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What is your superpower?
Mariner Management
DECEMBER 30, 2020
So here we are, heading into a new year (and decade!) with a mixture of optimism and trepidation ( yes, I put optimism first ??). So many questions: What does 2021 hold for us?
Mariner Management
Will Chapters Be Relevant in 2021?
Mariner Management
DECEMBER 10, 2020
For many of us working in component (chapter) relations, there are days when our answer is a resounding yes, and others where it’s more of a whispered maybe. The fact is that the role of components (e.g.,
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Trying on the coaching hat
Mariner Management
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
What does it mean to coach your volunteers? Let’s state the obvious first: Change is more rapid and more disruptive than ever and our past solutions do not offer a path forward. To find that path, we need to strive to create a learning organization.
We talked chapters at CEX
Mariner Management
DECEMBER 2, 2020
CEX 2020 may be over but the lessons learned are only now being absorbed. It was a whirlwind of sessions, games (trivia, bingo and a wild scavenger hunt), and networking all in a virtual setting. Missed it or need a reminder? Here’s the list of recaps.
The Pro’s Guide To Getting The Best ROI From Your New LMS
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You need a Learning Management System when your courses and training programs need to be accessible online. Quickly build the perfect business case and easily determine which LMS will provide the best return on investment you need with this how-to eBook!
See a Chapter Bright Spot? Propagate It!
Mariner Management
NOVEMBER 28, 2020
The perennial favorite event of chapters, golf tournaments, needed a make-over in 2020. Interestingly in many states, including Mariner’s home state Maryland, golf courses were able to re-open in the first phase with some restrictions , albeit critical ones for golf tournaments.
Have a coachlike conversations with your volunteers
Mariner Management
NOVEMBER 25, 2020
So now that we’ve learned how to approach difficult conversations as opportunities rather than obstacles to avoid, how can we take those lessons further and apply them to conversations with our most precious resource … our volunteers?
A Bright Spot in Chapters
Mariner Management
NOVEMBER 23, 2020
Your association and chapters probably face the same challenge the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) wrestles with: filling the industry and association leadership pipeline. Their New England chapter meanwhile was acting.
Hard conversations aren’t about finding perfection
Mariner Management
NOVEMBER 18, 2020
Would you agree the world is in a state of turmoil and just shifting through the cacophony of noise and emotions can be daunting? Throw in the prospect of needing to have that difficult conversation with a volunteer, staff member, colleague etc.,
Saying Thanks to Volunteers
Mariner Management
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
It ’ s November – the month of thanks! And right around the corner is April’s National Volunteer Week (4/18/21). In reality , we don’t need a month or designated week to say thanks to our volunteers. We should be showing our appreciation all year long. .
eLearning demand is at an all-time high. Pick the right LMS!
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The need for online learning is greater than ever having the right LMS is absolutely crucial. Quickly, easily, and cost-effectively decide which Learning Management System is right for you with this 12-step guide from LMS implementation experts.
Chapter Training: Available at the moment of need
Mariner Management
OCTOBER 26, 2020
What makes an effective volunteer and chapter leadership development program ? One that offers multi-channel, asynchronous, and live delivery of virtual and face-to-face training programs and resources. Or in a simple rule to follow: available at the moment of need. .
Shifting from Deadline Driven to Guideline Driven
Mariner Management
OCTOBER 23, 2020
How many deadlines do your component leaders miss? How many times do you get a request for the same document or a checklist from multiple (or repeat) volunteers? How’s your “trust meter” with your component volunteers?
Empowering Chapters Through Self-Assessments
Mariner Management
OCTOBER 23, 2020
Low-performing chapters are a drag on the system and can fuel member dissatisfaction. Associations often respond with checklists and annual chapter reports, but the results rarely generate improved performance.
Prepping for 2021 and beyond: Lessons Learned
Mariner Management
OCTOBER 22, 2020
It’s been a month since our last virtual i dea swap “ Prepping for 2021 ” held on September 23 and we’re just getting around to posting the recap?
Build or Buy an LMS? How to Pick the Right Solution for Your Budget
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BUDGET. When it comes to picking your next LMS that six-letter word is probably the most important part of the decision-making process. So, what are your options to get the best possible eLearning solution without breaking the bank? Build it or buy it. This guide from Lambda’s eLearning experts details absolutely everything you need to consider so you can pick the perfect eLearning solution for your organization and budget.
Prepping for 2021 and beyond: How can we act?
