Ethics and Event Locations

By Dave Bergeson and Stephanie Dylkiewicz

Selecting the ideal location for your conference or event can be difficult, but in recent years social justice, equality, and political issues have emerged that have made the decision even more challenging.

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Top 25 Blog Posts by Women Thought Leaders at AMC

By AMC

Little did we think when we started our blog in 2015 that 8 years later we’d have published more than 242 posts written by thought leaders from nearly every corner of AMC. If you’ve been following our blog for a while, one thing you may have noticed is that the majority of our thought leader contributors are women.

This year—in honor of Women’s History Month—we’ve compiled a list of the 25 blog posts by women thought leaders that resonated the most. If you’re looking for insights on association management; conferences and events; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); governance; marketing and membership; and professional development, check out these posts.

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Past Presidents: Friends, Foes, or Both?

By Mark Engle and Dave Bergeson

 “We have had great experiences with our past presidents. The expectations of what happens after service on the board is well understood and most past presidents don't get involved or try to influence after they have served.” — CEO of a large professional society

“I just don’t understand it. I would expect that of all people, our past presidents, who worked so hard, and gave so much, would be invested and supportive of moving the association forward. Instead, they are being obstructive, feel entitled, and are a source of constant headaches.” — CEO of a large professional society

These are actual quotes from real association executives, speaking on their very different experiences with the past presidents* of their association or society.

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Does Your Governance Structure Support Your Values?

By Erin Volland

An association has been in the news in recent weeks, and not in the way that an association (or any organization) wants to be in the news. This association is an example of when bylaws, policies, procedures, traditions, and culture are not thoughtfully aligned.

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Welcome, Cord Blood Association

By AMC

We’re pleased to announce that AMC has been selected as the new management partner for the Cord Blood Association (CBA). We began providing management services to CBA on January 1, 2023.

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In Memoriam: Art Engle

By AMC

It is with deep sadness we share that Association Management Center (AMC) co-founder and first President, Art Engle, passed away on November 19, 2022.

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Governance Change: Run It Like a Communications and Political Campaign

By Erin Volland

Association governance change is fraught with the wall of membership or House of Delegates (HOD) approval. A task force spends months working on a strategic governance issue, researching solutions, gathering data, and reviewing leading practices before presenting their recommendations to the board.  After a healthy discussion, the board approves the recommendations. In some cases, the board can then amend the bylaws and staff are then able to implement the change in their procedures.

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Zinat Ali and Katherine Ast to Co-Lead DEI Advisory Group

By AMC

We’re excited to announce that Zinat Ali and Katherine Ast have been named as co-leads of AMC’s DEI Advisory Group. Formed in 2019, the DEI Advisory Group was created to expand opportunities for education, dialogue, and understanding about diverse experiences and perspectives within our workplace.

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Steve Smith to Speak on DEI at AAMSE Annual Conference

By AMC

AMC CEO Steve Smith will share insights on how to be a more effective ally and advocate to BIPOC colleagues, leaders, and members who face obstacles, injustice, and racism daily at the AAMSE Annual Conference on July 28. Co-presenting the session “Conversations in DEI: Allyship and Advocacy," Steve will draw on his experience as past chair of Association Forum's Welcoming Environments Committee and executive leader of AMC’s DEI Advisory Group to highlight ways to be a more present, visible, and committed ally in professional medical societies, workplaces, and communities. 

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Looking for Revenue in Plain Sight

By Wendy-Jo Toyama

Balancing a mission-driven board while ensuring financial sustainability for the association can be a challenge during the best of economic times. But add in a pandemic and ever-increasing inflation, and it can seem like an insurmountable uphill climb.

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Wendy-Jo Toyama and Debbie Trueblood to Give Keynote Session at Forum Forward

By AMC

Wendy-Jo Toyama, CEO and executive director of AAHPM, and Debbie Trueblood, senior consultant, have been selected as the keynote speakers for this year’s Forum Forward in June. In their session titled Institutionalizing Inclusion and Operationalizing DEI as a Value, Wendy and Debbie will share strategies for how associations can budget for DEI, incorporate it into their strategic plans, and implement DEI practices in their organizations.

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Board and Staff Relationships: For Better or For Worse?

By AMC

Like many relationships in life, the board-staff relationship can be really great, with the board and staff working as a cohesive and collaborative team. Or, they can be more challenged, potentially leading to feelings of distrust and disillusionment and suboptimal performance.

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DEI for Leaders: Creating a Learning, Evolving Culture

By Debbie Trueblood, MSW IOM CAE

Many associations have recently begun their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) journeys, or double downed on their DEI efforts in significant ways. This has been a long time coming and is an important evolution of the value associations bring to our industries and professional communities.

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Carol Pape Joins AMC as Executive Director

By AMC

We’re excited to announce that Carol Pape, CAE, has been hired as an executive director and will serve two of our client partners: the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) and the International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS).

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Easy DEI Week Events that Engage and Inform

By Katherine Wayne

This past week AMC celebrated our second annual diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) week. Though DEI is a focus all year long, DEI Week gives us the chance to participate in multiple events each day to celebrate what makes us all unique, take a deeper dive into learning about DEI and fostering an inclusive culture, and step away from our day to day to have some fun.

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Remembering General Colin Powell

By Steve Smith

Colin Powell, a retired four-star general, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the first Black U.S. Secretary of State, died earlier last week at the age of 84, leaving an important legacy of leadership.

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How Associations Turned the Lemon of a Pandemic into  Lemonade

By Katherine Wayne

Since March of 2020, association board leaders have been confronted with leadership challenges that few could have anticipated when elected to serve in volunteer positions. From conference cancellations, member distress, and financial uncertainty, to virtual meetings, burnout, and even grief, association boards and staff have to lead differently.

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