Introduction
This association of housing authorities transitioned from a “captive staff” association coordinator, to recognizing efficiencies of scale and size by outsourcing their staff leadership, management, and logistics to Management HQ.
The results: within one year, IAHA enjoyed an effective new online presence and re-brand; 100% membership retention in the first year of the MHQ IAHA partnership; and the implementation of best practices in board leadership, event coordination, and organizational budgeting.
Challenge
The Illinois Association of Housing Authorities (IAHA) unites members in advocacy and the exchange of ideas. When this important organization’s association coordinator left, the board of directors needed to stabilize the association, determine long-term direction, and secure IAHA’s future.
“IAHA originally chose to work with Management HQ because we were looking for an association coordinator who would bring sound association management experience to the table,” said Dennis Green, 2015 IAHA Board President and Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pekin.
“We sought a coordinator who had an understanding of best practices in the association industry, and would bring new ideas and a fresh perspective.”
The IAHA board explored a number of options to meet this need.
“We were not only searching for an association management [AMC] partner, but we were also considering directly hiring an individual association coordinator,” said Green. “During our search process, we received a recommendation to talk with MHQ.”
Solution
After running an RFP process for AMCs and individual coordinators, MHQ rose to the top.
“We were looking for someone to provide service and value. This time around, we took a different approach and saw what others were doing with new ideas in the industry and we finally looked at AMCs,” said Green. “We had not done that before. Previously, we worked with a few different volunteers and coordinators from the housing authority field.”
MHQ selected an association coordinator for IAHA based on the group’s specific needs. Kate Cole, a Certified Association Executive, brought to IAHA more than two decades of association management experience.
“MHQ’s association coordinator serves IAHA with the same level of customization and individual attention that a ‘captive staff’ coordinator would,” said Green. “In addition, IAHA benefits from the specialized expertise of the other MHQ team members.”
“We take away the day to day issues, so the professionals can do what they do best. We want the best for IAHA; we want this association to thrive.” says Kate Cole, MHQ association coordinator for IAHA.
Results
Within one short year, MHQ helped to drive IAHA to the next level.
“MHQ has already done a great deal for IAHA,” said Green. “For example, they helped us to document, understand and communicate board and officer responsibilities. This information is not only helpful within IAHA; our board members can also share the information with their own Housing Authority boards of directors.”
In working with MHQ, IAHA has also enjoyed an effective new online presence and re-brand; 100% membership retention in the first year of the MHQ IAHA partnership; and the implementation of best practices in board leadership, event coordination, and organizational budgeting.
“I am pleased with the level of professionalism and expertise that MHQ brought to IAHA,” says Green.
“MHQ’s association coordinator serves
IAHA with the same level of customization
and individual attention that a ‘captive staff’
coordinator would. In addition, IAHA
benefits from the specialized expertise of the other
MHQ team members. MHQ has already done a great deal for IAHA.”-Dennis Green, 2015 IAHA Board President and Executive Director for the Housing Authority of the City of Pekin
