Association Governance & Structure
(CAE Preparation Domain 5)
Associations have unique structures and relationships with volunteers. Learn more about governance, motivation of volunteers and staff, and the overall role of associations. In addition, the session will explore types of associations, member types, the nature and purposes of association documents, legal and philosophical aspects of nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, governance structures, along with maximizing the relationship between volunteers and staff and parent/chapter relations.
Strategic Planning & Legal Issues
(CAE Preparation Domain 1)
Strategic planning and continuous strategic thinking combined with business planning are essential parts of successful association management. This session will cover research for planning, trends forecasting and statistical reporting to members. It also includes the legal aspects each association manager must know such as ethics, antitrust and the new Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.
Budget & Finance
(CAE Preparation Domain 1)
Managing the association’s finances is an important task. This session addresses this essential responsibility and provides a better understanding of how program budgets affect the overall financial health of an organization. The topics covered include budgeting, general association accounting procedures, internal financial controls, dues structures, financial analysis, and investments.
Fund Raising
(CAE Preparation Domain 8)
For many associations and foundations, fund raising is a vital function that provides a significant source of income. Successful use of fund raising techniques will expand the resources available to achieve the mission. This session will cover an overview of sponsorships, grants, fund raising methods, fund raising cycles and legal issues affecting fund raising efforts.
Legislation & Government Relations
(CAE Preparation Domain 5)
Every trade or profession has policy interests it would like to advance, preserve, or protect, thus for many associations, representation on public policy issues is a primary motive for members to join an association. This session will provide valuable insight into advocacy best practices and lobbying regulations. Topics to be covered include issue management, political action committees, grass-roots efforts, and rules on influencing legislation.
Public Relations & Communications
(CAE Preparation Domain 9)
Public relations facilitates communication between an organization and the groups it wants to influence and helps managers establish, regulate and maintain satisfactory relationships between and among various groups. Association publications are an important part of communication with members, media, government, and the public-at-large. The role of public relations in associations will be discussed as well as publication operations, communications strategies and special legal considerations.
Adult Learning
(CAE Preparation Domain 8)
Education is a key component for most associations. An association has the opportunity to increase the effectiveness and value of their education programs by developing programs that ensure successful learning. This session will discuss the role of associations in education, determining education and training needs, credentialing programs, the characteristics of adult learners, the learning environment and the application of learning styles to optimize learning outcomes.
Marketing
(CAE Preparation Domain 9)
An essential part of the association’s operating plan, scope of work and program management is successful marketing. How do you get your message through? Frequently misunderstood or confused with selling, marketing is an important part of almost every association activity. This topic will address strategic marketing, market segmentation, target marketing, marketing management and using technology to enhance marketing efforts.
Membership Development & Retention
(CAE Preparation Domain 7)
Members are at the core of any association, and membership dues often represent the primary source of revenue. Member development and recruitment activities are frequently the member’s first point of contact with the association. Effective recruitment and retention are critical and should be integrated into the overall decision-making process so that every action is considered for its membership consequences. This session will cover membership marketing, recruitment and retention, along with membership classes, structures and restrictions.
Meetings & Conventions
(CAE Preparation Domain 8)
Meetings and conventions play a key role in an association’s mission. The successful staging of quality meetings and the technical, business, and legal aspects of convention management are the ultimate responsibility of the complete professional association manager. Legal considerations and meeting planning functions such as site selection, negotiations, meeting management, program development, promotion and marketing will be covered.
Nondues Revenue
(CAE Preparation Domain 8)
As associations look to increase membership value they offer services that save members money or provide ease of access to benefits. Associations are uniquely positioned to create and maintain these programs due to the collective buying power they represent and the unique business niche they serve. This session will cover UBIT, royalties, promotion, selection and legal protection for affinity programs.