mail: info@avectra.com Web site:...

Bridging the generation gap.(KEEPING YOUR EDGE)(interview, Lianna Collinge of Association Management Inc.)(Interview)
January 1, 2005... WHO? Lianna Collinge, CAE WHAT? President WHERE? Association Management, Inc., Tacoma, Washington WHY? Volunteers Weekly at Local Schools Q: What made you decide to volunteer at Voyager Elementary and Kopachuck Middle schools?...