Association Happenings to Celebrate! PART TWO
In part one of this series, we celebrated the books that have been propelling and supporting our efforts towards the future for associations. This second part is a compilation of events and programs that represent a shift in the industry (yes, our own event might have made its way in here, but as a truly collaborative exploration […]
Data Adventures: Are We Rolling in the Mud with Our Members?
Associations Catalyzing Entrepreneurship (ACE) is a group made up of association executives and stakeholders who think outside the association box about the future. We have conversations about an entrepreneurial approach to association leadership and implement the resulting great ideas in our jobs. In our most recent conversation live in DC, with a virtual component hosted […]
Struggling with Competing Priorities as an Association Professional?
As an association professional, do you ever feel like you are facing a laundry list of competing priorities? Are you searching for a new approach to reach your current and future members? Many associations face the same challenges. Legacy programs require resources but may be providing less value over time. Current leadership is generating new ideas […]
Why I’m Optimistic About The Future Of Association Governing
In my new eBook, Foresight is The Future of Governing: Building Thrivable Boards, Stakeholders and Systems for the 21stCentury, I argue that associations must create a different future of governing by focusing the work of governing on the future. As I explain: Associations need their boards, with the support of their staff partners and other contributors, to focus […]
Are You Productive, or Just Busy? One Word Can Help You Find Out
To work is to use resources – time, talent, expertise, energy, or a combination thereof – to create a new output. What makes work productive is when our effort has transformed resources into new output of value. If we spend half our waking hours leasing our personal resources to our employer, productivity is worth the pursuit, knowing that our efforts […]
Member-relations ambassador, anyone?
Serving and engaging with members is a natural role for associations. However, I have yet to encounter the job title “member relations ambassador” that exists in the association community here or abroad. That was, at least, until I went to Kuala Lumpur as part of the organizing team for our association’s annual CEO Forum held in […]
SURGE: SPEAKERS WANTED!
We are seeking speakers for the SURGE Co-Creation virtual conference on May 1st-3rd. The sessions make up such a crucial starting point for the discussions that take place. Below is a list of questions that make up the starting point for each session. This list was put together with SURGE partners after identifying common challenges and […]
Association Happenings to Celebrate! PART ONE
Associations need to be flexible and ready to evolve to meet the needs both of their audiences and the world at large, but there’s no doubt that they are up to the challenge! It’s constantly coming to our attention that we have an industry of forward thinking professionals, and I am confident that we are well […]
The Best Content is Connected
Content strategy helps ensure that your association creates useful, usable, appropriate, effective content. There are several principles of content strategy: The content has to be relevant to the people who are accessing it. It has to be usable, allowing the audience to accomplish their goals. It has to be appropriate for their level of interest […]
How Do We Bring Advocacy Into The 21st Century?
In an age of hyper-transformation fueled by advances in technology, the association industry’s advocacy efforts must evolve past merely “mobilizing members” to amassing an expanded base of supporters to advance our legislative goals. This evolution requires both a shift in thinking and a recognition that technology provides a platform for value creation. Technology no longer […]