You’re likely familiar with the planning chaos before the launch of an event: your team is scrambling to polish off details, items seem to be missing, and you’re in the midst of trying last minute strategies to drive more registrations. The commotion before your big event can make even the seasoned fundraiser think that more advanced planning could save you trouble. 

Inclusivity has increasingly become a central component of the digital strategies of a wide variety of associations and other membership organizations. 

Grassroots advocacy campaigns are built from groups of concerned individuals coming together to achieve a common goal. While successful advocacy movements rely on each and every supporter, campaigns don’t just spontaneously come together. Instead, they are guided by a strong advocacy leadership team. 

While the pandemic has introduced several new challenges to many organizations, membership programs have had to make more adaptations than others.

To attract new members and retain them year after year, you need to provide stand-out content that appeals to your association’s audience. Networking events and professional development opportunities are center stage when it comes to fostering the development of the future leaders in your group and maintaining their interest over time.

By ISAE Gold Partner VonLehman CPA Advisory Firm

Functional expense reporting became a requirement a few years ago when nonprofits implemented Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2016-14, Not-for-Profit Entities (Topic 958): Presentation of Financial Statement of Not-for-Profit Entities.  Have you given much thought since then to what you’re reporting? We’ve summarized some key points about functional expense reporting and some things to consider as you approach year end.

We’ve all sat through a boring training, class, or certification course. 

Modern associations and their communities are thriving online. With most face-to-face interactions still on pause (thank you, global pandemic) and online events growing in popularity, focusing on your association’s web presence and digital efforts is not just sound advice but essential to your success. 

Having a flourishing online community and optimized association website promotes association member engagement, retention, and recruitment. 

From Artisan E-Learning

By Craig Grella, Salsa Labs

While dues are certainly a key component of any association’s financial stability, the leaders at your organization — particularly those who work in finance and fundraising — understand that dues alone are not enough to keep an association afloat. 

By Elizabeth M. Roberson & Kate E. Trinkle
Krieg DeVault LLP

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Nearly 100 association professionals and industry partners/suppliers gathered both in-person and virtually for a unique hybrid program on Thursday, October 29 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, IN. "Back to Business: Planning Live Events During The Pandemic" was a collaboration between the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE), Meeting Professionals International's Indiana Chapter (MPI Indiana) and Minorities in Hospitality (MIH).

The purpose of this program was to:

By Kim Harwood, Results at Hand Software

Discover new ways to engage your attendees at your next virtual meeting! Remote games don't have to be time-consuming to create or even all that challenging to be FUN! Here are some suggestions for games you can create in minutes with your current event technologies (video conference platform, event app, survey tools).   

By Kay Neidlinger, CUDE, VP Communications, Indiana Credit Union League

Attending the sessions at ICON2020 are sure to check a lot of boxes for you as you find the tools and information to fuel your association’s success during these challenging times. One challenge that is sure to outlive the pandemic is revenue generation.

Whether your organization is on a national scale with board members across the country or is a local chapter with board members in close proximity, your team can benefit from hosting virtual board meetings.

By Alyssa Gibson, American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives

A few months ago, one of our volunteers approached us to inquire about education and networking for young professionals. While we could certainly provide a list of programs and resources appropriate for this segment of our membership, we realized there was a much larger opportunity to cultivate a community for members in this very important stage of their career.

The Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) staff recognize the current COVID-19 situation and its impacts on our members, partners and the associations they represent. ISAE is committed to providing maximum support to our members during this time of crisis and uncertainty. We will continually provide updates as the association industry, ISAE events, committee meetings and other member gatherings are impacted.

We believe it is vital to remain properly and responsibly informed on COVID-19. For the most up to date information, please visit ISAE’s COVID-19 Resource Hub.

By Kaitlin Borowiak

I recently sat down with American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives CEO Addy Kujawa, CAE, about sales and what she has learned from her ten years of selling for AAOE and taking their conference sponsorships from $30,000 to over $300,000 each year. Here are her top 5 tips to selling for your organization.

1. Make it a win-win-win situation. Are the vendors winning in this pitch? The association? The members? Everyone needs to win to make this a situation that will be valuable and successful to all of those involved. If it’s not a win situation, how can you make it one? Think about what makes your pitch unique and how it can offer value.
   
   
2. Build a relationship. The more you know your vendor base, the more successful you will be in selling to them. Keep in mind: you are helping them reach members and stay within their budget and this opportunity needs to be beneficial for both parties. The better you know your vendors, the better you will be able to fit them with opportunities that suit their preferences. If you don’t know, ask!
   
   
3. Always Customize. Customization takes time and getting to know your vendors. What does the company excel in? What can they offer your member? How do they want to interact with the members of your organization? Offer them multiple ways to engage with members. If you can cater a sales pitch toward these common goals, it will be a situation that everyone is excited about.
   
   
4. Offer multiple price points. If you are pitching to a new vendor, or an organization with a smaller budget, it is important to offer a low entry point for them to enter your market. And always have something they can do for no monetary investment. For example, can you offer them the opportunity to write an educational article in your newsletter? This gives them exposure to your membership, provides value to your membership, and they didn’t have to pay to place the article and you didn’t have to pay someone to write content.
   
   
5. It’s all about attitude. Not everyone likes sales, and that’s ok.  I learned I needed to be able to hear someone say ‘no’ ten times for every ‘yes’ I heard. Don’t let the ‘no’ get you down! Think, that’s one step closer to my next ‘yes’!  Smile while you’re on the phone, act confidently, stand up while you’re talking, and truly listen to your vendors. Finally, always remember to say thank you- even for that no. 

By Callie Walker, MemberClicks

Value is at the core of member retention. If a member doesn’t feel like they’re getting value from your organization, they’re likely to let their membership lapse. But on the flip side, if they do feel like they’re getting value from your organization, they’re likely to renew — and engage more with your offerings.