Mariner Management
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Tip: Create the feeling of “we’re all in this together.” Collaboration is something we want to continue to tap into in 2021. In our last post recapping our September 23rd Idea Swap, we talked about six lessons we’ve learned over the past year.
It’s about good old communications
Mariner Management
OCTOBER 16, 2020
Ok, CRPs … how’s your year going? Here at Mariner, we’ve seen the impact the pandemic and nation-wide protests have had on the associations we work with and sometimes, it isn’t pretty.
Looking ahead. What’s next for association components?
Mariner Management
AUGUST 24, 2020
We’re halfway through this unusual and, often unsettling, year where we’ve had to regroup and rethink how we do things.
What exactly does a CRP do?
Mariner Management
SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
On a flight a while back, CRP Tanya Coogan was sharing the usual pleasantries with a fellow passenger when the conversation turned to their respective occupations.
Need Remote Learning ASAP? Don’t Pick Your Next LMS Before Reading This!
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Keep Sponsors by your Chapter’s Side: 16 ideas
Mariner Management
AUGUST 31, 2020
We know this question of how to keep on sponsors engaged is a top of mind worry for chapters. We’ve been collecting ideas from a variety of sources; here are some.
What one chapter is doing to steer towards DE&I
Mariner Management
JULY 1, 2020
Today’s headlines surrounding racial injustices are affecting all of us on personal and professional levels. From our vantage point here at Mariner, it is uplifting to see so many professional associations/chapters responding with renewed commitments towards making diversity , equity, and inclusion a pillar of their mission. We are particularly moved by the conversations and actions of PRSA Maryland.
Ban the Boring Virtual Meeting
Mariner Management
MARCH 23, 2020
Most predictions put the use of, and the reliance on, digital meetings and work as rapidly increasing. The good news is that the skills we are madly improving in this time of physical-distancing will be useful long after the virus’ hold on us has ended. One set of skills I know we’ll be using are those needed for creating effective virtual meetings and work. Let’s jump start those skills with a few resources. Adding Engagement. Bye, Boring Trainings!
COVID-19 Reboot for Chapters
Mariner Management
JUNE 24, 2020
Will chapters survive? This is a question we’ve heard on every virtual idea swap we’ve hosted since the pandemic. Here’s what’s at stake. The dramatic shift to virtual throughout the association community has resulted in a significant blurring of the geographical boundaries that used to delineate chapters. This shift has brought into question the relevance of those chapters where there is no substantive distinction between the needs of members in one area versus another.
Need Remote Learning NOW? Get Online Quickly & Easily With This Can’t-Miss Guide
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Remote learning is becoming more important than ever. Whether you’re scrambling to get your eLearning launched, or need to upgrade to meet increased demand, this guide will eliminate the guesswork so you can find your perfect LMS!
Setting Chapters Up for Change
Mariner Management
JANUARY 9, 2020
For many the new year brings new resolutions most of which are about change. While we focus on the need to change, we sometimes skip over setting ourselves up for change. This can be doubly so when we look at change in our associations and in our chapters. This is perhaps why Gene Hammett’s blog post caught my eye. In his post, he promised change could come without making new year resolutions. Instead, its about setting ourselves up for change. He curated the lessons from five leaders.
COVID-19 & Your Chapters/Components: The Next Steps [FREE Virtual Idea Swap]
Mariner Management
APRIL 7, 2020
It’s safe to say that our support for components (chapters etal) took on a different look this past month. We had to scramble to re-orient messaging and timetables, shift resources, add resources, add time to support chapters shifting to virtual, and maybe cancel volunteer leader training. So … How do we re-orient our support and training for the rest of 2020? What do we need to think about as long-term shifts? What other short-term shifts need to be adopted?
Be your chapters’ superhero
Mariner Management
MARCH 25, 2020
Yes, lots of national associations are acting to help members in this pandemic. And that’s great. Let’s not overlook though the need to to find help in my hometown. Its reaching across the street or county to get the extra help or the virtual hug. And, with so much of the effort to fight the pandemic is in the hands of the state – our ability to have the local voice for political advocacy is tripled!
Helping Chapters be COVID-Proof
Mariner Management
MARCH 21, 2020
Chapters are vulnerable in the chaotic global health crisis, however that does not have to mean they will flounder or fail. We do have to intervene though on their part. Answering the how led us to host a virtual idea swap for association pros responsible for navigating this question. The swap brought together more than 70 association execs to explore how associations can support chapters. View the full Idea Swap here and use this summary to help kickstart your own internal conversations.
