I am so thankful I get to be a part of your “nexts!”

I like your “next” idea. Good.

I’ve come to believe that — if a person would like evidence of their priorities — one needs only to look at their check book and their calendar. Indeed, the names of our gods are written in the registers of our checkbooks, as well as our time logs. If we tell the truth about where we commit resources, we will have mucho material for self reflection re: the priorities which define our leadership.

Keep up the good work!

@askdebra

Love the mopping or turning off the faucet analogy. And, as difficult as it is for me, the “do what’s ‘Next’” advice is super.

As we watch and witness changes in the nonprofit world, “Next” for volunteer leaders should be an examination of the management model.

For the last 40 years, the vast majority of nonprofits have used the “self-managed” management model which including hiring staff and renting (or buying office space). A smaller number of organizations used two other models: volunteer managed or association management.

The current recession – combined with increasing costs for technology – has driven an increasing number of volunteer leaders to explore alternatives.

Just last week, I visited with an association executive who is coordinating his organizations switch from a captive staff to an association management company (AMC). The group has hit the wall. In last two years, cut staff from 16 to 8. They are now “stuck” until 2012 with rent for an office twice as large as they need. In conversation, his goal is for the AMC to retain most of his current staff. I probed about which staff should remain. He included the meeting manager saying “it’s not really full-time work but we have a complex meeting and I would hate to lose him.”

Self-Managed Option
Associations that hire their own employees are considered “stand along” or “self managed.” The Association assumes liability for its staff, their compensation, taxes, retirement and other costs. Associations with a “small” budget may have staff “generalists” who perform a variety of tasks. It may mean the executive director doubles as the human resource manager and/or the financial manager. The membership manager may also serve as the marketing manager or meeting planner. The association rents office space or purchases its own building. Ideally, the board delegates personnel and evaluations to the executive director / CEO but the board usually reserves the role of salary policy and other tactical issues related to personnel. The offices often include lobby, conference room(s), lunch room/kitchen and storage. A stand alone association leases or purchases all technology: phones, phone system, computers, servers, association management software, copier, etc.

AMC-Managed Option
Associations who select the AMC model use an AMC for its headquarters and staff. The association contracts with the AMC for specified functions. The AMC is responsible for staffing, office space, technology and other personnel-related matters. The Association uses staff specialists only when needed. The association’s staffing capacity flexes based on needs, budgets and priorities. The association has no liabilities related to personnel. In addition to sharing staff, the association benefits from other shared resources including office space and technology. And, often benefits from synergies with other associations its AMC manages.

In times of recession or growth, an AMC-managed association benefits from flexibility to adjust its staffing and staff capabilities to fit its needs and benefits from updated technology and systems through its AMC.

This White Paper shows an economic comparison of two bench marking research projects: one for stand-alone associations and one for AMC-managed associations. Worth the read if your “Next” is to evaluate your management model. http://bit.ly/29G4Ih

If you are an association volunteer, your “Next” task may be to examine your management options to ensure you are benefitting from the association model that best fits your organization and its needs now and in the future.

Disclosure: I own an accredited Association Management Company (www.drakeco.com) and am currently the president of the AMC Institute, our industry’s trade association.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by Hoots and Thomas: @VASolutionsNOW Check out this post. Glimpse into why we have been loving our talks with you. http://bit.ly/2ydCO5...