I love the CEO to CEO articles in Association Now. Not only do I learn from the CEO’s , but they force me to consider how I would answer the questions.
In March of 2009, they ask “How Has Being CEO of Your Association changed You?”
I have learned that I can’t manage the Associations the same. While they are similar, there are significant differences. Some need a longview, some need constant maintenance.
Yes, you still have to produce financials, communicate with the board and members, file taxes, ect.
But the membership of one association will have significantly different needs than the membership of another.
I have worked for an association, (Oklahoma Public Employees Association), with 10,000 individual members and an association (United Suburban Schools Association), with 56 members. There was no question that the demands of the two would be different, just based on size.
So what have I learned? Listen to your members, ask questions about their expectations, take note, ask more questions, and listen some more. Then communicate what you expect to do, and the exceed that expectation.
AssociationOkie 
July 9, 2009 at 11:31 am |
Hi Mark!
Welcome to the world of association bloggers!
You say to ask questions listen and then ask more questions. Do you have a favorite question or two that you love to ask to pull information from members?
Cynthia
July 10, 2009 at 3:34 am |
Good question. Up front, during the interview phase, I ask what they are looking for, what do they expect? And I keep asking after we have joined together. It is a constant assessment, every meeting you have to ask if what they are expecting to happen, is happening.