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Every experienced association leader has encountered a challenging Board member at some point. I recall an incident from my early career where I served on a Board with an individual who resorted to throwing things at people when faced with disagreement (not surprisingly, I didn’t remain on that Board for long).Dealing with a difficult Board member can present challenges that extend beyond the confines of the Boardroom. Whether it involves disagreements over strategy or clashes in personalities, there are several strategies that can assist in effectively addressing such situations:Communicate openly and transparently.One key to dealing with a difficult Board member is to ensure open and transparent communication. This means being clear and direct in your communication and setting clear expectations for how you expect to work together. Don’t expect subtle hints to work.Seek to understand their perspective.They may be expressing a valid opinion in a challenging manner. It’s important to try to understand the perspective of a difficult Board member and consider their concerns and ideas. This may require active listening and asking questions to get a better understanding of their point of view.Establish clear boundaries.To prevent conflicts from escalating, it’s important to establish clear boundaries and communicate these to the difficult Board member. This could include setting limits on the amount of time you’re willing to spend discussing certain issues or establishing clear rules for communication.Encourage collaboration.Encouraging collaboration and teamwork can help diffuse tension and foster a more positive and productive environment. Consider encouraging the difficult Board member to work with other team members on projects and tasks to help build relationships and foster a sense of teamwork.Seek support from other Board members.If you’re struggling to effectively manage a difficult Board member, it can be helpful to seek support and guidance from other members of the Board. This could involve seeking the help of a neutral third party, such as a mediator, to facilitate discussions and find resolution.Consider alternative dispute resolution.If conflicts with a difficult Board member are unable to be resolved through normal channels, it may be necessary to consider alternative dispute resolution methods. This could include mediation or arbitration to help find a resolution that is acceptable to both parties.Remove the Board member.Removing a difficult Board member should be considered as a last resort when all other attempts to resolve the issues have been exhausted. It is essential to follow the proper procedures and consult legal guidance to ensure the process is conducted appropriately and within the boundaries of the governing rules.Take care of your own well-being.Managing a difficult Board member can be stressful and can take a toll on your well-being. It’s important to take care of yourself and seek support when needed. This could involve seeking the help of a coach or counsellor, or finding ways to manage stress, such as through regular exercise or mindfulness practices.If you are looking for support to ensure your Board is performing optimally, I recommend having a chat with the team at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enterprisecare.com.au/" data-mce-href="https://www.enterprisecare.com.au/">Enterprise Care</a>&nbsp;– specialists in association governance.

Dealing with Difficult Board Members

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A clear sense of purpose and vision is essential for the success and growth of your organisation. However, it can be easy to fall into common pitfalls when it comes to developing these important guiding principles. Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid when seeking to create a purpose and vision that truly resonates with your members and stakeholders: Keep it succinct. Keep your vision and purpose statements short and powerful. No one is going to be motivated by a vision and purpose that requires a cup of tea and a lie down halfway through.&nbsp;&nbsp; Don’t make assumptions about your members’ values and goals. It’s important to engage your membership in the process of defining your purpose and vision. This means soliciting their input and feedback, and being open to their ideas and perspectives. Avoid being too broad or vague. A purpose or vision statement that is too broad or vague will lack the necessary focus and direction to guide your organisation’s actions. Be specific and clear about what you hope to achieve, and how you plan to get there.Don’t neglect to consider the needs of your stakeholders.There may be people who are not currently members as your existing purpose is unclear or mis-aligned. Your purpose and vision should not just reflect the desires of your membership, but also take into account the needs and concerns of other stakeholders, such as staff, partners, and the broader community. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. A purpose or vision statement should inspire and motivate, and sometimes that means going against the grain or thinking outside the box. Don’t be afraid to be bold and innovative in your approach. Create a narrative. Make sure that your purpose and vision are aligned and complementary. The vision statement is the end state you want to achieve and the purpose is how you are getting there. Statements that fit together create a cohesive and consistent direction for your organisation. Don’t forget to review and revise. As your organisation grows and evolves, so too should your purpose and vision. Regularly review and revise these guiding principles to ensure that they remain relevant and meaningful to your organisation and its stakeholders. Don’t neglect to communicate and live your purpose and vision. Once you have developed your purpose and vision, it’s important to clearly communicate them to your members and stakeholders. But more importantly, you must actively work to live these principles in everything you do as an organisation. If you need a briefing on the future of associations for your board or a facilitator to ensure the success of your next strategic planning process, please contact&nbsp;<a href="https://smsonline.net.au/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Belinda Moore (opens in a new tab)" data-mce-href="https://smsonline.net.au/about/">Belinda Moore</a>.

