Associations are complex systems. Many players--board members, members, sponsors, staff, volunteer leadership--shape its up and down seasons. A jumble of external and internal factors affects the association as well. The Life Cycle Of Associations All living systems, including associations, go through predictable life cycles: Birth Growth (formation, adolescence) Maturity Decline Death Healthy systems work to avoid decline and eventual death by using the wisdom and calm of maturity to … [Read more...]
Your Association: The Living Organism
Nonprofit associations: institutionalized organizations or living, dynamic organisms? Which view do you embrace? The Human Factors Associations are not buildings. They are not organizational charts. They are more than institutions governed by sets of rules, processes and formalities. I believe that associations are living organisms...when we allow them to be so. Associations are groups of like-minded individuals that form communities. Each community becomes an operational unit of a more … [Read more...]
Move From Broadcast To Social Engagement With Your Facebook Page
Most organizations are using their Facebook page to broadcast information versus using it for two-way communications. Missing the Mark With Broadcast Marketing Only They are missing the mark. They are doing all the talking. They come across as arrogant, egotistical and self-serving. They don't focus on their customers. They focus on themselves. These organizations are using old school push marketing techniques. They have yet to adopt the concept of "social." Those that continue to post … [Read more...]
Nine Key Principles For Association Success
Is the association business climate keeping up with increasing speed of change? The association C-Suite, along with their Board of Directors, continue their traditional plans for the future as if nothing has changed. Unfortunately, their conventional planning methods cannot cope with so much uncertainty. Living In Snow Globes Disruptive innovation usually forces unexpected chains of reaction and societal leaps. Most C-Suite association leaders are completely unaware of these changes. … [Read more...]
Does Your Association Need Ritalin For Organizational ADD?
A student said to Zen Master Ichu, "Please write something of great wisdom for me." Master Ichu picked up a brush and wrote one word: "Attention!" The student said, "Is that all?" The master wrote, "Attention. Attention." The student became irritable. "That doesn't seem profound or subtle to me." In response Master Ichu wrote, "Attention. Attention. Attention." In frustration the student demanded, "What does this word attention mean?" Zen Master Ichu replied, "Attention means attention." (From … [Read more...]
Seven Association Stakeholder Principles For 21st Century Success
Collaboration and stakeholders. Two words that strike fear in many association executive hearts. Yet, most associations were built on the foundation of involving all members, giving all members a voice and a vote, and allowing all stakeholders an opportunity to collaborate. Seven Stakeholder Association Principles For 21st Century Success Here are seven stakeholder association principles for 21st Century success that extend the thoughts from Seven New Association Attitudes For 21st Century … [Read more...]
Seven New Association Attitudes For 21st Century Success
TTWWADI (pronounced Twadee). "That's the way we've always done it!" It's probably the number one excuse used by association professionals to keep programs, services and processes average or status quo. It is heard in association board rooms and offices around the world. It is a major symptom of complacency that can eventually lead to collapse. Here are seven new association attitudes for 21st century success that combat TTWWADI. 1. A concentrated focus on improving the organization's capacity … [Read more...]
10 Ways To Ensure Your Nonprofit Volunteers Fail
As a former nonprofit employee and a volunteer leader, I've made many mistakes when it comes to volunteers. Here are a few I've learned the hard way, either through my own leadership missteps or from serving as a volunteer board member, committee chair or volunteer at large. 1. Don't think about each volunteer individually. Don't carefully consider each volunteer's strengths, talents and weaknesses. Don't ruminate about finding the right fit for them. Successful volunteers need room and time … [Read more...]
