Cover Slide Notes • The staff orientation PowerPoint was created originally by Dave Nielsen, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland. • Adaptations by Bob Harris, CEO, NonProfitCenter.com • Provided as a model for developing association or chamber staff orientation.
Staff OrientationWorking for an Association!
Orientation will help you… • Understand the nature of associations: how they function similarly and differently from for-profit companies • Know why the association exists • Learn how to work effectively in an association environment • Be prepared for the association-staff culture and expectations • Be aware of the resources, training and education to help you grow
What makes an Association Environment unique? • “Non-profit” somewhat of a misnomer – what it really means • “Member-owned” • Direction and budget set by Board • Shared nature of decision making • Involvement of volunteers/members • Shared passion for industry-profession
How is an Association environment similar? • Staff environment • Customers – but who are they? • Budget driven (but challenges because…) • Internal management • Strategic planning
What Do We Do Here? • Protect, promote and advance the Association’s mission and goals • Serve our primary audience - the members. • Service the secondary audiences - the community and the customers • Promote value and social responsibility
How Do We Get It Done? • Government & Political Affairs: regulatory efforts, political relations, issue positions, legislative efforts, advocacy • Events: Annual meeting, trade show, regional education, convention, local meetings • Membership Services: Networking events, education, councils, recruitment, member retention.
How Do We Get It Done? • Finance & Admin: Front Desk/Customer Service support, Operations Backbone • PR & Communications: Internal member communications, external marketing and publicity, charitable efforts • Executive: Leadership development, strategic planning, leadership organization, staff functions, facility resources
Roles of Boards & Committees • Board • Sets overall vision/direction/goals • Approves major policies • Approves budget and ensures adequate resources • Responsible for overall financial health of assn • Represents industry and helps engage it • Monitors performance of assn
Roles of Boards & Committees • Committees (three types/roles) • Standing: support major programs/function areas in conjunction w/ staff (e.g. Membership, Finance) • Event: provide event direction/support, including sponsor engagement and onsite help • Steering: help set policy/direction and monitor performance of major sub-areas within assn
Roles of Staff & Management • Staff Roles/Functions • Implement Board policies, especially in relation to annual goals and objectives • Handle day-to-day operations • Provide guidance to Board/Committees on policy and direction • Help ensure continuity and appropriateness in work done by Board/Committees
Roles of Staff & Management • CEO/Management Team Roles/Functions • CEO… • Is the only employee hired by the Board and who reports to the Board • Ultimately is responsible for all staffing and operations decisions • Works with the Board, Executive Committee and Officers to ensure adequate resources and support are in place • Management Team… • Helps oversee operations • Provides leadership to create an effective working staff environment
The Acronym Game • Organizations: • Events: • Industry:
Specific Training Areas • MEMBERSHIP (separate presentation) • COMMUNICATIONS (separate presentation) • COMMITTEES (separate presentation)
Challenge Scenario #1 • Members calling with specific requests that may not be direction set by association, may be a problem they created, or may be unrelated to our work • Wants support for charity cause • Wants help solving issue (but may be at fault) • Has problem with another member
Challenge Scenario #2 • Committee or subcommittee wants action or makes decision that may be wrong, inconsistent with Board directive, or might cause problems • Changing date of an event • Setting an event policy • Support for candidate or legislative issue • Budget expenditure
Staff Commitments • Good Communication • Keep people in loop where appropriate • General: sponsors; members; general ideas • Job related: one-on-one; staff meetings; dept meetings • Front Desk: schedule; meetings; catering; incoming call areas • Mutual Respect • Deadlines, especially those that impact others ability to do their jobs • Communications; financial; reports • Resolve differences/challenges professionally • One-on-one; dept mgr; Fin/Admin Dir.; CEO • Focus on what I can do to excel – not others jobs
Staff Commitments (cont.) • Trust • Follow through on commitments made to others • Support decision-making • Teamwork • Help in others areas when needs arise • Service & Attitude
Ways We Supports You • To assist you in developing member connections that will help you in your job – staff are welcome at member events and should use them to develop relationships, recruit volunteers and gain other support • To help you learn more about the housing industry – we hold periodic “field trips” to member companies • To develop a good staff working environment – periodic staff events, event help, cross-training, etc. • To continue your professional growth – publications, credentialing, business mgmt, career networking, assn training • To keep you – compensation, insurance benefits, 401k, time off, bonuses, employee services
Final Thoughts… • Where is association and the industry or profession headed? (Environmental scan discussion.) • What we do now may not be what we do 5 years from now, so always think, ask, propose. • Questions?
