Dec. 28, 2009 - Don't Wake Me When You Leave
Don
I drove past it twice. It was just a little motel, a run-down ma-and-pa independent, and the unlighted sign was sort of hidden among the overgrown bushes on the side of that stretch of highway. There was no advance warning, either—just the tiny little drive curving around behind the dense greenery.
On the third try I managed the correct turning and pulled up to a door with a sign that commanded: “Register”. The motel lobby was a narrow glassed porch with a pass-through window into someone's living room, a kitchen beyond. Everything smelled of pot roast.
“I have a reservation,” I said to the unsmiling woman who emerged from the back. She made a show of looking through a metal file card box and produced the only card in the first divider. “Lindenau?”
“That's me,” I responded.
“King bed, no smoking, number 22 in the back, leave the key in the room when you leave, that'll be $65.”
She handed me the key on a large plastic tag marked “Country Motel 22” and pushed the sliding window closed. Her broad back was outlined briefly against the kitchen light, then she disappeared.
Well, I mused, welcome to me after my long drive down here. I drove around to the back of the building and found single story rectangular gray building, six brown doors, each separated by a curtained picture window. I parked in front of '22' (which more accurately should have been '3') and entered the gloomy room.
Maybe it was because I was thinking about tomorrow's presentation for a client, a leadership training session for 2010 association volunteers, but I couldn't help ask myself, “What's the lesson here? What is the Country Motel teaching me about Realtor association management—particularly about the treatment of new customers?”
In the first place, the prospective member shows up at an association office to sign up because she's been directed there by her broker. Just as my client said to me, “Stay at the Country Hotel, it's real close to the presentation venue”, the new Realtor is at the association door because her employer said, “You gotta do this if you want to get MLS service. Go pay your money, and then come on back to the office.” Not an endorsement or an explanation—just a directive.
Now here's the question: what's your association's process for welcoming applicants? Can they find your driveway? Are they greeted warmly or do they feel as if they've interrupted your office routine? Does someone smile at them and offer to spend a few moments answering questions? Do they feel as if they've made a good investment in the organization, or are they just send around to the back, to some anonymous structure which is even more unappetizing and bleak?
To further the analogy, as I entered my room at the Country Motel I found the bare necessities: a miniscule bar of soap, an old TV, some thin towels, a square pushbutton telephone. What I could not find were people comforts: a local map, a restaurant directory, internet access, coffee, food, ice.
I did, however, discover ample evidence of my unworthiness as a guest and a human being: the word “no” was everywhere.
“No smoking, you will be fined $500.”
“No long distance phone calls—phone will not work when a '1' is dialed first.”
“No pets.”
“Air conditioner not working during winter months.”
“Don't take Kleenex box.”
“Motel office closes at 9 PM. Do Not Disturb after that.”
“Hangars remain in room.” (And how could they not? They were curled tightly around a metal rod.)
“Do not remove TV remote.”
OK, I got it. I am considered an idiot and a thief. The management has anticipated every wrong move I might make and emphasized each with a rule and a punishment.
And I wonder, is this how a new member feels in our associations? We take her money and we hand out the rules: here's the code of ethics and here's what we will do to you if you don't play the game right. Here's the MLS rules and the fines for ignoring them. Here's the menu of services and products—and the prices for each. And oh by the way, here's the list of committees: we expect you to be a participant, an RPAC donor, a good citizen.
In the morning, just leave the key in the room. Don't wake anybody on your way out.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Don't Wake Me When You Leave : Off Stage
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thoughts on Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Tax Status — Association Inc
In fact, the whole reason for an association to “think” like a for-profit and create high-margin products and services (like those I discussed in my last post), is to generate cash to help support the mission activities that an association undertakes but which aren’t easily “charged” for. The money doesn’t go to shareholders, it goes to the organization, which can then use it to (hopefully) “think (and act) big” in terms of the sector it serves.
Now, if your association doesn’t actually do any “mission” activities — if all you offer are things like training, content, magazines, tradeshows, etc. — then maybe it’s time to rethink your tax status. In that case, your non-profit governance baggage and lack of entrepreneurial-type rewards for staff is probably putting you at a disadvantage compared to other competitors.
But for those of us who work for associations because we like making a bigger difference for the sectors we serve, I think the non-profit status still makes sense. (And for-profit groups recognize the value of non-profit operations; I know of at least two in the construction industry that have formed c(3) foundations to raise money for educational support.) But I believe we must be conscious of the structure we choose (or “structures” for those who have more than one corporation) and its impact on how we operate. As opposed to just “being” a certain way because that’s what we have always been.
To my Realtor association friends, there's much in this blog that bears thinking about. My big question is, what "mission" activities do Realtor associations do? I mean really--we give lip service to some, but "Protecting Private Property Rights" has, in recent years, given way to a more self-serving "putting the Realtor in the center of the transaction." Perhaps it time to think seriously about tax status: if we are in the business of generating goods and services which produce non-dues income, isn't it time to declare ourselves as we really are? And maybe set up a foundation for our 'mission-related' activities? I think we'd be better at both types of activities if we were structured that way....
