In the past couple of years, thought leaders at AMC have written broadly on a number of resources for associations and the professionals who work with them. As we near and prepare for 2019, let’s take a look back on our 10 most popular posts and tips:

Number Ten: Call me a Grant Writer

What’s in a name?

The general idea of “grant writers” is that they shut themselves into their offices to grind out grant proposal after grant proposal. However, effective grant proposals are created when the grant writers (technically named grant professionals, mind you) are engaged with their team members during the entire duration of the project. That way, they can discuss exactly what information may go into the proposal, among other essential conversations.

Number Nine: 10 Ways to Prepare for the Unexpected at Your Onsite Meeting

How to be a disaster master

According to Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Luckily for meetings managers and events coordinators, we compiled a list of ten ways to avoid and recover from any potential disasters, from identifying risks to documenting incident results.

Number Eight: Building for the Future like New Orleans

A big tip from the Big Easy

Your association may not have planned the New Orleans Tricentennial (and if you did, kudos to you), but you can learn a lot about event management from observing how the convention centers and visitors bureaus in this timeless and highly-visited city prepare for local and out-of-town guests.

Number Seven: 5 Questions You Should Be Asking in Board Exit Interviews

The proper send-off

Farewell and fare well

Whether by a natural end of term or being an outvoted incumbent, Board members will eventually leave their posts – and the results may vary. Here are the important questions you want to ask them to help Board members transition out, gain insight into the association, and reassess leadership initiatives for the future.

Number Six: How Did I Get Here? Navigating a Career in the Association World

Now that I’m here, what do I do?

People don’t generally go into the not-for-profit association world on purpose, so it’s important to make sure that you are doing your work well here. These timeless tips are for both and experienced professionals in the industry.

Number Five: Critical Conversations: How to Generate Generative Discussions

Generating generative discussions

Try saying that five times fast. More importantly, try introducing more generative discussions to Board meetings. Generative conversations garner more insight and focus on the topics at hand and can be more productive than planning immediate action.

Number Four: 5 Tips for Operationalizing Your Strategic Plan

Planning for a plan

If you already have a plan for completing new projects, why do you need a plan for your plan? A plan is never as easy as rolling up your sleeves and simply executingthe project. It involves a higher level of strategy and making sure that, halfway through your project, you don’t have to retrace your steps and plan again.

Number Three: Three Ideas for Effectively Thanking Members and Volunteers

Saying thank you (and meaning it)

It’s not just table manners, it is true etiquette that speaks to your sense of compassion and professional demeanor. After all, if you work for an association, then you work to improve peoples’ lives (or at least make their lives easier). That goes for showing genuine appreciation for your members and volunteers, too.

Number Two: 15 Reflections form the Process of Earning the CAE

Earning your alphabet soup

Obtaining your Certified Association Executive could be the best step to becoming a more effective association leader. Bruce Hammond, CAE breaks down the process of earning the title into smaller digestible steps, from earning the credits themselves to post-exam decompression.

Number One: Strategic Planning: Moltke the Elder, Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, and Just a Little Mike Tyson

Planning like a military strategist (and a prize-fighter)

What do these 4 men have in common? They deal with strategy in the midst of hard blows. Read how these rightfully famous tacticians emphasize that it’s not about having the plan go well, it’s about planning for anything to happen.

While we have many resources on our blog, we hope that these favorite pieces of insight will help you and your association in 2019 and beyond.

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