A Path to Passionate Volunteers

For 75 years, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has maintained 2,100 miles of footpath through mountain wilderness. A sustainable volunteer strategy carries the load. [Titled "Into the Wild" in the print edition.]
By: Kristin Clarke

Break Out of the Silo Mentality

Organizational silos don't just appear spontaneously. They're created by a mix of mindset, culture, and process factors that many associations share. The good news: If you can correct those factors, you can eliminate silos and keep them from coming back. (Titled "Bust Out of the Silo Mindset" in print edition.)
By: Jeffrey Cufaude

A Six-Way Advocacy Partnership

How a group of associations set aside their differences to support legislation. [Titled "Common Ground" in the print edition.]
By: Mark Athitakis

Building a World-Class Team

Associations can struggle to identify the right talent for international staff, both at home and overseas. Some flexibility, a global mindset, and an awareness of cultural differences can bridge the gap.
By: Mark Athitakis

Member Concierge: A Phone Call to Every New Member

What does it take to make personal phone calls to 1,000 new members in a year? And is it worthwhile? Terry Fong at the California Dental Association can tell you, with a smile. [Titled "Calling All Members" in the print edition.]
By: Joe Rominiecki

Negotiating Hotel Contracts
For your association's big conference, you want a top-notch facility and a positive experience for your members. The hotel wants your business now and in the future. Both parties can meet their goals when you prepare thoroughly, stay firm but flexible in negotiations, and keep an eye on the details. [Titled "In the Fine Print, a Fair Deal" in the print edition.]
By: Jeff Waddle

What Associations Can Learn from Political Campaigns
The hard-nosed, take-no-prisoners world of presidential campaign politics may seem a far cry from association management, but much of what James Carville and Karl Rove know about strategy speaks directly to association leaders. In separate interviews, they shared their secrets with Associations Now. [Titled "The Strategists" in the print edition.]
By: Mark Athitakis and Kristin Clarke

No Small Staff Is an Island
How the American Choral Directors Association has created a collaborative environment that benefits both its staff and members.
By: Samantha Whitehorne

Traveling Truck Exhibit Drives Workforce Development
The American Welding Society puts interactivity on wheels to attract younger generations to the profession. (Titled "Another Way to Go Mobile" in the print edition.)
By: Joe Rominiecki

The Benefits of Workplace Wellness Programs
Healthier employees make for a stronger association. If you're looking to build a workplace with more staff camaraderie, greater productivity, and less absenteeism, an organization-wide wellness initiative can help you get there. And the gravy? Lower insurance costs. (Titled "Well at Work" in the print edition.)
By: Jacqui Cook

Features

• Cover Story:

  Member Concierge: A Phone Call to Every New Member
  By: Joe Rominiecki
  What does it take to make personal phone calls to 1,000 new members in a year? And is it worthwhile? Terry Fong at the California Dental Association can tell you, with a smile. [Titled "Calling All Members" in the print edition.]
• What's Next for Tradeshows?
  By: Melanie D.G. Kaplan
  Is the tradeshow dying? A new ASAE report examines the future of tradeshows and identifies five scenarios for what they might look like in 2016. How will your association's event change? [Titled "Show Business" in the print edition.]
• A Path to Passionate Volunteers
  By: Kristin Clarke
  For 75 years, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has maintained 2,100 miles of footpath through mountain wilderness. A sustainable volunteer strategy carries the load. [Titled "Into the Wild" in the print edition.]

Departments

• Ask the CEO: National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  Tina Matsuoka, executive director, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, answers questions from NAPABA member Michael Yim.
  


• An Organized Global Strategy
  By: Mark Athitakis
  How RIMS made better sense of its international growth. [Titled "The World in Sync" in the print edition.]
  


• How Donations Drive a Message
  By: Julie Shoop
  The Cook County Farm Bureau's annual food drive shows how helping those in need can also send a message about the value an organization brings to the community. [Titled "Field to Fork" in the print edition.]
  


• Comings and Goings
  A roundup of new hires and other personnel moves in the association industry.
  

