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Many associations rely on the profit and loss statement presented at board meetings to assess their financial health. But strong leadership means looking beyond the bottom line. Are your financial results aligned with your strategic plan? Are you actively reinvesting in your operations and your members?
It's an exciting time to explore how we can grow wiser and stronger, opening up new possibilities for our association.
For most membership-based associations, the primary revenue stream is membership subscriptions (also known as membership dues in the USA). However, high-performing associations take it a step further by offering services that members need and are willing to pay for.
Think:
Case in Point: One AES client launched a Benchmarking Program for small businesses. By forming peer groups of non-competing members, they created a space for sharing marketing strategies, tech tools, and industry insights. This not only generated revenue, but it also set new benchmarks for knowledge sharing in their sector.
Rising costs? Remember, collaboration could be your secret weapon, empowering you to overcome financial challenges.
AES recently worked with two associations in the same sector that were running separate annual conferences. By joining forces and co-hosting a single event, they:
Many sponsors found greater value in supporting one larger, high-impact event—and new exhibitors came on board whose budgets previously couldn't stretch to attend two.
The association sector is in the middle of a leadership handover.
Across Australia and New Zealand, CEOs and Executive Directors are moving on. Some are retiring. Some have gone to larger organisations.
Some have left because the relationship with their Board ran out of puff. The reasons vary, but the movement is noticeable, and Boards are
appointing replacements.
The encouraging part is the calibre of the people coming in. Many are genuinely well suited to the job — capable executives with strong
records behind them. A good number are stepping into an association CEO role for the first time.
Most associations can provide a long list of membership benefits. They may include professional development, advocacy, networking, industry information, events, resources, accreditation, discounts and access to specialist advice. However, a list of benefits does not necessarily explain why someone makes the decision to join.
While every Board is different, the same governance issues appear time and again. One of the most common is allowing one person’s behaviour
to dominate the Board table.
Almost every Board has experienced it at some point. One director who seems to consume more time and energy than everyone else combined.
How we help membership based, not-for-profit associations now and into the future.
