We're working on our bylaws. Some of you may think that is the equivalent of watching paint dry, but I beg to differ. It's been just over a year since the Board of Directors committed to working through MSAE's governing documents to set the association up for success. In that time, the Board has engaged in really thoughtful exploration and dialogue around what a vibrant and relevant MSAE looks like and, equally important, what governance structures need to be in place to support it.  

Central to that exploration has been asking ourselves some critical questions...

Membership. It matters, right? Lobbying, professional development, networking, discount programs...the list of association services is endless! But no matter what else we do in associations, the work always comes back to membership - understanding the membership, growing membership, serving the membership.  

It was the concern most often identified by CEOs in our member survey. Given this environment of radical change, massive shifts in the industry, and changing member demographics, it only makes sense that CEOs give careful consideration to ensuring their associations remain relevant. So what is the state of membership? How are associations faring? 

Over the years, I have found William Bridges' work in the area of change and transition useful because it helps me think about change in terms of the people it affects. According to Bridges, things change, but people have to transition. For change to be successful, we must tend to the transition. 

It's no great secret that MSAE is in a period of change. We're reviewing every program, product, and service and weighing them against the actual value they create for members. These efforts, as well as last summer's focus groups and the survey that we sent out this week, are the prelude to a strategic planning session scheduled later this month. We are resolute in our commitment to reinventing the association. Cue change...and transition. 

MSAE's Board of Directors took decisive action this week in support of the restoration of funding for the Pure Michigan campaign. MSAE is proud to stand by many of our organizational and allied members urging state leaders to get Pure Michigan back on track before too much momentum is lost. Michigan's tourism lobby has done fantastic work in getting the message out about Pure Michigan's significance to the state's economy. If supporting this effort makes sense for your organization, they would certainly welcome additional voices to the cause...

April showers bring May flowers – welcome to spring!

American Associations Day, the Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT), and a look ahead at the potential future of your association’s membership data as U.S. “big tech” reignites debate of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in MSAE’s advocacy round-up through Friday, April 5^th.

Welcome to March! A repeal was introduced to combat Unrelated Business Income Tax, minimum wage advocates reignite 2018 Lame Duck debate, and Governor Whitmer released her 2019 budget recommendation.

Advocacy Corner: Week of March 1, 2019

Updates to the national Unrelated Business Income Tax, another round of Michigan auto insurance reform, state redistricting, and more in MSAE’s advocacy round-up through Friday, March 1^st.