Friday, December 18, 2009
Association Inc — The business of associations
ASAE’s Acronym blog is promoting what it calls “Big Ideas” month, though it really isn’t — it’s more like “What If?” month.
So here’s my what-if question: What if associations weren’t so damn afraid to generate serious cash?
Because you can, you know. Did you know that?
Never mind your archaic governance structure, your internal politics, your consultants who think every little thing you do should be strategized or categorized, your bizarre “I don’t care about money, I care about mission!” attitude (as if fulfillment of any mission is possible without big, fat, green dollar bills) …
No, if you’re worried about making this year’s budget or next week’s payroll (those being the sorts of things that those of us who actually run associations worry about) — you really have no choice but to set all those things aside and think, “How can I bring in some serious cash in the door, quick?” The good thing is, for a typical association, it’s not as hard as some people make it out to be. Heck, this morning at 11:35am I was struck by an idea, and at 11:40am an email was sent out to an opt-in list that had brought in 10k by the end of the day.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Off Stage
Dec. 10, 2009 - Ten Red Balloons: Lessons in Volunteer Management
DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is known for its interesting projects. The latest was a one day contest held on December 5: DARPA asked people to find the coordinates of 10 red weather balloons floating above the U.S. on that one day. Since no one individual could plot the location of all 10, participants had to figure out how to work with others to solve the puzzle
The prize was $40,000—and Team MIT won it by constructing a worldwide social network that resulting in finding all 10 balloons in just 9 hours. And, of 4,300 who signed up to participate in the challenge, MIT was the only contestant to accurately locate all 10 balloons.
Team MIT's strategy offers lessons for associations considering using social networking to achieve their goals.
Here's how MIT did it. MIT researcher Riley Crane lead a 5-person 'Red Balloon Challenge' team. The team's strategy was to build a Web site designed to attract more and more followers--people who might know the balloons' locations themselves and those could bring aboard others who knew the coordinates, essentially creating a chain effect.
As Crane explains it, “If you heard about our Web site and went to sign up directly, and you found a balloon, you would get $2,000, and $2,000 would go to charity. If instead you signed up and then you told your friends (using social networking), and one of your friends found a balloon, that person would still get $2,000 because they found the balloon. And you, because you signed someone up who found the balloon, would also be rewarded with $1,000, and then $1,000 would go to charity.
“We think this recursive incentive allowed people to feel as though they were a part of a team helping to solve this proverbial needle in the haystack challenge. And they could participate in a meaningful way, even if they really had no chance of finding a balloon themselves. We had a lot of feedback of "We won." And people really felt they were a part of the team because of this.”
Clever, eh? It worked beautifully. What are the lessons learned for associations?
Numbers count. That's not a new concept for associations, particularly in the area of political advocacy. One of the interesting projects in the “Game Changers” contest of the National Association of Realtors is the creation of a public membership category of home buyers and sellers. Those folks can become not only informed consumers of Realtor services, but also participants in grassroots legislative efforts.
Carefully build the infrastructure. Team MIT's success was in the organizational design. A clearly defined job description, easy participation, meaningful incentives. How many associations are trying to create new products using outdated governance structures? (One example: attempting to run a technology-based information system like an multiple listing service through a cumbersome committee structure of participants whose understanding of technology is limited at best.)
Make it easy for volunteers to contribute. In the MIT scenario, each person signing up was assigned a web site, from which he/she could recruit other participants. Too often associations erect up roadblocks for volunteers in the form of meaningless per-requisites--”You can't be chairman of the board unless you've been secretary, treasurer, and first vice-president”, we insist. “Ah,” you say, “I don't have time to be an association groupie. I have kids to raise.” On the other hand, Team MIT said,”Hey. We need your eyes to spot those balloons. And the eyes of your friends. We'll check your eyesight later.”
What's in it for me? MIT recognized that people are motivated in a variety of ways. Altruism is certainly one, and personal recognition is another. The MIT team also offered up profit sharing in the form of monetary reward for those who spotted the balloons and for those who referred the successful spotters to the contest. Lesson for associations: devise a reward system which motivates members. Clue: often motivation won't be association loyalty or a shiny plaque.
Make sure the job description includes everybody. Team MIT didn't just reward the ten folks who found the balloons, they rewarded those who recruited the successful spotters. And the rewards all fit together to produce a focused, and clearly-defined effort.
Include all possible players on your team. Finding 10 red weather balloons hidden around the US has to involve more people than MIT alumna and students: it involves everybody possible—even people located elsewhere in the world. NAR is encouraging the use of consumer participation in a real estate trade association. Look outside your membership walls for new vision.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wild Apricot Blog : 21 Free Webinars for Nonprofits - December 2009
21 Free Webinars for Nonprofits - December 2009
As might be expected so close to the year's end, fundraising topics take center stage in this round-up of free online training opportunities for associations, charities, and other not-for-profit organizations.
A bit more surprising, however, is how many free webinars are available in December — all squeezed into the first three weeks of the month!
