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How can associations communicate being successful and active? “Brag about it!”
Years ago, when my son was around 8 years old, he asked me what brag meant. For a moment, I was thinking of ways to define brag to a young
RGI Celebrates Wins at the 2021 ISAE Star Awards
Last week, RGI joined the Indiana Society of Association Executives or its annual STAR Awards ceremony, recognizing the best and brightest in association management in 2021.
Making the Best of Virtual BOD Meetings
It’s quite possible that virtual board meetings may be part of the “new normal” for your association leadership for the foreseeable future. By being a purposeful planner, you’ll use technology to not just survive, but thrive.
7 Ways to Keep Your Organization Moving Forward Through Board Transition
As we approach the new year, you may find some new faces at your next board meeting. We have identified a few ways to ensure new members are effectively onboarded and your organization keeps moving forward through this transition.
Five Keys to the Board Nomination Process
It is more important than ever that you fill your board with volunteers who are passionate, committed and possess the skills needed to lead your association. Follow these five key steps to help your board nomination process.
3 Easy Ways to Make In-Person Attendees Feel Comfortable Again
As Association professionals we are constantly juggling the changing needs of various stakeholders. The return to in-person meetings is no exception. The last 18 months has taken a toll on the well-being of many of our members. In this post, we identify 3 easy ways to make attendees feel comfortable again.
Raybourn Group International’s Nick Estrada, CAE, CMP Receives Association Forum’s Forty Under 40 Recognition
Congratulations to Nick Estrada, CAE, CMP, Director of Membership for Raybourn Group International (RGI), was recently recognized by Association Forum as a 2021 Forty Under 40 recipient.
In-Person or Virtual? 4 Blogs to Prepare You for 2022 Events
2022 is quickly approaching and that means it is time to start looking at what events will look like for the next year. Will they return to in-person? Will they continue to be virtual?
How to Effectively Communicate the Benefits of Your Association
You may recall buying a new (or new-to-you) shiny car and having a crash course on using all the new bells and whistles at the dealership. Then you get home to fumble through how to use these bells and whistles and can’t remember how. Member benefits can be similar.
Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers: Tips for Creating a Successful Volunteer Program
We know we need volunteers to accomplish the goals of the association, but having a productive volunteer program is rarely its own goal. That’s especially dangerous as recruitment must be a constant effort. Remember: volunteering isn’t a member obligation – it’s a member benefit.
Steps to Finding an AMC
Steps to Finding an AMC Finding, selecting and contracting with an Association Management Company (AMC) is a valuable process in and of itself, but it does take time. For many
Sample Scope of Work
Sample Scope of Work When selecting an AMC, it’s important to ensure mutual clarification of the duties to be performed by the AMC. Click the link below to download a
AMC/Volunteer Responsibility Grid
AMC/Volunteer Responsibility Grid The AMC/Volunteer Responsibility Grid is an example of a tool that boards can use to determine appropriate responsibilities. This will allow you to list all the things
Free Step-by-Step Event Marketing Plan
This easy-to-use template will help an event marketing professional at any level conduct a successful marketing plan from start to finish.
How to Make Your Association’s Culture a Member Benefit
In “The Leader’s Guide to Corporate Culture”, an article in the Harvard Business Review, defines culture as what is encouraged, discouraged, accepted, or rejected within a group. It states that
3 Keys to Purposeful & Strategic Association Events
One of the key membership benefits of any association is the ability to participate in an Annual Meeting or Conference. In my last blog, 5 Trends Shaping the Future of
5 Trends Shaping the Future of Association Meetings and Events
Association professionals learned in March of 2020 that our crystal ball was broken. If you had asked back then what the future of meetings would be, we might have said
Takeaways From an In-Person Event
The following is a first person account of an in-person event held on April 12 & 13 by the Casket and Funeral Supply Association of America. This account is from
Raybourn Group International Named Among Best Places to Work in Indiana
Contact: Shelly Pfenninger, CAE800-362-2546spfenninger@raybourn.com Raybourn Group International Named Among Best Places to Work in Indiana Indianapolis – The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has revealed the rankings for its 2021
Conferences and Events: Lessons From the Last Year
In the past year, our fully virtual world has taught us a lot about conferences and events. There are takeaways for all parties involved in events as meeting planners, presenters
Why You’re Not Getting New Volunteers (And What You Can Do About It)
Volunteer leadership is an essential aspect of any association that wants be successful. And for associations who want to continue to adapt, bringing in new volunteers is key. They bring
Volunteer Appreciation: 10 Quick Tips for Saying Thank You
Successful associations need volunteers, appreciate their help, and thank them for their contributions. Volunteer time and expertise are valuable, so ensure your volunteers feel valued as well. Whether you thank
4 Steps to Building an Effective Volunteer Program
Volunteers are essential for any association. They are in tune with your industry, understand the needs and motivations of your members, and are often the ones charged with planning and
Volunteers: The Lifeblood of a Successful Association
