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How technology has made a major impact on the nonprofit membership model
William D. Pawlucy Association ManagementNonprofit organizations are only as valuable as the value they provide to their members. That fact won't change. The rise of technology and the shift in generations have made it difficult to sustain a traditional nonprofit model. However, those things may not be so bad, as they force a change in nonprofits that is focused squarely around relevance.
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Defining a culture of philanthropy
Craig Shelley Association ManagementAs I've worked to build this culture either within or in partnership to various organizations, I've come to believe there are seven common elements of a philanthropic culture. By focusing efforts on these items, we can build this culture in organizations where it currently doesn't exist. By holding ourselves accountable to these qualitative metrics we can track our progress.
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Human performance — ‘Where’s the beef?’
Michael S. Haro, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementRemember the Wendy's commercial "Where's the beef?" Human performance can be compared to a sandwich with the “beef” being the heart of productivity, the employees. The top of the sandwich is senior management, and the bottom or base, the supervisors.
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The board adopted the strategic plan — now what?
William D. Pawlucy Association ManagementSo, you just wrapped up a stellar strategic planning session, and the board adopts the new strategic plan. What happens next? The board has exercised its governance role in setting the strategic road map for the organization, and now it is staff's responsibility to put an effective operational work plan in place to execute.
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Webinar recap: Social media without wasting your time
MultiView Association ManagementThe age of social media experimentation is over, and this resource-gobbling activity needs to pull its own weight. So how do you really engage members and other stakeholders — without wasting your time? How can you generate "content" that demonstrates value, particularly when the competition is "free"? Social media expert Randall Craig shares practical advice and insight in this tight, content-focused free webinar.
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You cannot lead until you have their trust
Dov Baron Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementA creeping crisis is facing companies today. Over the next 20 years, this crisis will affect the bottom line harder than the recession of 2008. What is the crisis? The loss of valuable, trained employees. The average company spends 1.5 to 2 times the annual salary of an employee in training and development. Meanwhile the average millennial employee is looking at a tenure of only 1.2 to 2.4 years, at the outside.
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Problems at work? Maybe it’s you
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMy coaching colleagues and I were talking the other day about the challenges we have when we suspect it is our client causing the problems they are trying to overcome at work. It can be just as challenging for an outsider to identify the root of a problem as it is for an individual to realize that they are the problem.
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Easing the transition to past president
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThe past president, or former chair of the board, can be an invaluable position in the association. They have the experience and knowledge to support sustainability of programs and leadership. Regrettably, upon passing of the gavel, some presidents disappear with a sigh of relief.
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How distractions cause stress and impede your ability to function
Michael S. Haro, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIf you are easily distracted, your level of stress likely rises with these distractions. In this state, your potential for making poor decisions and mistakes increases. Leaders and managers constantly face their share of distractions, so it's important to know how to handle them in the appropriate manner.
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Your gavel is not a magic wand, crown or crystal ball
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementAssociations have a tradition of passing of the gavel. At installation, the outgoing president hands the gavel to the incoming board president. I've heard executive directors say they wish the gavel came with a message: "This is not a magic wand, crown or crystal ball." Wielding a gavel and being the chief elected officer does not guarantee success. Leadership of an association requires focus, determination and work, among necessary qualities.
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