Take a look:
How to Start an Online Campaign on Change.org | Change.org
This free webinar, on the basics of selecting, launching, and running successful online campaigns on Change.org, is aimed at NPOs just beginning to use online advocacy tools and will provide an overview of the entire lifecycle of an online campaign. (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
RegisterHow To Use the Web for Communications and Marketing | Firespring and Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations
This free webinar will help nonprofit professionals learn how to effectively communicate online and make effective use of their website. (90 minutes)
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Time: 9:30 a.m. CST
RegisterIntroduction to Strategic Online Communications and Fundraising | Upleaf
In this free webinar, Elizabeth Beachy offers an overview of online communication strategies and technologies, and proposes an integrated strategy to help nonprofits make the most of their online communities and fundraising. (60 minutes)
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
RegisterThe Procrastinators Guide to Year-End Fundraising | Nonprofit 911 : Network for Good
In this free teleconference, Alia McKee and Mark Rovner from Sea Change Strategies, Kathryn Powers of Conservation International, and moderator Eric Rardin of Care2 will discuss 11 critical action steps for mobilizing your donors and raising money.
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterBefore You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits | Foundation Center
This free webinar will provide you with a step-by-step checklist approach to help increase your organization’s readiness for foundation fundraising, geared towards community groups without nonprofit status or nonprofits new to grantseeking. (60 minutes)
Date: Friday, December 4, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
RegisterFundraising With DonorPro | DonorPro
Learn firsthand how DonorPro can help improve your constituent outreach, boost your donations, and help you operate more efficiently. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. ET
RegisterProactive Reputation Management: Using Social Media to Listen, Attract Fans and Convert Critics | Debra Askanase : Community Organizer 2.0
Do you listen for mentions of key staff and your organization’s name and programs on social media — and do you have the tools to respond if what you hear is unfavorable? This free webinar will help you understand “brand management” and how to use it to your organization’s advantage.
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. PST
RegisterCause Marketing Basics | Ventureneer
Cause marketing helps non profits raise money and increase their visibility; corporations improve their reputations and increase profits; and consumers feel like they’re making a difference. This free webinar will help you decide if cause marketing is right for your organization. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
RegisterIntroduction to Corporate Giving | Foundation Center
Free webinar offers an introduction to the world of corporate support for nonprofits and to the effective utilization of the Foundation Center’s resources on corporate giving. Prior attendance at the free Grantseeking Basics webinar is strongly recommended. (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterProposal Writing Basics | Foundation Center
In this free webinar you will learn the basics of writing a proposal for your nonprofit organization. This course is also offered in Spanish. (60 minutes)
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
RegisterProposal Budgeting Basics | Foundation Center
This webinar is geared to the novice grantseeker. Prior attendance at the free Proposal Writing Basics webinar is recommended but not a prerequisite. (60 minutes)
Date: Friday, December 11, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
RegisterKnow-How on Planning Next Year’s Event | Blackbaud
Free web seminar will discuss strategies for event set-up, design considerations, website launch strategies, training staff, and more. (60 minutes)
Date: Monday, December 14, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterWhat is Wild Apricot? | WildApricot.com
This free webinar introduces the major features of Wild Apricot software for associations, nonprofits and other member-driven organizations, including membership management and communications, web editing, event management, and fundraising features. (45 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterGrantseeking Basics | Foundation Center
This free introductory webinar provides an overview of the funding research process for those seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities. This course is also offered in Spanish. (60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterKnow-How on Converting Offline Participation to Online Participation | Blackbaud
Free webinar will cover cross-channel recruitment strategies, email collection efforts, offline data management, using online tools, and developing better online event communities.
(60 minutes)
Date: Tuesday December 15, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterBrandraising | Big Duck
This free webinar will explain the principles of brandraising and how people who work with nonprofit organizations can apply them to make their work more effective and a better use of organizational resources. (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
RegisterKnow-How on Designing an Event Email Marketing Strategy | Blackbaud
Free webinar will discuss maximizing the impact of email promotion for your event, including email timing, frequency, and design. (60 minutes)
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterFundraising With DonorPro | DonorPro
Learn firsthand how DonorPro can help improve your constituent outreach, boost your donations, and help you operate more efficiently. (60 minutes)
Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. ET
RegisterKnow-How on Analyzing Event Results | Blackbaud
Best practices for detailed analyses of event data will be discussed in this free webinar, along with how to use that data to develop your future strategies.(60 minutes)
Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterHow to Approach a Foundation | Foundation Center
This free webinar will cover strategies for effective communications with grantmakers, from initial contact to what happens after you receive funding and, ultimately, how to build lasting partnerships with grantmakers. (60 minutes)
Date: Friday, December 18, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
RegisterKnow-How on Using Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to Enhance Your Event’s Impact | Blackbaud
This free webinar will look at the Big Three “social media giants” from the perspective of event fundraisers, and how you can leverage their power to efficiently extend your reach. (60 minutes)
Date: Friday, December 18, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
RegisterIf you know of (or are hosting) a free nonprofit webinar, teleconference, or other web-based professional development event for December 2009 that didn't make this list... please feel free to share the details in the comments!
Thanks, Wild Apricot! You are, as always, a great source for association managers!
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