Like gazillions of others around the globe, as of late I have spent some (aka way too much) time binge-watching TV. I subscribe to a variety of streaming services and recently selected a potential new addiction. After the first somewhat engaging episode, the little black box popped up in the corner and informed me, ‘120 seconds until the next episode’ and even included a clock politely counting down. I said aloud with disgust to no one else in the room, “Are you serious right now?” Continue reading “Seriously?”→
Our latest outreach and education effort is a new video blog that addresses issues of importance and hot topics in the association and nonprofit communities. We encourage you to check it out and hope you enjoy it! Association Peeps in Cubicles Drinking Coffee
Many associations include advocacy as part of their mission. There are the standard methods, such as lobbying, working with allied organizations and communicating with regulatory agencies.
Ignite That Spark in Your Members: Resources For Using Technology to Engage Association Members
By: John Ricco, CAE
The Pareto Principal. You may not know exactly what it is, but you experience it all the time. Better known as the 80/20 rule, the Pareto Principal suggests that 20 percent of your members probably do 80 percent of the work. So how do you lighten the burden for the overextended 20% and at the same time create meaningful involvement for others? Continue reading “Ignite That Spark in Your Members”→
Do you have a vested interest in enhancing your skills and advancing in the association industry? Just as other industries require a license, the association industry has a handful of certifications to allow you to demonstrate a firm understanding of industry standards and possess the ability to put them into practice. These two certifications are specific to our industry and could be beneficial to your career: Continue reading “Certification Is Current”→
One of the most important aspects of board management, which can often be undervalued and underutilized, is a proper board orientation for new and incoming volunteer leadership. The board orientation is the best opportunity for welcoming a new board member, teaching them about the association, the expectations, the processes and the culture.
Think about it like this – would you hire a new staff member without providing them with some initial information and training? I sure hope the answer is no! If someone isn’t properly on-boarded, can they really be effective?
Image courtesy of MR LIGHTMAN at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
A 2003 Study called the, Mellon Learning Curve Research Study showed that the average time for new hires, external to the organization, to achieve their full level of productivity ranged from between eight weeks and 20 weeks depending on the profession.
Fast forward to board orientations…what are you doing as an association to ensure that your board members, who essentially are external hires of your association volunteer leadership are effective on the shortest time possible?
So, ask yourself, how does your board orientation measure up?
Take the quick 10 question assessment below to see how your board orientation measures up and to help identify gaps in your program.
Do you provide your new leadership with a copy of the current association budget, a copy of the association’s most recent financial statement and/or a copy of the most recent audited financial statement?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with information relative to their board responsibilities (i.e. job description, behavioral expectations, attendance requirements, etc.)?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with written association policies (i.e. antitrust, conflict of interest disclosure, etc.)?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with copies of the current articles of incorporation and bylaws?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with information on all standing committees and task forces?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with a current copy of the association’s strategic plan?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with meeting minutes for the previous year so they are aware of recent board decisions?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with information on staff and who to contact for what?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you provide your new leadership with information relative to the difference between board roles and staff roles?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
Do you have an orientation call or in person meeting for new leadership?
YES, prior to the term – 3 points
YES, within the first few months of the term – 1 point
NO – 0 points
BONUS: Add 1 additional point if an outside facilitator is used for this call or meeting.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
SCORING
20 to 31 points – Congrats! Your board orientation seems to be very comprehensive and you seem to be anticipating the information that your board needs and providing it in advance. You should teach a class!
10 to 19 points – You are on the right track! It sounds like you are working to provide a sound orientation for your board. Keep up the great work!
0 to 9 points – Sounds like there are opportunities for improvement! Consider if items are missing or if you might be able to provide them earlier to make sure that new board members start off on the right foot.
So, how did you measure up? Are you brave enough to share it in the comments of this blog?
Bottom Line: No matter what you scored on the assessment above, there are always opportunities for improvement on your board orientation. If you are a member of an SAE, such as the Florida Society of Association Executives, ask your fellow members what they do as they on-board new volunteer leadership. Or take a moment to ask your current volunteer leaders what information they wish they would have received prior to their term or within the first few months of their term.
Additionally, below are a few great resources for improving your board orientation program:
By: Shelly Sobol It’s not that I’m asking for some cheese to go with my ‘whine’, it’s just that lately I’ve learned more about event planning than I ever thought possible in a short amount of time. I’ve been working at Partners for 7 years this July and while I’ve never directly planned a board meeting, annual conference or training. I’ve sat by and listened; listened intently to everything that can and will happen when planning an event. I’ve quietly collected this knowledge for the time that I’ll need to use it. And that time is now! Continue reading “One Bride, Two Events”→
Yes, you heard me right – I used financials and fun in the same sentence!
One of the most important aspects in any organization, whether for profit or not-for-profit, is the ability to maintain strong financials. For “type A” folks like me, just talking about financial statements gives me quite the rush. However, no matter what your personality type is, it is imperative to fully understand your association’s financials. Continue reading “Fun with Financials”→
Let’s face it – if I say policies and procedures, most people will stop reading this blog, another group will yawn or shudder and a few (albeit very few) people get excited.
If you are one of those people who likes details, organization and facts, then this blog is for you. If you are one of those people that prefers the big picture and doesn’t fancy structure, then this blog is a must read. Below are some things that are extremely important to ensuring that your association has crucial policies in place that will guide your leadership and staff and may help prevent issues with the IRS or other government agencies. Continue reading “Precision Policies Can Protect Your Association/Non-Profit”→
facts, then this blog is for you. If you are one of those people that prefers the big picture and doesn’t fancy structure, then this blog is a must read. Below are some things that are extremely important to ensuring that your association has crucial policies in place that will guide your leadership and staff and may help prevent issues with the IRS or other government agencies. 
A Blog by Partners in Association Management 