Five "Next Practices" for Board Business-Model Stewardship

How can boards break free of old ways of thinking and help create new business models that will lead their organizations toward a more profitable, sustainable future? Consider these five "next practices."
By: Jeff De Cagna, FASAE

Should You Raise Your Prices?

When it comes to fees, be more strategic than sentimental. [Titled "Pricing Tune-Up" in the print version.]
By: Andrew S. Lang, FASAE

5 Ways Boards Are Killing Association Business Models

It's easy for association boards to get mired in outdated, conventional thinking. In an era when associations face daunting challenges, the very boards charged with leading them may be their own worst enemies. Take a close look at the five ways that boards are killing business model innovation. [Titled "Trapped in the Past" in the print edition.]
By: Jeff De Cagna, FASAE

Social Media and Money: A Pre-Annual Meeting Chat

Three association professionals discuss how an association can use social media to raise funds without alienating its members.
By: Lindy Dreyer, Sarah Sears, and Steve Drake

How Four Leadership Programs Thrive

People who are new to your association's industry are eager to learn the ropes, so your leadership program needs to offer more than busywork. Four associations show how a strong program can establish long-lasting bonds with the next generation of professionals. (Titled "The First Steps to Leadership" in the print edition.)
By: Beth Ziesenis

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:

  The New COO-CFO
  By: Mark Athitakis
  As the business of running an association grows more complex, understanding its operations is inseparable from understanding how its money moves. Brenda Hargett, CAE, is a pro at both. As COO and CFO at the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, that dual expertise has saved her association millions. [Titled "Double Duty" in the print version.]
• The CFO's Survival Kit for the (Kinda-Sorta) Recovery
  By: Whitney Redding
  The GDP is ticking up and the unemployment rate is ticking down, but a genuine economic recovery remains frustratingly out of reach. Amid such uncertainty, how should associations be thinking about their investments, budgets, real estate, and financial controls? Here's what you need in your survival kit.
• The Basics of Business Income Insurance
  By: Gayle Bennett
  From tornado to fire to civic emergency, an unexpected calamity can interrupt business and hit your bottom line. This primer brings you up to speed on how business income coverage can help.

Departments

• Ask the CEO: TESOL International Association
  Rosa Aronson, Ph.D., CAE, executive director, TESOL International Association, answers questions from TESOL member LaWanna Shelton.
  


• My Workspace: Play Ball!
  By: Julie Shoop
  Even in the off season, Duane Eaton recalls the boys of summer.
  


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

• What Future Leaders Need
  By: Mark Athitakis
  How to draw up a game plan for your next executives. [Titled "A Solid Start" in the print version.]
  


• 3 Lessons: Continuing Education
  For William D. Pawlucy, MPA, IOM, CAE, leadership means constant learning.
  


• CEO to CEO: Qualities of a Great CFO
  Association leaders share what they look for in a chief financial officer.
  

• Should You Raise Your Prices?
  By: Andrew S. Lang, FASAE
  When it comes to fees, be more strategic than sentimental. [Titled "Pricing Tune-Up" in the print version.]
  


• Coverage for Cancelled Events
  Eileen Hoffman, assistant vice president at Aon Association Services, on the essentials of event cancellation insurance.
  


• Should You Declare Yourself Tax Exempt?
  By: Wayne B. Henry
  Associations don't need the IRS to formally declare them tax exempt. But if you choose to self-declare, know the pitfalls first.
  


• Data Nugget: Fundraising Frustration
  A survey of nonprofits shows that fundraising directors are unhappy with their jobs, and their executive directors aren't happy with their performance.
  

• Is BYOD Worth It?
  By: Katie Bascuas
  Chris Jenkins, chief technology strategist at the Ohio Society of CPAs, explains costs and benefits of the bring-your-own-device trend. [Titled "Why BYOD?" in the print edition.]
  


• Strength in Numbers and Data
  By: Katie Bascuas
  Why the relationship between CFOs and CIOs is an important element of strategic success. [Titled "Shared Vision" in the print edition.]
  


• I Can't Live Without My ... TripIt
  Consolidate all your travel plans in one place with this app that also lets you share your itineraries with friends and family.
  

• Dues Payments Via Check on the Decline
  By: Joe Rominiecki
  The paper check is still common, but signs show that other forms of payment for association dues will likely surpass it soon. [Titled "Check's in the Mail?" in the print edition.]
  


• Open Your Association's Online Social Network to All
  By: Roy Snell
  One association executive explains why you should take down the walls around your association's social network. [Titled "Open Wide" in the print edition.]
  


• Best Benefit Ever: Scholarships
  The National Propane Gas Association helps its industry’s professionals send their kids to college.
  

• Go Green to Save Green
  By: Kristin Clarke
  Greener meetings can help planners stay in the black.
  


• Destination: Greensboro
  By: Samantha Whitehorne
  North Carolina's third-largest city is filled with history and unique spaces
  


• Data Nugget: Water Bottles at Meetings
  Why more associations are moving toward pitchered water.
  

• Books: Struggle Pays Off
  By: Kristin Clarke
  The challenges leaders face can be learning opportunities in disguise.
  


• Measuring Organizational Impact
  By: Kristin Clarke
  How buildOn.org uses dashboards to track success.
  


• Assess Your Strengths and Talents
  Career advice from Ann Ranson, coach and president, Bottom Line 3 Marketing. [Titled "Strength Training" in the print version.]
  

• Tax Time: IRS to Keep a Close Eye on Nonprofits
  By: Chris Vest
  The IRS 2013 work plan shows what the agency will be watching as tax-exempt groups file their Form 990s this year. [Titled "Under Scrutiny" in the print edition.]
  


• Spring Meeting Flings with ASAE
  Get ready for ASAE's packed spring meetings lineup. [Titled "Spring Flings" in the print edition.]
  

• Building a World-Class Team
  By: Mark Athitakis
  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.