Association 101 (8 CAEs)

Association 101 is eight-session program that provides a foundational overview of key areas in association management, designed to equip professionals with essential knowledge and practical skills. You’ll explore core functions like events, membership, finance, legal, and strategic planning, providing a solid base for success in the association world.

1. Meetings and Events
In the world of association management, your educational programs, events, and conferences play a pivotal role in connecting your members to your association and fostering connections among them. This session is designed to demystify association events, share effective networking techniques, and unveil strategies to enhance the overall engagement of your attendees. As part of Association 101 series, this session, like others in the series, serves as a foundational resource for newcomers to the association industry.

Learning Objectives:
•    Develop comprehensive meeting plans that align with clear objectives, ensure sound financial management, and engage audiences through tailored strategies.
•    Optimize event finances by creating detailed budgets, exploring diverse revenue streams, and implementing targeted marketing campaigns to maximize attendance.
•    Ensure flawless event execution by developing comprehensive plans, addressing potential challenges, and adhering to ethical standards while aligning events with organizational goals.

2. Membership Recruitment and Retention
Membership is at the core of every association. How is your organization recruiting, retaining and engaging its members? This session will explore ways to create valuable member experiences and help you discover strategies that increase member engagement and influence renewals. As part of The Essential Elements of Association Management, this session along with the others in the series will provide a baseline for new professionals in the association industry.

Learning Objectives: 
•    Identify successful strategies for member acquisition.
•    Determine why members choose to renew (or not) and barriers to long term loyalty.
•    Build new engagement techniques based on best practice and your members’ unique needs.

3. Finance
Basic financial knowledge is crucial for all association staff members, regardless of their position. This session will provide you with a thorough grasp of fundamental principles, concepts, and practical skills that form the foundation of association finances. With a strong understanding of the basics, you'll be better equipped to identify learning opportunities that directly align with the needs and goals of your association and your role, ultimately contributing to your professional growth and the success of your organization.

Learning Objectives: 
•    Gain insight into the importance of basic financial knowledge for all association staff members, empowering you to pose informed questions and contribute effectively.
•    Examine industry best practices in association financial management, covering essential topics such as accounting fundamentals, delineation of staff and volunteer roles, and awareness of important policies.
•    Acquire practical skills in interpreting financial statements, budgets, and planning tools, enabling you to play a proactive role in the success of your association's programs.

4. Working with Volunteers
From boards to committees, volunteers play important roles in forward an association's mission. This session explores methods associations use to engage working effectively with volunteers. As part of The Essential Elements of Association Management, this session along with the others in the series will provide a baseline for new professionals in the association industry.

Learning Objectives: 
•    Identify the key roles volunteers play in advancing an association's mission.
•    Describe effective strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers.
•    Explain how to effectively onboard and train volunteers.
•    Discuss best practices for managing and motivating volunteer teams.

5. Legal Considerations in Association Management 
This presentation will help you discover key rules and laws concerning board and association governance and risk management. Learn what to do to keep your organization on the good side of the IRS and how not to go to jail!

Learning Objectives: 
•    Understand the tools of governance that drive association decisions.
•    Define the legal duties of the board of directors.
•    Explore risk management policies and procedures to protect the association.

6. Strategic Planning
Many associations use strategic planning as a high-leverage organizational process that assesses an association's strengths and challenges and then creates outlines a plan for the future. This session will provide professionals with a baseline understanding of strategic planning at an association. 
Learning Objectives: 
•    Understand the fundamentals of association strategic planning.
•    Identify methods for assessing organizational strengths and challenges.
•    Recognize the steps in developing a strategic plan.

7. Government Relations
How do you build an effective association government affairs program? This session focuses on fundamentals from developing a legislative agenda and leveraging grassroots to building coalitions and tracking legislation to influence the outcome of issues that affect your members. 

Learning Objectives:
•    Identify effective internal government affairs processes that align legislative agendas with organizational missions.
•    Explore key advocacy strategies, including lobbying and coalition building, to advance legislative goals.
•    Identify legislative lifecycles, regulations, and monitoring resources.

8. Ethical Decision-Making and the Association Professional
The ASAE core ethical standards are built on 6 pillars: upholding the law, honesty, confidentiality, justice, ethical culture, and personal responsibility. However, applying an ethical decision-making framework within the association space can be challenging. This presentation will provide a foundation of pertinent ethical principles, discuss a decision-making framework for ethical dilemmas, and engage the learner in assessing case studies related to the professional’s responsibility in context with association ethics. 

Learning Objectives: 
•    Define ethical principles
•    Discuss the ASAE code of conduct and ethical standards
•    Identify an ethical decision-making framework
•    Apply ethical principles and standards to resolve conflict in the association space

 

Association 101 is sponsored by: 

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