Millions of companies and executives worldwide look to Bill Gates for inspiration regarding success and profitability, and with good reason. His convictions regarding what makes or breaks a business have proven out in the marketplace time and time again. Microsoft is a profit giant, but can...
A previous post offered a primer on non-profit board functions. It outlined five key activities of every effective NPO board member: Determine the mission and purpose of the organization Select an executive director of administrator Provide feedback, report, and review for the chief executive Foster effective organization planning Ensure an...
When I network professionally, I have discovered that becoming a member of a non-profit board is not a “hot topic” for younger people. Many think that they need to be older, wiser, or more experienced before they have something to offer. Nothing could be further...
LinkedIn is a professional, business-oriented social networking service. Over the past year, it has made significant changes in its functionality with real benefits to not-for-profit organizations. Unfortunately, many associations spend precious resources on paid marketing efforts when LinkedIn’s new-and-improved functionality can accomplish many of the...
When board members are elected or appointed to their posts in an association or non-profit, the information packets they receive are filled with facts and factoids about the organization’s past, present, and future. What would further foster effective board leadership is a board member’s primer,...
The ultimate legal responsibility for the action (and inaction) of an association rests with its board. Board members are responsible for policy making while employees are simply responsible for implementing policies on a day-to-day basis. As an association board member, you have two roles. You’re a...
We work with both individual membership and trade associations and sometimes I’m asked to explain the difference between the two. The simple answer is, quite frankly, very simple – but beyond that there are two different cultures that these distinct organizations have. The simple answer is...
When people think of nonprofits they generally think of charitable organizations which are organized to help out society as a whole. The IRS, which grants corporations non-profit status indicates the following as the reason an organization can become a 501(c)3 - for any group “organized...
Who doesn’t love swag? Pens, mints, stress balls, mugs, Rubik’s cubes, t-shirts, bags, umbrellas, flashlights…the list goes on and on. As a general rule, If it’s mass produced you can get your logo it. As a non-profit association it is of supreme importance that your...
While membership and conference dues provide a good portion of revenue for an association, Sponsorships and the companies who purchase them are a crucial part of running a strong membership or trade association. And while the sponsoring company generally has their own marketing personnel or...