Wouldn’t it be great if shopping for an association management system were as simple as buying a new shirt? You find one, try it on and – if it fits – you buy it. Unfortunately, finding the right AMS is...

Do you know where your association is headed? The answers lie in your financial reports. But what if you’re a volunteer board member who isn’t a whiz with numbers? You can still overcome your fear of figures and help your...

People seem to want everything for free these days – from cover charges at parties to online newspaper articles. Everyone expects value, but isn’t necessarily willing to pay for it. That frugality has spread to the association sector. Reliance on...

If you’re getting ready to start the sometimes daunting process of selecting a speaker for your stage, you’re undoubtedly aware of the tidal wave of details that need to be addressed to get the right person for the job. If...

Having the right people in place can make or break your association. You need staff members who are knowledgeable, professional and dedicated. Without those qualities, your association can’t thrive. The key piece of your personnel puzzle: the chief staff officer....

How often have you thought to yourself, “Wow, what a great board meeting”? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess your answer is one of two things: “Not very often,” or, “Never.” That shouldn’t be the case....

A strategic plan should serve as a road map for your association. The document can be in whatever format works best for your organization. Regardless of the format or length, it should establish direction and lead to future growth. Used...

Technology can be a wonderful thing–when used correctly. Tech tools empower your association to communicate efficiently and share information effectively. But all too often, disconnects exist among your technology and information systems. That can lead to annoying, frustrating and even...

Nonprofits by default are conditioned to think of themselves as anything but a business. Money is always tight, you are always looking for funding and you always need more. Unfortunately, as good intentioned as it might be, this mindset is...

Healthy internal relationships and mutual respect are critical to the success of any organization, and professional and trade associations are no exception. But those relationships can be incredibly difficult to manage. For associations, this rings especially true between board members...