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How to manage ‘I just have a question’
Trevor S. Mitchell and Bob Harris Association ManagementIt sounds so virtuous when a board member says, "I just have a question." You would expect the query can be answered briefly with a quick return to the agenda. In reality, the question opens a can of worms.
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How do you handle founder’s syndrome?
William D. Pawlucy and Robert C. Harris Association ManagementImagine how uncomfortable the board was. The founder of the organization had just asserted that, although the bylaws prescribed term limits, he was not ready to step aside. "I founded the organization, and I'm not sure my passion and principles will be sustained," he explained. It was a delicate situation.
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How volunteers define leadership
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementA board is a combination of volunteers dedicated to governing an organization. In the U.S., there are more than 1.5 million nonprofit boards of directors. From the start, the directors must concur on their roles and responsibilities to advance the mission and serve the members. They must recognize that each person brings a unique perspective and experience that must be blended to work as a high-performing governing body. Directors all have their own perspectives of leadership and the characteristics necessary to produce results.
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11-step checklist for implementing the strategic plan
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThe planning retreat is an important activity for reviewing and developing strategy and direction. During the retreat, enthusiasm builds for new programs and growth. After the retreat, everyone returns to their daily priorities. The retreat is just a memory.
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What does sustainability mean for associations?
Bob Harris and Karim Shaaban Association ManagementAssociations nearly always begin with an idea. Soon after, passionate volunteers step forward to develop a mission. The new organization grows from infancy to adolescence by adding structure and resources. As it matures it relies on leadership, members, strategy and resources. Each aspect must be sustainable in order to survive.
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Leader or manager? 3 ways to tell
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAre you a leader who spends a lot of time managing people, projects and goals? Or are you the one who drives and motivates others yet are not officially recognized as a leader? Everyone — from long-tenured employees with institutional knowledge to entrepreneurs, small business owners and those new or returning to the workforce — often performs a variety of roles to address the needs of the organization. But who is a leader and who is a manager? Here are three ways to tell.
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Lots of programs, lots of confusion: Evaluate, understand, bundle, repeat
William D. Pawlucy Association ManagementOne member said about the programs and services of his nonprofit, "I feel like I am walking in a fog and picking programs that might work for me. Once I am out of the fog, I am not 100 percent sure I picked the right ones." If a member has to go through a fog to choose a program or service from your organization, do you think they will enter that fog a second time? So, how do we clear the fog and shine a light on the programs that would be most beneficial to your members?
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This meeting was a disaster
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementScheduled to start at 5 and end at 8, the meeting began with 20 people making self-introductions. They took 35 minutes. I recognized a glitch as a majority included the phrase: "We have a problem." I knew the attendees to be efficient and innovative professionals, so it was surprising to hear the group focus on the negative. Nobody offered positive statements such as, "We are empowered to bring about resolution," or "Through collaboration we can solve our problem."
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The X factor: Harnessing the power of Generation X
Julie Bernhard Association ManagementStaying true to the characterization of their generation, millennials do a nice job of dominating the conversation. Baby boomers have also had their time in the light, and Gen Z is slowly making its way into the news feeds. What many people miss, however, is serving the crew that falls smack in the middle of it all. Introducing Generation X — if you haven't heard about them yet, it is probably by design.
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How healthy is your email list? 2 metrics to check
Lonny Alfred CommunicationsWhen was the last time you looked at your subscriber list, and I mean really looked at it? Do you know who your real audience is? What's your bounce rate? It's easy to set your subscriber list and forget it so you can focus on the content — because content is, after all, king. But the foundation of every successful email campaign is a well-maintained subscriber list. A clean email list provides more accurate statistics and improves deliverability rates.
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