A NEW Year’s resolution is a tradition that a person does to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal, or to improve his or her life.
I believe association leaders and members, too, need to prepare some kind of a resolution for the year. Here are 12 resolutions for association leaders and members:
For association leaders:
Plan the year ahead. Draw up a calendar of activities—training programs, meetings, networking events, publications issuance, others—so your members can also schedule their time.
Set goals. Determine the pressing challenges you are facing—e.g., board attendance, membership dues payment, recruitment and engagement, and revenue generation—prioritize them and provide solutions.
Create fresh offerings. Members aspire for new services, be it a seminar or a publication covering new topics, a loyalty or rewards program, or anything that they need and relevant to their work.
Adopt current technologies. No matter how simple—a mobile app, an online learning session, a video presentation—will make members feel updated and appreciative that their association is embracing new tools for them to use.
Communicate more with members. A phone call, a text message, an e-mail and more important, a face-to-face meeting, help build rapport and camaraderie. A birthday or a special occasion greeting in whatever mode of delivery will go a long way with
your members.
Hear your members out. It’s always a good way to listen what members say. Conduct a service feedback survey, a training needs study, or set up an “idea box.” In the end, the members know better what they want.
For association members:
Be involved. An association is a community where same-minded individuals meet, greet, learn, share and celebrate together. It enriches your volunteerism and civic-mindedness as a social being and as a citizen.
Expand your network. Be it for work or studies, it helps to belong to a group with the same passion, cause or advocacy. You never know when you will need assistance, leads or contacts to enhance whatever
you are doing.
Learn more in your field. Associations provide unique continuing education opportunities not available elsewhere. Learning from practitioners is always a better option.
“Micro-volunteer’”your time and expertise. There is no need to leave the house to contribute to your association. You can write an article, call comembers to attend meetings and other small things.
Become an ambassador. You can say good things about the work and advocacy of your association in social media, face-to-face meetings and friendly gatherings.
Take a break. Join your association’s out-of-town conferences, boot camps or teambuilding activities, which are calming and great energy boosters.
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The contributor, Octavio “Bobby” Peralta, is concurrently the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (Adfiap), founder and CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) and president of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations (Apfao).
The purpose of PCAAE—the “association of associations”—is to advance the association management profession and to make associations well-governed and sustainable.
PCAAE enjoys the support of Adfiap, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
E-mail: obp@adfiap.org