Professional membership associations, like all organizations, encounter
times of transition. We have created this 3-part series to help association
boards navigate smoothly through these challenges. In this first installation
of our series, we help you plan for a successful search.
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Retiring long-time executive directors, changes in management, and even crisis situations can require boards of directors to secure new leadership and management solutions for the associations they serve.
Some big-picture factors to consider during a transition:
- What plans, processes, and policies exist that can support the board during this time of transition?
- Is there a key group of volunteer leaders who have been assigned responsibility for smoothly shepherding this transition?
- Has your board considered the pros and cons of different management models?
If your association is accustomed to a different management model, you may want to consider the value that an Association Management Company (AMC) can bring to the table. According to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)*, shared expertise and collective brainpower are two important, unique benefits that association management companies (AMCs) provide to their client associations.
*ASAE “Associations Now” Guide to Association Management Companies, July 2013
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As you begin your search for an association management company (AMC), determine what you hope to accomplish, and create a plan to meet your goals.
According to Dara Rudick, Management HQ CEO and Certified Association Executive (CAE), “Pinpoint what you hope to accomplish, and what your association will have accomplished at the end of one-year and five-years with your ideal management partner.”
These are some questions that groups often find helpful in narrowing their search:
- What is the scope of services your association is seeking? Click for a list of services.
- What type of leadership will fit your needs? Some associations provide full executive leadership, while others provide more administrative support.
- What is the mission, culture and values of the association? Do we seek a management partner whose mission, culture and values match our own?[/bra_toggle]
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Determine your work plan, including how you will manage and communicate throughout the process.
“It is important to determine tasks involved in the search,” says Rudick. “By laying out your plan, your group is much more likely to stay on task.”
Some keys to a solid work plan:
- List all activities needed to accomplish your goal
- Include development of communications materials
- Define timelines
- Assign responsibilities to determine who will be responsible for what activities[/bra_toggle]
Associations bring out the best in professionals, allowing them to collaborate, educate, and succeed.
They give industries the tools they need to thrive. With this level of influence, selecting the right
management partner for your association can have far-reaching results.
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Next in our “Selecting Association Leadership” series:
Part 2 of 3: Defining your Search Criteria
Part 3 of 3: A Smooth Management Transition
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