Planning for your 2025 Conference: Remember to Protect Your Volunteers!

For many associations and not-for-profit organisations, annual conferences or events are a highlight of the year. These gatherings provide a platform for members to connect, learn, and share ideas. Volunteers' contributions are often indispensable to ensure these events run smoothly. 

Membership Onboarding Done Right: Key Governance Actions for Associations and NFPs

What critical actions are required by all new potential members wishing to join your association, not for profit organisation or charity? 

Seizing Opportunities: How Associations Can Leverage Queensland's Expanded Made in Queensland Program

The Queensland Government's Made in Queensland program expansion represents a significant opportunity for associations whose members operate within or contribute to the manufacturing sector. This initiative aligns with the state's broader objectives to bolster local manufacturing capabilities, foster innovation, and attract new businesses, ensuring Queensland remains a competitive and thriving industrial hub.

Newly Appointed as a Director or Officer for your Association, Society, or Non-Profit Organisation

How to develop systems that will help you grow your membership

For over seven years during the 1990s, I was involved with the Total Quality Management Institute, formed by leaders of some of Australia's major corporations. 

Looking to grow your membership base?

There are many challenges that associations face when generating membership growth, particularly when competing with organisations providing services similar to your potential membership base. Here are some tips worth considering that have worked for our clients.

How to onboard a new Association Board Director or Committee member

Most Associations and NFP organisations rely on their members to govern their organisation. Many appointed to the Board have limited knowledge or training, so high-performing associations ensure their new Board members are fully inducted before attending their first Board meeting.

What are the most important policies for all associations?

One of the most important functions of an NFP Board is developing, implementing, and reviewing key policies. These are critical for volunteer Boards as they often act as a reference or endorsement of their values and culture.

Want to create member loyalty - create a surprise!

Although there is a buzz about AI, there are some innovative ways you can genuinely surprise your members so they remain loyal to your Association or organisation.

Belonging to an Association

How to Ensure the Viability and Relevance of Your Association

Many association Presidents and CEOs complain that their organisation has stalled, membership is dropping, and not much has changed in the last twelve months. So, what are the key factors separating a high-performing association from one spinning at the wheel?

Membership Renewals- Joining date or fixed date?

What are the real measures of a successful membership growth strategy?

How to manage your new Association Board

Boards and management of associations have very different roles, and these must be clearly defined to ensure that everyone is completing their responsibilities. When the Board and the CEO work effectively, operations run more smoothly.

Application Fees for New Members

Thought about an application fee for your new members?

How to develop a robust and enthusiastic Association Board

According to the latest figures from the ATO, there are 660,000 not-for-profit organisations in Australia, including registered charities, incorporated associations, and other entities.

The not-for-profit sector employs over 2 million people, and most organisations are governed by volunteer boards. Their success relies on the skills, knowledge, and experience of the appointed board or committee members.

Do we have a nomination for the role of Treasurer?

Top 5 tips before you send out member renewals

Are you about to send out your member renewals? Here are my five tips to consider before you send your renewal notices

Growing your membership with a Membership Drive

Do you need to grow your membership –it may have declined for some time.  You need to have a membership drive. So, where do we start?

Risk Assessing Third Party Agreements

No matter the size of your association, risk management is one of the significant challenges facing volunteer boards. Often, Boards are expected to meet and decide there and then to enter into contracts with suppliers, sometimes worth thousands of dollars, without a proper risk assessment.

How to deal with angry members of your Association

Have you had to deal with an angry member complaining about a service your association is providing?

Members are the lifeblood of associations, but when a member calls you to complain, how do you handle these incidents?

What are the spending limits for an Association CEO?

How much should an association or any organisation's CEO be allowed to spend?

Of course, it all depends on several factors, such as the size and financial health of the organisation. Having been a CEO of several similar organisations, here are some suggested guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Board

So, you have been elected or appointed to the Board of your member association or local not-for-profit organisation. Here is a brief overview of the roles and responsibilities of a Board.

What is next for your Association

As an association leader, you probably have a strategic plan for your organisation. But have you fully articulated why this plan is important? And have you done all of the necessary work to properly develop one?

Did you get the Association CEO job?

Congratulations if you have been appointed as the new CEO of an Association or not-for-profit Organisation.

As an association leader, I have had the opportunity to be appointed to this role several times, and I am happy to share a few lessons learned during this early time to help you succeed in your new role.

