To most it is clear that volunteers are the lifeblood of an association and without them the organization would merely survive and not thrive. In a number of organizations volunteers are treated differently than employees by leadership.

Volunteers need to feel as though they are heard and that their time and input is valued. If they do not receive this type of feedback it is likely that they will quit. Even though employees and volunteers are usually viewed as very different they are quite similar in this case. Even though it might not be as obvious that this was happening because while an employee may not be able to simply walk completely away they do however have the ability to quit in place.

So the question is what if you treated everyone like they were one of your volunteers? According to Richard H Axelrod there are four strategies to engage both your volunteers and employees.

1. Find out what is important to people and help them achieve their goals. Find out what your volunteers and employees are passionate about and support them. Simply start by asking them what they care about and why.

2. Unleash talent by letting people identify and work on issues that are important to them. In some organizations when people have an idea for improving the organization all they have to do is gather a group of people and go to work. If the project requires financial support they submit for approval. By trying a similar procedure in your organization you can uncover hidden talent.

3. Make meetings matter. Each meeting needs to have an agenda and a purpose. Having a facilitator can assist in making the most of your meetings by allowing everyone to feel valued.

4. Lead with an engagement edge. With successful leaders one thing normally stands out: They take honesty, transparency and trust seriously. They practice these beliefs everyday and it encourages their volunteers and employees to do the right thing.

Awards of Excellence Over $750,000

Community/Philanthropic Program: Kappa Delta Pi
Runner Up: Indiana Apartment Association

Convention: Alpha Chi Omega
Runner Up: Indiana Bankers Association

Government Affairs Program: Indiana Bankers Association

Innovative Marketing Campaign:
National Chimney Sweep Guild
Indiana Restaurant Association

Membership Program: Indiana CPA Society

Newsletter/Bulletin: AMOA-National Dart Association
Runner Up: Indiana Bankers Association

Non-Dues Revenue Program: Sigma Theta Tau International

Outstanding Individual Program: Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Runner Up: Indiana CPA Society

Professional Dev. Program: Indiana Apartment Association
Runner Up: Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Website: Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
Runner Up: Kiwanis International Key Club

Magazine/Newspaper: National Private Duty Association
Runner Up: Kiwanis International

Awards of Excellence Under $750,000

Community/Philanthropic Program: Indiana State Bar Association

Convention:Indiana Economic Development Association

Government Affairs Program: Indiana State Bar Association

Innovative Marketing Campaign: Indiana Economic Development Association

Membership Program: Indiana Commercial Board of Realtors

Newsletter/Bulletin: National Council of Acoustical Consultants
Runner Up: Indiana Economic Development Association

Non-Dues Revenue Program: Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association

Outstanding Individual Program: MPI-Indiana Chapter
Runner Up: Indiana Economic Development Association

Professional Dev. Program: Indiana CCIM Chapter

Website: Indiana Rural Health Association

Golden Shoestring: Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association
Runner Up: Indiana Economic Development Association

Supplier

Supplier Website: SpinWeb

Supplier STAR Service: Horizon Convention Center

Supplier Marketing: Indianapolis Marriott East
Runner Up: Spin Web

Supplier Industry Innovation: SpinWeb

Individual Awards

Executive of the Year: S. Joe DeHaven

Association Professional of the Year: Melissa J. Heeke, CAE

Rising STAR of the Year: Andrea Cowan

Associate of Year: Deann Patena

Supplier of the Year: Horizon Convention Center

In addition to the usual festivities, this year's event included a silent auction with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Indiana Experience. We are thankful for all of the generous donations and bids that made the silent auction a huge success.  We were able to donate $3304 to VSA to assist them in achieving their mission.

Thank you to our generous event sponsors!

Make the resolution to invest in yourself professionally through top notch education and networking and join your colleagues who have already renewed! SAE membership offers association professionals the chance to grow professionally through the ability to share knowledge with your peers, attend educational events, and much more. This year ISAE has resolved to be more relevant than ever and focus on assisting our members in taking their careers and their associations to the next level by offering new products and services.

What you stand to gain:

• More than 40 hours of professional development opportunities!

• Outstanding professional networking!

• Ability to stay abreast of non-profit news though the ISAE Twitter feed!

• 24 hour access to the association community through updated ISAE website and the ISAE Facebook page!

• Member only opportunities including: discounted event pricing, FREE job postings, FREE CAE study sessions, access to online resources and an online community of association professionals!

Online renewal is available and as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4

1. Log onto ISAE website

2. Enter your last name and first initial

3. Update your information

4. Submit payment
   

There is only one way to make sure that you have the opportunity to take advantage of these opportunities…Renew today!

Thank you to those that have renewed your 2011 membership!