Common Pitfalls To Avoid When Developing Your Associations Purpose and Vision

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As an association, it’s crucial to stay competitive and relevant in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. One way to do this is through the use of marketing automation. Marketing automation refers to the use of software and technology to streamline, automate, and measure marketing tasks and workflows.Save time and resourcesMarketing automation allows you to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time and resources to focus on more strategic, high-impact activities. For example, using a marketing automation platform, you can set up an automated email campaign to send a series of welcome emails to new members, without having to manually send each email individually.Improve lead generation and conversionBy providing personalised content and experiences, marketing automation can help to generate and nurture leads, leading to increased conversions. For example, you can use marketing automation to segment your audience based on their interests and behaviour, and then send targeted emails or ads with relevant content that speaks to their specific needs.Increase engagement and retentionMarketing automation can help to build relationships with members and keep them engaged through targeted, timely communications. For example, you can use marketing automation to send automated birthday or anniversary emails to members, showing that you value their membership and helping to foster a sense of community.Enhance data management and analysisMarketing automation enables you to collect and analyse data from various sources, giving you a more comprehensive view of your audience and allowing you to make informed decisions. For example, you can use marketing automation to track how members interact with your website and emails, and then use that data to optimise your marketing efforts and better understand your audience.Streamline workflowsMarketing automation allows you to streamline workflows and improve efficiency by automating tasks such as email marketing, social media posting, and lead nurturing. For example, you can use marketing automation to schedule social media posts in advance, ensuring that you have a consistent presence without having to manually post updates each day.Boost ROIBy automating tasks and targeting the right people with the right messages, marketing automation can help to drive more qualified leads and increase ROI. For example, you can use marketing automation to create targeted landing pages and forms that are tailored to specific audience segments, increasing the likelihood that they will convert into members or customers.Stay ahead of the competitionBy leveraging the latest technology and marketing best practices, associations that embrace marketing automation will be well positioned to stay ahead of the competition. For example, you can use marketing automation to A/B test different subject lines or email templates, helping you to identify what works best and staying ahead of the curve in terms of email marketing best practices.If you are looking to enhance your marketing automation, I recommend reaching out to&nbsp;<a href="https://memberboat.com.au/" data-mce-href="https://memberboat.com.au/">MemberBoat</a>. MemberBoat specialises in supporting professional associations and membership organisations with all their marketing efforts, and can provide cutting-edge marketing solutions for your membership.&nbsp;<a href="https://memberboat.com.au/" data-mce-href="https://memberboat.com.au/">Find out more here.</a>

Why Associations Should Embrace Marketing Automation

Sponsorship plays a vital role in the financial health and success of many associations. However, retaining sponsors can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you develop strategies to keep your sponsors engaged and committed to your association:Establish clear expectations and deliverables.Before entering into a sponsorship agreement, make sure that both parties understand and agree on what is expected from the relationship. This includes specific deliverables, such as branding opportunities and recognition, as well as more general expectations, such as alignment with your organisation’s values and goals.Deliver on your promises.If you have made certain commitments to your sponsors, it is important to follow through on those promises. Failing to deliver on your end of the bargain can lead to frustration and disappointment, and may ultimately result in a sponsor choosing not to renew their support.Communicate and build relationships.Sponsorship is not just a transactional relationship. It is important to communicate regularly with your sponsors and build personal relationships with them. This can help to strengthen the connection between your organisation and your sponsors and increase the likelihood of their continued support.Show appreciation and recognise your sponsors.It is important to show appreciation for your sponsors’ support and contributions. This can include verbal recognition at events, as well as more formal gestures, such as awarding sponsors with plaques or certificates of appreciation.Offer value to your sponsors.Sponsors are investing in your organisation because they expect to receive some kind of value in return. Make sure that you are delivering on this expectation by offering them meaningful opportunities, such as networking and promotional opportunities, which are aligned with their business goals.Review and evaluate the sponsorship relationship.Regularly review and evaluate the sponsorship relationship to ensure that it is meeting the needs and expectations of both parties. This can help to identify any potential issues or concerns and address them before they become major problems.Be proactive and responsive.If you want to retain your sponsors, you must be proactive in addressing their needs and concerns. This means being responsive to their inquiries and requests and being proactive in suggesting ways that you can further support their business goals through your sponsorship relationship.If you are looking for support to optimise your partnership programs, please contact Julian Moore from SMS at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:julian@smsonline.net.au" data-mce-href="mailto:julian@smsonline.net.au">julian@smsonline.net.au</a>.