Updating your Constitution

Unlocking the Hidden Asset - Retirees can Transform your Association

In Australia, the aging population is not just a statistic but a significant shift that professional and industry-based associations must address. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that over 4.2 million Australians are retirees, and in 2023 alone, 145,000 individuals retired at an average age of 65.

However, within this challenge lies a hidden asset many associations overlook: their retired members' accumulated knowledge and experience. While many associations accommodate retiree members, only some fully tap into the wealth of expertise these individuals offer. Here are some ideas for engaging retired members

What are the Essential Skills for Association Administration Staff?

How to Craft an Effective Advocacy Strategy for Policy Change

Delve into expert tips and insights on how to implement the right strategy and tips to enrich your association's advocacy campaigns.

Closing Loopholes Changes: Closing Loopholes Bill Attains Royal Assent

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No 2) came into effect on 26 February 2024. The new legislation introduces new rules and changes some existing laws, including the Fair Work Act 2009 and comes into effect at various times between now and 2025.

Understanding the New Not-For-Profit Tax Changes

In case you missed it, we recently delivered an insightful webinar explaining the significant tax reform changes for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations. ATO Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Moltisanti shared her advice and guidance on the topic in great detail.

AES Warmly Welcomes Two New Consultants

AES is excited to introduce our two new team members, Jan Davis and John Kilgour, who will both bring a range of skills and knowledge to the team.

What makes a great Association President?

The Vital Role of the Association President: A Guide to Effective Leadership

Managing Audio-Visual Costs for Your Association Conference

Key Tips For Ensuring Conference Success

Building Wisdom to Face Change

We're experiencing change at an unprecedented pace, as seen with technologies like ChatGPT gaining 100 million users in just 2 months, far quicker than platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Netflix in their early days. With shifts in commerce, climate, and public discourse, how do association leaders and futurists respond effectively? Maxime Lagace says wisdom is key. Paul Tero introduces the “DIKW Wisdom Hierarchy,” emphasising the transformation of raw data into wisdom through description and understanding processes. Harness this model to guide your organisation and adapt to our ever-evolving world.

Remote Working Challenges for Industry Associations: An Analysis of a Landmark Decision

For leaders and executives within industry associations and not-for-profit organisations, the shift to remote working arrangements has presented both opportunities and challenges. Ensuring a seamless transition without compromising on the essential functions of the organisation is crucial. The recent case of Suzie Cheikho v Insurance Australia Group Services Limited presented at the Fair Work Commission provides invaluable insights into navigating this complex terrain.

Tips for Associations When Seeking Legal Advice

Navigating the complexities of legal advice? Dive into insights from AES Legal Advisor John Crobsy. From the nuances of 'confidentiality' and 'privilege' in solicitor-client communications to the intricate landscape of legal pricing—whether hourly rates, scale costs, or contingency fees.

Email vs. Phone Call: When to Use Each

Inbox overflowing? Email has become such a large part of everyday life that most of us receive dozens of emails a day, ranging from important work information through to spam from companies and brands. Unfortunately, with such a volume of messages, it can be easy for important emails to get lost, be forgotten about, or left in the “think about it later” basket for too long. A great way to avoid your important email message getting left behind is to avoid sending it as an email altogether. We take a look at when it’s a good idea to pick up the phone.

How to Continuously Evolve to Attract and Retain Members

Key Trends in Leadership for 2023

A new year is a great time for association leaders to take a look as their leadership style and reflect on how they could adopt new approaches to improve in 2023. From inclusivity and mental health awareness, to managing competition between and giving feedback to employees, we take a look at the key trends to have on your radar.

Key Trends for Strategic Planning in 2023

Are you ready to formulate and implement your strategic plan for 2023? While your association’s leadership team may be well versed in creating a plan for your future strategic direction, there could be emerging trends and considerations that you haven’t factored into your planning process. We take a look at the key trends that should be on your radar.

It’s Time to Stand Out

Humans have survived and evolved by blending in. As a species, we didn’t go to the edge of the forest and yell at the wild beasts on the savannah. We learnt to hide, to be inconspicuous. We learnt not to be different because standing out meant death. For brands and leaders, the rules are different. Being brave enough to stand up and stand out is rewarded.

Is Your Association Ready for 2023? How to Review Your Strategic Plan

With the new year fast approaching, now is the time to ensure your key documents are ready to help you achieve success in 2023. Central to this is your association’s strategic plan, which provides an overview of your goals and direction. But if you feel that your strategic plan hasn’t been well utilised by your Board this year, you need to make changes to ensure that your plan is being regularly reviewed and is working as well as it could to help your association achieve its objectives.