• A Six-Way Advocacy Partnership
  By: Mark Athitakis
  How a group of associations set aside their differences to support legislation. [Titled "Common Ground" in the print edition.]
  


• 3 Lessons: Change Management
  Rachel Tristano has learned leadership on the fly.
  


• CEO to CEO: Open Access vs. Members Only
  CEOs share guidelines that their organizations use to determine whether to keep content behind a member login or have it be open to the public.
  

• Legal Fallout From Federal Conference Cutbacks
  By: Audra J. Heagney
  With scandals and sequestration leading to reduced meeting attendance by federal employees, associations need to keep an eye on their contracts and insurance coverage. [Titled "The Fed Effect" in the print edition.]
  


• What a Job Board Can Offer
  A primer on virtual career centers, the place where jobs, learning, and professional development intersect. [Titled "Career Center 101" in the print edition.]
  


• Idea Bank: Pocket-Sized Plan
  By: Rob Stott
  Your strategic plan doesn't have to weigh your members down.
  


• Data Nugget: Gassed Up, Going Nowhere
  A look at which U.S. cities' drivers waste the most gas, based on fuel prices and time spent delayed in traffic.
  


• Associations USA: New Hampshire
  Associations are everywhere. Here's a snapshot from the Granite State.
  

• Five Mobile Tech Trends to Watch
  By: Scott Steinberg
  Don't miss out on these latest innovations to keep pace with your mobile-savvy members. [Titled "Tech to Watch" in the print edition.]
  


• Air Mail: Benefits of Cloud-Based Email
  American Health Care Association CIO Paula Warren explains why AHCA moved its email to the cloud
  


• I Can't Live Without My … iPassword App
  Consolidate all your passwords into one.
  

• Do Your Members Know What Your Benefits Are Worth?
  By: Joe Rominiecki
  Money Talks: Here's how to remake your benefits brochure to show ROI in dollar values.
  


• How to Disarm a Disgruntled Member
  By: Eric Duchinsky, CAE
  Three tips on keeping a disruptive member from running wild. [Titled "Disgruntled No More" in the print edition.]
  


• Best Benefit Ever: Reports to Share
  The National Association of Elementary School Principals provides members with ready-made reports to send to parents to get them engaged in their children’s learning.
  

• A Virtual Meeting Success Story
  By: Samantha Whitehorne
  One association's hybrid event adds value. [Titled "Virtual Success" in the print edition.]
  


• Destination: Little Rock
  By: Samantha Whitehorne
  Arkansas' largest city mixes history with recently updated venues.
  

• Books: A Healthy Workplace
  By: Kristin Clarke
  Want a happy and productive staff? Take these lessons from Marriott International's success.
  


• How to Deal With Office Bullies
  By: Kristin Clarke
  Tap into martial arts to defend yourself in the workplace. [Titled "Office Bullies" in the print edition.]
  


• Is it Time to Leave Your Current Job?
  Advice from Cheryl Palmer, professional resume writer and founder of Call to Career. [Titled "Time to Go?" in the print edition.]
  


• How I Got Here: Denise Froemming, CAE
  Follow the career path of Denise Froemming, CAE, CFO and executive vice president of administration of the American Health Information Management Association
  

• Limit On Government Employee Attendees Dropped
  By: Chris Vest
  An amendment that would have prevented government agencies from sending more than 25 employees to a conference was nixed.
  


• Snap Learning With Canada
  By: Rob Stott
  In the Snap Learning Spot, Great Ideas attendees found fun with Canadian flair.
  


• There's Something for Everyone at Annual Meeting
  Tips for navigating the 2013 ASAE Annual Meeting in Atlanta—for rookies and veterans alike.
  

• What's Your Response to Responsive Design?
  By: Christine Umbrell
  Nine reasons why responsive design is a "must-have" for association websites in a world that's gone mobile
  


• Cloud Coverage: Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Your IT Infrastructure
  By: Karla Taylor
  Wondering whether your AMS and other systems should stay in house or move up to the cloud? Here's what to consider. [Titled "Cloud Coverage" in the print edition.]