AS we usher in the New Year, it’s but fitting to salute all associations, their leaders, members, and volunteers, for being resolute, resilient and re-imaginative during this pandemic. Having attended hundreds of virtual association meetings, forums, and conferences these past two years, I have come to a conclusion that associations everywhere have adapted and survived this global crisis.
And so as a tribute to the association community worldwide, I wish to offer a special badge for all association leaders out there that they are indeed VIPs: not “very important persons,” but having the following attributes:
Valiant (determined, strong, heroic): Association leaders have shown determination in fulfilling their purpose despite the challenges. This they do by continuing to keep their members informed and looked after; helping them in their professional or industry needs through online training courses, timely research and surveys; and providing them collaboration opportunities. They have shown strength and heroism by mobilizing members to participate, among others, in rescue, relief and rehabilitation programs during the pandemic.
Indefatigable (tireless, persistent, enthusiastic): At the onset of the pandemic, association leaders, working from home, at times 24/7, have provided members with updated and reliable information on Covid-19 through calls, e-mails, text messages, and via their websites. They made sure they are “in the trenches” with their members and persistently identifying ways and means to deliver services to members, empathy to their staff and volunteers, and balancing their family life at the same time. Despite being under this difficult environment, they have been enthusiastic “to do more with less.”
People person (relatable, approachable, friendly): One distinct character of an association leader that stood out during the pandemic was about being both human and humane. After all, those working with associations are relationship builders and have extraordinary listening skills and the ability to express oneself and to establish connections. The association community is of the people, by the people, and for the people. While meetings and other activities of associations have been done virtually in most cases, the human touch and connection have, to a larger extent, been felt and appreciated.
Selfless (charitable, compassionate, magnanimous): A crisis, they say, brings out the best of humanity and the association community is no exception, exhibiting selflessness and dedication with “heads held up high.” Associations in various professions and industries have been in the forefront in providing care, energy, and time, even in life-threatening circumstances, during this pandemic.
In my column here four years ago (January 24, 2018), entitled “Why Associations Matter,” I wrote about what the late ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV said during our interview with him in the 2017 issue of the PCAAE’s Association World magazine: “Associations put their resources to work in solving many of the world’s pressing problems (like calamities)… they were in the front lines of relief efforts, organizing and deploying professionals from their field to assist in the affected communities, or raising funds to meet immediate and long-term recovery needs.”
John added: “The future of associations is very bright…no matter what the world looks like in the future, people will have common interests and challenges to meet.”
How true John was as if he had predicted the challenges association leaders are now presented during this pandemic. So kudos and all the best to all association leaders out there!
Octavio Peralta is the founder and CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” E-mail: obp@adfiap.org