How to Ensure Your Association is Running at Peak Performance

Is your association operating at the best of its capabilities? For an association to be performing well, it needs to be involved and invested in a range of activities and programs that offer benefits to members and that contribute to the overall goals of the organisation. From creating a value-adding range of products and services, to hosting informative and engaging events, to working with strategic partners, there are many ways that an association can ensure it is achieving its objectives now and into the future. 

How to Cultivate the Best Possible Culture for Your Association

A positive work culture achieves more than just happier and healthier employees; it increases productivity, improves outcomes, and leads to long-term growth and success. However, cultivating this kind of culture and a workplace where employees want to grow and succeed isn’t easy. With a new trend of resignations and disengagement, it is now harder than ever to keep the best talent at your association.

The Ultimate Guide to Marketing and Communications for Associations

When running an association there are many different factors that make it successful. One of the most important keys to a thriving not-for-profit organisation is effective marketing. Marketing is the way you get your association out there. It helps you to build a large membership base, to promote your goals and drive traffic to your website. It is also a tool for developing a strong brand identity and to connect with potential members, sponsors and more.

 

The Policies and Procedures Every Association Must Have

The Treasurer: One of the Most Important Roles on Any Board

In any organisation the Treasurer bears the responsibility of managing its finances and overseeing all financial decisions. In a not-for-profit (NFP) association, much of the success of the organisation rests in its ability to acquire and appropriately utilise funds and thus the Treasurer plays an essential role in the NFP achieving its goals.

Planning Your Conference: Devising a Theme and Speaker Topics

If you're planning on hosting a conference in 2022, choosing a theme is an essential first step. Devising a theme that is exciting, relevant and thought-provoking is vital. Your theme will guide panel discussions and inform the topics presented on by keynote speakers.

In this article, we delve into why setting your conference theme should be an essential part of planning a conference. We also run through some tips on how to devise a theme that will help you build an engaging program

How to Deal with Member Complaints

How can you promote a positive culture within your association while dealing with a member complaint? Here are 7 points to consider before responding.

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How to Use Key Performance Indicators in your Strategic Plan

Does your strategic plan utilise Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)? KPIs are an important and useful planning tool that can be used in a strategic plan to provide a greater sense of purpose and to demonstrate tangible results. A successful strategic plan will include several KPIs to manage and track progress and success. When creating your Association’s strategic plan, it can be helpful to begin with the goals you want to achieve and considering them in terms of outcomes with quantifiable results.

Why Associations Need a Strategic Plan and the 5 Steps to Developing One

Why is it crucial that Associations have – and stick to – a strategic plan? A comprehensive strategic plan is the key to your Association’s ability to thrive and grow in a competitive, complex landscape. A strategic plan needs to clearly articulate your Association’s strategic priorities and how you are going to achieve them.

How to Successfully Allocate Tasks to Board Members

The Board of an association exists to guide the vision and strategic direction of the organisation. All Board members, along with the management team, are working towards this shared goal, which can sometimes make it challenging to decide who is responsibility for individual tasks. However, allocating specific roles and tasks to Board members helps to delineate between the responsibilities of the Board and those of the executive. 

Understanding the Diversity of Skills Needed for an Effective Board

Creating a successful and high-functioning association Board is one of the most challenging aspects of association governance, but it is also one of the most important. A great Board will create a clear vision for the association, strategise for a successful future, mentor the executive of the association, advocate in external circles, identify opportunities and clear the path of obstacles.

Advocating to Government During a Pandemic and Beyond

Last month, Association Executive Services hosted a webinar focussed on advocacy to government, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards. The objective of the webinar was to explore traditional methods of influencing government policy, how those have changed in the last two years, and how associations can build strong working relationships as we move into a post-pandemic recovery.

AES 2021 Technology in Associations Survey: Results Revealed

Association Executive Services recently distributed a survey to Australian associations seeking information on the technology they are using, including the costs of this technology, the challenges they have encountered, and any solutions they have found. The survey also focused on how they are thinking about technology into the future, and which platforms or software they are prioritising.

How to Make Sure Your Members Renew

At this time of year, many associations are busy sending out renewal notices to members. Retaining membership numbers year to year is a vital part of keeping an association sustainable and relevant. In fact, as much effort should go into your member retention strategy as does to your efforts for member acquisition.