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Newsletter - February 2010

President's Message - "All-Company Staff Meetings... Have They Lost Their Relevance?"
By G.A. Taylor Fernley, President & CEO

It is not so much about the meeting itself; rather, it is more about your company's culture and management philosophy. All of us have a different approach and/or philosophy to conducting meetings within our organizations. Finding ways to be more creative, stimulate excitement, and bring new life into your meetings will help in the successful delivery of important information. It may take time to determine just the right rhythm for your company meetings, but don't be afraid to make adjustments during the process. Whether you hold them monthly, quarterly, or annually, the agenda for your all-staff meeting should be well thought out and must have a direct link to your business plan. Keeping the plan in front of your associates will allow them all to see where the company is going and more importantly, motivate them to participate in the journey.
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Measuring Program Effectiveness
By Kristen Olszewski, Account Executive

Measuring program effectiveness can be a tough task for both associations and their members. The first step is to understand what "effectiveness" means for your association. Secondly, ensure that every objective is measurable. The key test is: if your program succeeds (or fails), how will you know? Taking the time on the front-end to thoroughly evaluate each program and the desired end results will save you time and money. Just because a program has been offered for many years, doesn't guarantee that it is still seen as valuable to your members.
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Strategic Visioning
By Ken Hutton, Executive Director

Having a written plan is a vital component for the survival of the modern association. Some call it long-term planning, others refer to it as strategic planning, but the term strategic visioning may be the most appropriate term. Strategic visioning is to proactively plan for the future. What you call it isn't nearly as important as committing to the actual planning process. Although the Board of Directors is responsible for setting the direction for the association, a great place to start is by surveying your members. After all, it is their association.
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Cut Costs, Not Quality: 5 Tips for Spending Less at Your Next Association Meeting
By Trish Keppler, Sr. Meeting Manager

Looking for a few fresh ideas to save money on your next annual conference? Start with a good hotel contract; minimize your risk by knowing your group's history before locking in a room block minimum. Go electronic! This option saves money and the environment. By posting materials on the association's website, timely updates can be made so that members can access the most current information as it becomes available. Work with the hotel's Chef to create menu options that fit into your budget instead of the other way around. Reduce AV expenses by borrowing laptops and projectors from members of the Board. You'll be amazed at the cost savings! Offer incentives for early registration in order to discourage last minute onsite registrations that can impact meal guarantees and room sets.
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Volunteer Leadership Today is produced quarterly as a service to the non-profit community that Fernley & Fernley, Inc. has served for well over a century. Articles or statements appearing herein are presented for informational purposes and do not constitute legal opinion, advice or judgment, and should not be relied upon as such. Inquiries or comments should be directed to info@fernley.com. For more information on Fernley & Fernley, Inc. and the professional services we offer visit our web site at www.fernley.com or call (215) 564-3484. © 2008 Fernley & Fernley, Inc.