Governance


Click HERE to return to the main page
 


Governance competencies essential to managing an association

A. Governance Structure

  1. Sustain an effective governance system that values diversity of thought to guide the organization in accomplishing its mission.
  2. Implement the board’s policies and strategic priorities.
  3. Partner with the board and board committees to achieve the organization’s mission and vision.
  4. Ensure there are clear lines defined for members and staff in the governance of the organization.
  5. Comply with laws and regulations that relate to board activities, meetings, and governance.

B. Chapters and Affiliate Relations

  1. Evaluate the structure and function of affiliates and chapters to advance the organization's mission.
  2. Delineate the lines of authority and responsibility for affiliates and chapters using appropriate agreements
  3. Align policies, procedures, and resources to support affiliate and chapter relationships.

C. Volunteer Leadership Development

  1. Develop a leadership identification program that addresses diversity and inclusiveness and aligns the organization’s needs with individual talent.
  2. Ensure the leadership development program addresses orientation, ongoing training, collaboration, fiduciary responsibility, and accountability.
  3. Develop a volunteer leadership succession plan.

View entire content of knowledge competencies as outlined in the CAE exam.

 

Every session strengthens your knowledge as an association professional!

Most people say the #1 Benefit is to actually be there.

Art of Governance Archive

Building Boards of Excellence

Lowell Aplebaum, Ed.D., FASAE, CAE, CPF, is a leading voice in the realm of association management, renowned for his strategic visioning, stakeholder engagement, and innovative facilitation approaches. With a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering volunteer leaders, members, and staff, Lowell’s dedication to mission based organizations has driven his career and his company since day one.

Held at the brand new Muckleshoot Casino Resort in Auburn with views of Mount Rainier and beyond.This summit combines expert-led discussions on governance challenges and opportunities with valuable networking, in a friendly, safe and supportive space. Discussions will specifically include 1) Creating meaningful leadership relationships. Quick approaches to building a board into a team; 2) Governance excellence. Indicators of board and governance excellence heading into the mid 2020's - a self assessment, and; Strategic capacity of boards through inquiry. You will engage with your peers facing similar challenges, cultivate your executive presence, and realize the benefits of investing in your professional network for years to come. 

Learning Objectives

    Build meaningful connections.
    Gain valuable insights into the dynamic world of association management and executive leadership.
    Cultivate resilience and essential qualities for effectrive leadership.

Key Highlights

  • CEO of Vista Cova, a strategic consulting firm specializing in partnering with organizations to articulate vision & strategy and build stronger Boards.
  • IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator known for delivering dynamic sessions that drive participation and learning.
  • Holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential and is a past-Chair of the overseeing commission for the CAE.
  • Lowell is a Fellow of ASAE, reflective of his commitment and contribution to the association profession.
  • Lowell has earned his Doctorate in Education with a focus on Organization Leadership, incorporating best practices into his work with leadership and governance 
  • Creator of innovative learning series like "Through the CEO Lens" and the co-creation retreat experience "Association Charrette."
  • Contributing author to industry handbooks including Professional Practices in Association Management and a four-time mentor in ASAE's Diversity Executive Leadership Program.

Community Engagement: Beyond his professional endeavors, Lowell is dedicated to giving back to the community. He volunteers with organizations like the American Red Cross, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association and actively supports educational initiatives. Lowell Aplebaum's profound expertise, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to excellence make him a sought-after figure in the association management landscape. His contributions to the industry, coupled with a passion for continuous learning and development, establish Lowell as a true visionary and thought leader in the field.


March 30, 2023 - Next Level Leadership Summit
Building a Fit-for-Purpose Association Board in The Turbulent Twenties Masterclass
Jeff De Cagna FRSA FASAE [he/him/his]
Value: 4 CAE Credits

The radical uncertainty, volatility, and risk that associations have experienced in this decade’s first three years make clear that boards must elevate their performance. Simply optimizing the ability of boards to handle their traditional activities is insufficient, however. To give themselves, their stakeholders, and successors a real chance to thrive in The Turbulent Twenties and beyond, associations must build fit-for-purpose boards capable of setting a higher standard of stewardship, governing, and foresight [SGF]. 

This interactive masterclass will take a hard look at the association community’s powerful orthodox beliefs about boards, the work they do, and how they perform. Participants will gain both fresh insights into what is required of boards and next practices to implement to help their boards navigate an irrevocably-altered world with greater capability and confidence.

Key Learning Questions 

  1. What are the most significant orthodox beliefs that prevent association boards from realizing their full potential?
  2. What is stewardship, governing, and foresight [SGF] and how can association boards adopt this approach to become fit-for-purpose?
  3. How can SGF next practices help association boards reimagine their work and elevate their performance?

November 2019
The Art of Governance & Structure
Keynote: Steve Lamb, CAE
Value: 4 CAE Credits (Total program)

Stephen Lamb, began life as a high school teacher in a previous century, but quickly moved into association management. He has run construction trade associations in the Chicago area for almost 35 years. Possibly because of his school teacher background, Steve is an avowed student of association management -- especially association law. Although not an attorney, he taught the association law prep class for CAE candidates for seven years, and has appeared before the Chicago Bar Association Committee On Associations three times speaking on association antitrust. Steve “retired” from fulltime management in 2016, however, the last three years he has flown almost 50,000 miles a year in his capacity as Best Practices Mentor for the Mechanical Contractors Assn. of America. Steve notes that this MAY be the lamest title of all time, never the less, it gives him a chance to work with local execs all over the country. 

This keynote is about learning association governance best practices useing anecdotes, horrible examples and the occasional legal case to communicate the importance of getting this stuff right. A custom WSAE version of a "Best Practices Review" workbook was provided to participants.

November, 2019
Governance Fundamentals

In this session participants gained insight to better understand why an association is formed, how to leverage the documents that govern an association for better performance, and how to protect yourself and your organization by understanding the legal responsibilities and roles of board members.



Mitch Hansen
, CPA, CMA, CFE, CIA
Shareholder at Clark Nuber

Mitch spent 7 years as a federal auditor auditing federal agencies, and state and local governments and not-for-profits that received federal funds, but got tired of wearing a "black hat." Now he is in public accounting helping the same types of entities avoid federal auditors. He thoroughly enjoys working in the not-for-profit and governmental environments. He especially enjoy the variety of programs, the devotion of employees to a mission, and the variety of issues facing them including complex accounting standards, federal, state and local taxes, federal grant regulations, budgeting, and fundraising. He admires the contributions these organizations make to society and want to assist them in any way. Specialties: Not-for-profit organizations, long-term care facilities, associations, federal grants, A-133 audits, indirect cost rate proposals, state and local governmental entity audits and operational consulting. 



Tom Hurdelbrink
, CAE
CEO at Northwest Multiple Listing Service

Tom has extensive executive level management of trade associations, and is a past president of the Washington Society of Association Executives.