Webinar Survey 2021 Association Universe
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Can you believe we are in 2021? 2020 was a challenging year for association executives & management professionals. Here at Association Universe, we have worked tirelessly to provide guidance and a sense of community for our viewers. Association Universe’s many thought-leaders eased the physical distance between us by sharing their wisdom and empathy. Our goal is that through our webinars, we helped make 2020 as rewarding as it was challenging. We would love for you to share your experience about how webinars have affected your learning, and also your thoughts on how to make it better. The total time to complete the survey is 3-5 minutes. To view the survey, click the “View Now” button below:
Driving Member Engagement by Showing #VolunteerLove
Mariner Management
APRIL 2, 2020
Mark your calendars: National Volunteer Week is April 19-25th! It’s the perfect opportunity to start thinking about ways to show your chapter volunteers the appreciation they deserve all year-round. Volunteering is one of the stickiest forms of member engagement, and happy volunteers can keep your association chapters on track for years to come.
COVID-19 & Your Chapters/Components: Virtual Idea Swap
Mariner Management
MARCH 16, 2020
Here at Mariner we are home to three chapter organizations. All rely on revenue from in-person events. Yikes! We know we’re not alone. Because of our work with dozens of associations, we’re on many chapter leader discussion groups and a few Facebook groups — and there’s lot of angst. Chapter and components leaders are reaching out to their headquarters contact. How can you help us?
10 Reasons to Attend CEX
Mariner Management
SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
CEX isn’t your typical association conference. And it isn’t for everyone. It’s a one-day deep dive into all things “geographic components.” It’s for association exec who have or are thinking of building geographic components. The deep dive isn’t a series of break-out sessions with sages on the stage. It’s about conversations and problem-solving. From the mouths of last year’s attendees, here’s why CEX is special.
Virtual Idea Swap: Chapters in the COVID-19 Era
Mariner Management
MAY 6, 2020
Join us for the third virtual idea swap on Friday May 22 1pm ET (we’ll jump-start the holiday weekend with a CRP Party). Once again, we’ll use Zoom breakout rooms for deeper conversation and sharing. Register here: May 22 Virtual Idea Swap: COVID-19 & Chapters. Help pick the topic or vote on one at [link]. See the recap on April Swap. See the recap on March Swap. Questions? Ask us info@marinermanagement.com.
AMC-Managed Organizations are More Stable than Standalone Organizations
Why do organizations managed by Association Management Companies outperform standalone organizations? This paper seeks to answer that question through the results of a study examining the rates of change in the length of chief staff executive tenure and changes in office locations of membership-based organizations between 2009 and 2015.
How can we guide our chapters in the DE&I conversation (Idea Swap recap)
Mariner Management
JULY 15, 2020
Photo by William Bout on Unsplash. On June 29 th , we gathered for a virtual chat on how associations can help guide and support their chapters in the conversation around DEI. During the swap, participants discussed that while chapters are on the front line, many are confused about how best to proceed. As some chapters have taken the initiative on their own, others are waiting for HQ to take a lead. So what are some of the steps associations can take?
Rethinking Membership Benefits >> Become Indispensable for These Times
Mariner Management
JULY 14, 2020
We’re all bracing for membership drops (ok here at Mariner we’re home to three associations worriedly watching the renewal numbers). Let’s take the worry and put it to work productively. And here are three actionable ways from MemberSuite’s post “Rethink Membership Benefits to Make Your Association Indispensable.”
What’s Ahead for Chapters – 2 Virtual Events Explore
Mariner Management
JULY 12, 2020
Midsummer and the fall looks no clearer than it did in Spring. What’s ahead for chapters ? In many ways, we may be looking at a renaissance of sorts. Or the end of the road. Perhaps geographic components will fill in a vital role as in-person events get back into gear. Or maybe with blurring of geographic boundaries, chapters fade. Most likely, both scenarios will come true. We’ll look at both sides in two virtual events – both free.
Education of the Future: COVID-19 Reboot
Mariner Management
JULY 9, 2020
“…policies designed ‘to preserve all pre-COVID jobs and employment relationships could prove quite costly’ because they ‘are analogous to policies that prop up dying industries and failing firms.’”. Covid-19 Is Also a Reallocation Shock (Becker Friedman Institute Report referenced by George Will – Washington Post – 5/27/20 ).
Smart Tactics to Keep Members and Sponsors Engaged During Challenging Times
With conferences being canceled due to COVID-19, associations need to be nimble by implementing alternative strategies and tactics that can continue to bring value to their members, keep sponsors/exhibitors, generate revenues for the Association.
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