In the world of associations, traditions matter. We look at our traditions for meaning, history, connection, and practice. For association volunteer leaders and committee members, these traditions are often deeply personal, built through years of service, collaboration, and care for the association and its members. The thread that links [...]
Following up is an art form. Deliberate follow-up reinforces trust, accountability, and respect for people’s time when engaging with Boar, members, strategic partners, or head office staff. When done well, it keeps priorities moving forward without creating friction and shows your interest in the situation, the process, and the [...]
Associations are built on decades of passion and commitment. As the workforce continues to evolve, many organizations are beginning to examine how effectively they are attracting and retaining younger generations - particularly Millennials and Gen Z, who will play a key role in future membership growth. Engaging younger professionals [...]
Association volunteer leaders are the backbone of associations. They lead Boards, chair committees, and drive initiatives that shape the organization's direction. While staff provide support and manage day-to-day operations, volunteers make key decisions and guide the association forward. Successful associations thrive when volunteers understand their roles in keeping Boards, [...]
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 [...]
Association volunteer leaders play a powerful role in helping members feel informed, engaged, and connected. But as we move into 2026, there is more noise than ever communications-wise. Members are overloaded with information, including emails, social feeds, meeting invites, updates, and personal notifications. That means even the most important [...]
Every great association event succeeds because of one thing: its people. Each smooth registration desk, seamless session transition, and warmly welcomed attendee reflects the dedication of association volunteers and staff working toward a shared mission. (Read more about the true value of association volunteers here) At the heart of [...]
Volunteers are the backbone of associations, especially in regional associations, where local leadership helps deliver value on the ground. But recruiting committed volunteers and keeping them engaged remains a consistent challenge for many associations. In this blog, we will give you some ideas about how leaders can attract the [...]
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 [...]
In recent weeks, a striking headline in The Wall Street Journal caught my attention: “CEOs Are Furious About Employees Texting in Meetings.” Well-known people in the business world, like Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, have bluntly called out the behaviour: “If you have an iPad in front of me [...]