Retention Strategies to Keep Your Sponsors

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Developing a strategic plan is an important step for associations looking to achieve their purpose and goals, but implementing the plan can be a challenge. Here are some practical tips for successfully implementing your association’s strategic plan:Communicate the planClearly communicate the strategic plan to all stakeholders, including staff, members, and board members. Consider holding informational meetings or creating a summary document to ensure that everyone understands the plan and their role in its implementation.Assign ownershipAssign specific tasks and responsibilities to individuals or teams to ensure that the plan is implemented effectively. Consider using project management tools or software to track progress and ensure that tasks are completed on time.Set clear goals and targetsSet specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and targets to help guide the implementation process and measure progress. Regularly review and update these goals as needed.Monitor progressRegularly monitor progress and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure that the plan is on track. Consider setting up dashboards or metrics to track progress and identify areas for improvement.Stay flexibleBe prepared to adapt and adjust the plan as needed, as circumstances and priorities may change over time. Consider holding regular check-ins or review meetings to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments.Seek feedbackInvolve all stakeholders in the implementation process and encourage them to provide feedback and ideas for improvement. Consider holding focus groups or surveys to gather insights and identify any challenges or opportunities that may arise.Celebrate successesRegularly celebrate successes and milestones along the way to keep momentum and motivation high. Consider holding events or recognising team members for their contributions to the implementation process.If you need a briefing on associations for your board, or a facilitator to ensure the success of your next strategic planning process, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:%20belinda@smsonline.net.au" data-mce-href="mailto:%20belinda@smsonline.net.au">Belinda Moore</a>&nbsp;for more information on how we can assist.

Practical Tips for Successfully Implementing Your Association’s Strategic Plan

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In the association sector, cultivating a sense of community among members is critical for building strong relationships, encouraging engagement and loyalty, and achieving organisational goals. Here are some of the ways successful associations are making it happen:Facilitate communication and collaboration among membersOne of the ways associations can cultivate a sense of community is by facilitating communication and collaboration among members. This can include providing online forums or discussion groups, hosting regular webinars or conference calls, and facilitating in-person networking events. For example, a professional association might host a monthly virtual roundtable discussion on a specific topic of interest to its members, or an industry association might host an annual conference that brings members together in person.Encourage member involvement and participationAnother way associations can cultivate a sense of community is by encouraging member involvement and participation. This can include providing opportunities for members to volunteer their time and expertise, or to take on leadership roles within the organisation. For example, a trade association might encourage members to participate in committees or task forces that help to shape the direction of the organisation, or a hobbyist association might provide opportunities for members to lead workshops or presentations at annual events.Foster a sense of belongingAssociations can also cultivate a sense of community by fostering a sense of belonging among members. This can include creating a welcoming and inclusive culture, recognising and celebrating member achievements, and providing opportunities for members to connect and socialise. For example, a sports association might host a member appreciation night at a local game, or an alumni association might hold a reunion event for former members.Promote a shared sense of purposeA shared sense of purpose is another important factor in cultivating a sense of community. Associations can promote a shared sense of purpose by clearly communicating their mission and vision, and by providing opportunities for members to contribute to the organisation’s work. For example, an environmental association might provide opportunities for members to participate in conservation projects or advocacy efforts, or a healthcare association might offer opportunities for members to contribute to research or education initiatives.Provide resources and support to membersAssociations can also cultivate a sense of community by providing resources and support to members. This can include access to information and expertise, as well as practical support such as discounts on products and services. For example, a professional association might offer members access to a members-only online library or provide discounts on continuing education courses, or an industry association might offer discounted rates on industry-specific software or tools.Create a welcoming and inclusive environmentCreating a welcoming and inclusive environment is another key factor in cultivating a sense of community. This can include initiatives to be more inclusive and diverse, and being mindful of the needs and preferences of all members. For example, an association might have a diversity and inclusion committee that works to ensure that all members feel welcome and included or might provide accommodations such as sign language interpretation at events for members who are deaf or hard of hearing.Recognise and celebrate member achievementsFinally, associations can cultivate a sense of community by recognising and celebrating member achievements. This can include publicly acknowledging member contributions, awarding awards or accolades, or recognising milestones such as anniversaries or retirements. For example, an association might hold an annual awards ceremony to recognise outstanding member achievements or might create a member hall of fame to honour long-time members.If you are looking for support to maximise the success of your membership program we can assist. Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:%20belinda@smsonline.net.au" data-mce-href="mailto:%20belinda@smsonline.net.au">Belinda Moore</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Strategies for Cultivating a Strong and Supportive Association Community

SMS specialises in AI, strategy, research, membership, and partnerships for associations, charities, unions, and other not-for-profit entities. Our assistance is tailored to your needs and budget with a focus on insightful ideas and practical solutions. We can assist with anything from a discussion on a specific issue to working with you on longer term projects.

Blog

Dealing with Difficult Board Members

Common Pitfalls To Avoid When Developing Your Association...

Why Associations Should Embrace Marketing Automation

Retention Strategies to Keep Your Sponsors

Practical Tips for Successfully Implementing Your Associa...

Strategies for Cultivating a Strong and Supportive Associ...