One of the greatest strengths of any Board is the collective knowledge, experience, and perspective of its members. Yet that strength is only realized when every director has access to the same information at the same time. Effective governance is not simply about making decisions; it is about making [...]
Internal audit is an independent and objective assurance and consulting function designed to add value and improve an association's operations. As a Board member or volunteer leader, you are entrusted with the fiduciary stewardship of your association's resources, reputation, and mission. Internal audit helps associations achieve their objectives by [...]
Serving on an association's Board is a rewarding way to give back to your profession or community. Whether you're helping shape strategy, overseeing events, or supporting members, one of your most important responsibilities is ensuring the organization's financial health. For many volunteer members, however, budgeting can feel intimidating. Most [...]
In association management, particularly in the accounting department, busy seasons, tight deadlines, and constant attention to detail make time management one of the most valuable skills for accounting professionals. Whether you’re juggling reconciliations, preparing reports, or responding to last-minute requests, how you structure your day can directly affect both [...]
In most associations, the transition from Board chair to past chair happens at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). On paper, it’s straightforward: a motion is passed, officers change, and the new chair steps in, but in practice, it’s one of the most important and fragile governance moments your organization [...]
Associations face great expectations around transparency, governance, and financial accountability. Advances in technology, constant changes in regulatory requirements, and scrutiny from members and stakeholders mean that strong financial oversight is more important than ever. For association leaders and Boards, internal controls remain critical for protecting organizational assets, ensuring compliance, [...]
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 [...]
Volunteer Boards are the backbone of any association, bringing together experienced professionals who generously offer their time, expertise, and leadership. But with great influence comes great responsibility, and one of the most critical responsibilities is recognizing and managing conflicts of interest. In industries where Board members often own businesses or [...]
Let’s face it, the most common thing is that everyone’s calendars are already jam-packed, and finding the time to meet with your Board can be difficult. Add in coming to an agreeable meeting frequency with Board Members, and this becomes a common challenge many associations face today. So, how often should Association Boards meet? The answer depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of [...]
Associations are under constant pressure to manage growing workloads, coordinate, and keep information organized for staff, Boards, and volunteers. Without a centralized system, documents get lost, communication splinters, and efficiency suffers. SharePoint, a tool many associations already have through Microsoft 365, but often underutilized, offers a practical solution: a [...]
