The Role Continuum for Chief Staff Executive and Board of an Association

By |2023-02-13T13:45:36-06:00December 8th, 2022|

In previous articles, I have written about the CSAE CEO Symposium led by Glenn Tecker. I find some of the tools provided at this workshop to be so valuable I keep the workbook on my desk. One of my most referenced tools is the role continuum for the chief [...]

Making the Most of In-Person Association Board Meetings

By |2022-12-08T09:55:28-06:00May 12th, 2022|

My last pre pandemic blog article discussed how The Best-Intentioned Association Boards can get Sidetracked. As I reflect on the way we conducted board meetings during the pandemic, it is interesting to reflect on this article from over two years ago. It focused on making the best use of [...]

Getting Together Again – Adjusting Expectations (Again)

By |2022-02-10T09:28:35-06:00February 10th, 2022|

Over the second year of the pandemic, we have experienced a lot of starts and stops. In October 2021 we felt that it was safe for our association clients to be hosting in-person events. However, by the end of the year, we had cancelled in-person association events for January [...]

Lessons From 20 Years of Association Leadership

By |2021-10-15T11:38:53-05:00September 30th, 2021|

Milestone anniversaries are a time to reflect on the past and to think about the future. I’ve recently reached the milestone of 20 years serving as the Chief Executive Officer (originally Executive Director) of my first association management client, the Pedorthic Association of Canada. I am proud to say [...]

Ready, Willing, and Able – The Return of Association Events

By |2021-08-05T12:03:19-05:00August 5th, 2021|

I am one of the optimists; I believe that Canadians will see the safe return of association events in the fall of 2021. However, I realize that not everyone is in the same place. As associations consider when to bring members together, they must consider that members must be [...]

Adapting Board Leadership to Challenges of the Pandemic

By |2021-04-23T14:16:42-05:00April 22nd, 2021|

The last 14-months have felt more like a daily one-hundred-meter dash rather than a marathon. While I am no runner, I prefer the steady pace of a marathon. But, like most association leaders, I can handle the occasional sprint. During the pandemic, we have missed the personal connections and [...]

When Can We Hold Events in 2021?

By |2021-02-25T11:20:04-06:00February 4th, 2021|

While continuously adapting, we are proud to have made it through the hardships of countless event cancellations and closures over the past months. We have been able to adapt and focus, and now we may see another opportunity to pivot, beyond virtual events. In the months ahead, health authorities [...]

Hosting Association Events Amidst a Global Pandemic: Adapting to New Health and Safety Standards

By |2020-10-28T08:26:14-05:00August 27th, 2020|

2020 has seen association events cancelled left, right, and centre due to physical distancing protocols. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social gatherings now restricted to small groups. Hotels, convention centres, and other venues are enacting new health and safety guidelines. In August, I hosted an online brainstorming session with [...]

Keep Engaging Association Members During this Pandemic

By |2020-10-28T14:48:18-05:00April 30th, 2020|

What have I learned during March and April amidst the global economic pause and stay at home orders? I’ve learned that despite legislated closures, jobs lost, and event cancellations, association members are engaging with their associations more than ever! They want to be engaged and connected; they want to [...]

The Best-Intentioned Association Boards Can Get Sidetracked

By |2020-10-29T14:11:09-05:00February 20th, 2020|

A lot of thought and energy goes into preparing the agenda for an association’s board of directors meeting. However, without proper planning and structure, a strong board can easily lose track of priorities throughout the meeting. Planning an agenda and ensuring that board members arrive prepared is equally about [...]

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