The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is typically the crescendo of the year for most Boards, a high-stakes moment where members depart, and new leaders step up. Among these changes, the transition from one Board Chair to another is the most critical. Because no two leaders approach governance the same [...]
Associations are struggling to attract experienced volunteer leaders, and resources are stretched thin. While a senior association manager for an Association Management Company (AMC), I’ve spent many years developing, implementing, and measuring association strategic plans; the process always benefits from fresh perspectives and the right tools. The Strategic plan [...]
We live in a time where “being connected” is a part of life. As a leader of an Association, it is important to be connected. Connected to the board, to members, to stakeholders, and to the association executive (CEO or Executive Director). The challenge today is how to [...]
Associations rely heavily on their conferences to bring together members, provide professional development opportunities, and to generate revenue for the valuable work they do. Not all associations have staff to get the work done so they need to assess the value of leaving it to a local organizing committee [...]
Not all chairs are created equal! Being an executive director at an association management company (AMC) gives me a valuable perspective on what an “effective” chair for a Board or committee meeting looks like. The job of a Board or committee chair is not easy, and it is getting [...]
Building on my July 2024 blog, To Meet or Not to Meet. That is the Question, let's explore a process your Board can use for a meaningful discussion on this topic. Recently a client talked about their annual conference (or do you mean AGM?) and felt overwhelmed by all [...]
I remember fondly, the activity of setting up the water pump to draw water from a nearby lake every spring at the family cottage. This activity would ensure that we had enough water on hand for the entire season. My dad referred to this activity as “priming the pump.” [...]
https://www.strauss.ca/top-10-tips-successful-association-task-force-meetings/How associations do business is changing and evolving. How does your association navigate the change? As an association management company (AMC), we are involved in many conversations related to the changing landscape of industries with our clients. Value of The Meeting One of the value propositions that [...]
Is there only one way to lead an association? One of the challenges and benefits of working for an Association Management Company (AMC) is that you get exposed to many different styles and forms of leadership. No “one” style or form is correct and effective for all associations but [...]
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 [...]
