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AES provides support services to not-for-profit organisations.


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Membership Renewals- Joining date or fixed date?
Published July 15, 2024

Membership Renewals- Joining date or fixed date?




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What are the real measures of a successful membership growth strategy?
Published July 15, 2024

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




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How to manage your new Association Board
Published June 27, 2024

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.




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Application Fees for New Members
Published June 27, 2024

Application Fees for New Members

Thought about an application fee for your new members?




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How to develop a robust and enthusiastic Association Board
Published June 27, 2024

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.




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Do we have a nomination for the role of Treasurer?

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Top 5 tips before you send out member renewals
Published June 25, 2024

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




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Growing your membership with a Membership Drive
Published June 25, 2024

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

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How to deal with angry members of your Association
Published June 25, 2024

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?




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What are the spending limits for an Association CEO?
Published June 25, 2024

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.




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Roles and Responsibilities of the Board
Published June 25, 2024

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.




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What is next for your Association
Published June 25, 2024

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?




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Did you get the Association CEO job?
Published June 25, 2024

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
Published June 25, 2024

Updating your Constitution

According to a recent Association Executive Services webinar with from the Australian Taxation Office, most associations or not-for-profit organisations in Australia must soon review their governing documents as part of their self-assessment process for claiming not-for-profit status.




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Unlocking the Hidden Asset - Retirees can Transform your Association
Published June 25, 2024

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

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Closing Loopholes Changes: Closing Loopholes Bill Attains Royal Assent
Published April 22, 2024

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.




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Understanding the New Not-For-Profit  Tax Changes
Published April 22, 2024

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

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What makes a great Association President?
Published April 15, 2024

What makes a great Association President?




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The Vital Role of the Association President: A Guide to Effective Leadership
Published February 27, 2024

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




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Managing Audio-Visual Costs for Your Association Conference
Published February 26, 2024

Managing Audio-Visual Costs for Your Association Conference




Key Tips For Ensuring Conference Success
Building Wisdom to Face Change
Remote Working Challenges for Industry Associations: An Analysis of a Landmark Decision

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Tips for Associations When Seeking Legal Advice
Published August 30, 2023

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

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How to Continuously Evolve to Attract and Retain Members
Published April 24, 2023

How to Continuously Evolve to Attract and Retain Members

Membership is a central concern for every association. Growing your membership base, retaining members, and ensuring your members are engaged in your association’s functions and activities should all be key parts of your strategic plan. Even associations with a large and diverse membership need to be consistently evolving and planning to offer value to their members and to ensure they stand out from the crowd. We consider the main things to focus on when thinking about your membership.




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Key Trends in Leadership for 2023
Published April 1, 2023

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.




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Key Trends for Strategic Planning in 2023
Published February 28, 2023

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.




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It’s Time to Stand Out
Published December 5, 2022

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.




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Is Your Association Ready for 2023? How to Review Your Strategic Plan
Published December 5, 2022

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.




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How to Ensure Your Association is Running at Peak Performance
Published November 6, 2022

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
The Ultimate Guide to Marketing and Communications for Associations

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The Policies and Procedures Every Association Must Have
Published August 8, 2022

The Policies and Procedures Every Association Must Have

Once you've established your association, created a constitution and elected your board members, there are several policies and procedures that should be put in place to ensure the effectiveness and wellbeing of your organisation. These policies must be carefully constructed – if you do not take the time to implement detailed procedures then your association can quickly crumble.




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The Treasurer: One of the Most Important Roles on Any Board
Published July 2, 2022

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.




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Planning Your Conference: Devising a Theme and Speaker Topics
Published May 10, 2022

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
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How to Use Key Performance Indicators in your Strategic Plan
Published March 23, 2022

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.




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Why Associations Need a Strategic Plan and the 5 Steps to Developing One
Published March 9, 2022

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

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Understanding the Diversity of Skills Needed for an Effective Board
Published February 8, 2022

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

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AES 2021 Technology in Associations Survey: Results Revealed
Published November 30, 2021

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.




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How to Make Sure Your Members Renew
Published November 25, 2021

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.




Association Events in 2022
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