Written by: Bob Harris, CAE Reviewed by: William D. Pawlucy, CAE, MPA, IOM The new board guide for the summer and remainder of 2020 is titled Leadership, Governance, and Pandemic Recovery. It is 40-pages, free, offering guidance and hope for economic rebound with innovative ideas on how to reimagine the board room. To address the…
Volunteering is a part of America’s culture. People step forward to help advance a cause or community. There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit, exempt organizations in the US. Each has a board of directors and committee structure composed of volunteers. While every person intends to add value, there are some behaviors that should…
By Bob Harris, CAE and Dot Miller, CAE We are hopeful there will be no second wave of the coronavirus, or that mitigation will reduce its impact. Health officials have predicted a return in the fall and through the winter. Associations must prepare. Are we taking advantage of what we have learned in the…
By Bob Harris, CAE Association planning retreats are convened every few years. They represent a significant investment in people’s time and meeting costs. Attendees are asked to create a 3 to 5-year roadmap. The results should best position the organization and communicate value to members. During the process, volunteers and staff will take deep dives…
By Bob Harris, CAE An association relies on its board to govern. It sets the vision and advances the mission to best position the organization and serve its members. Through the pandemic, some directors may have reasons they can no longer volunteer. Concerns about jobs, business survival, health and family come first. It is…
Bob Harris, CAE and Leonard Toenjes, CAE There is a saying, “Put your money where your mouth is.” It means if you have an idea or plan, it should be supported by resources. Without aligning resources any plan is unlikely to succeed. In associations, resources include time, finances, committees, leaders, and staff. Roadmap A strategic…
By Bob Harris, CAE The pandemic has brought new challenges for boards of directors. Some have become paralyzed, wondering how to respond. The best have rallied the leadership team, made a plan, and increased member engagement and value. This special guide focuses on governance principles and pandemic recovery. (OK to save, copy, adapt and circulate;…
By Bob Harris, CAE and Arturo Mariani, Author There are hundreds of stories about organizational and personal improvement during the pandemic. People are sharing ways they are adapting. Organizational Improvement Many of the changes have positive, long term impact. The adaptations are necessary or organic to survive, sustain, and thrive. For example, what used to…
By Bob Harris, CAE For more than a month, executives have been in crisis mode. They respond to urgent calls from members, media and government while trying to manage and govern an association. One executive said it feels like our house has been on fire. Now it’s time to put out the fire. Spring and…
By Bob Harris, CAE An association or chamber is a group of persons working together to advance a cause or mission. Nonprofit organizations have served the USA for more than 150 years. With 1.5 million nonprofit, exempt organizations, the common traits are a 1) mission statement and 2) a volunteer board of directors. Good governance…