Associations serve as forces of change for their industries and provide members with essential resources to help their careers and businesses thrive. While association staff can manage the day-to-day operations
Membership Advancement: Tips for Engaging Your Association’s Members
Association membership should be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Both the individual member and the association they are a part of should find value from the relationship. It is on both
Membership Recruitment: 4 Marketing Strategies That Lead to Growth
Last week’s blog looked at four steps you can take to make your association worth joining. Step two of growing your membership is actively seeking out an effective membership recruitment
4 Steps to Make Your Association Worth Joining
In order to attract new members, you must first make your association worth joining. What are some things that you can do to make your organization more appealing to potential
Raybourn Group International Staff Earn Prestigious Designations
We are pleased to announce that two Raybourn Group International staff members have recently earned certifications in their respective fields. Emilie Perkins, Director of Client and Conference Services, has earned
Understanding the AMC Management Model
As defined by The AMC Institute, “Association Management Companies (AMCs) are for-profit businesses that manage associations to help them grow and prosper.” The AMC management model allows associations access to
RGI Named as One of the Best Places to Work in Indiana
We are pleased to announce that Raybourn Group International has been selected as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Best
4 Best Practices for Developing a New Board of Directors
For many associations, the beginning of a new year brings with it the installment of a new board of directors. Whether your association is replacing the entirety of its board
3 Ways Volunteer Leadership Creates Opportunity for Your Members
Just as you cannot climb a mountain by only reading about it, you cannot build a strong association when members are only engaged enough to simply skim the monthly magazine
The Roles of Board and Staff in Association Leadership: Who Does What?
When thinking about the roles and responsibilities of association leadership, a good rule of thumb is that the board governs and the staff manages. But how exactly does that look?
RGI Celebrates Wins at the 2020 ISAE Star Awards
Last week RGI joined the Indiana Society of Association Executives for its annual Star Awards ceremony, recognizing the best and brightest in association management in 2020. While the event looked
Board Training Checklist : Going Beyond The Orientation
Board Training Checklist : Going Beyond The Orientation The start of a new governance term can be an exciting time. Your board gains fresh ideas and perspectives. New board members
RGI in 2020: Our Year in Review
A lot has happened in 2020, and associations from all over have been forced to respond to what has been a difficult and unexpected year. Here at RGI, we are
RGI in 2020: NCAC’s Success in Uncharted Virtual Territory
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Council of Acoustical Consultants – like many others – was faced with an issue it had never before encountered. As the
RGI in 2020: MSECA Adapts Virtually for Sponsors and Exhibitors
Each association and each conference is different. However, when the time came to transition to a virtual conference this year, the Midwestern States Environmental Consultants Association found success by building
RGI in 2020: CHPA Draws on Resources of RGI Staff
Association management companies (AMCs) such as RGI serve a variety of clients across many industries, which means that individual associations managed by AMCs have access to the experience, knowledge and
RGI in 2020: ISPLS Finds Value in Association Management Model
As the world went virtual this year and many associations adjusted by moving conferences and events online, the Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors took notice. While its conference was
RGI Welcomes Industry Veteran Wendy King as Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 12, 2020 Contact: Shelly Pfenninger, CAE800-362-2546spfenninger@raybourn.com Raybourn Group International Welcomes Industry Veteran Wendy King as Executive Director Indianapolis – Raybourn Group International (RGI), an Indianapolis-based association
RGI in 2020: Expertise Guides SNEB Through COVID-19 Crisis
With all that has happened in 2020, associations from all over have been forced to respond to what has been a difficult and unexpected year caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
RGI in 2020: ICBR’s Quick Response to COVID-19
A lot has happened in 2020, and associations from all over have been forced to respond to what has been a difficult and unexpected year. Here at RGI, we are
The Power of Authenticity in Association Communications
In a world full of associations, standing out from the crowd is a must. In some cases, there are dozens of associations within a single industry that are all vying
A Guide to Media Outreach and Raising Awareness
With almost two million associations vying for attention, holding an event is generally not newsworthy unless something goes horribly wrong. So, how can you earn press coverage to raise community
Membership Renewal Marketing: Five Things to Know and Do
For many associations, now is the time when it can become more important than ever to ramp up membership renewal marketing. For those that renew memberships annually, the end of
Four Keys to Approaching Member Communications
As associations and association staff frame their marketing and communication strategies, they must plan specifically around two categories: member and non-member communications. Non-member communications oftentimes mean recruitment campaigns, where associations
Virtual Events: 4 Tips for Association Staff
Whether it’s a one-day conference or a full week (or month!) of programming, making the jump to a full-on virtual event can put a lot of strain on association staff.
Creating Value for Attendees in Virtual Events
There is probably nobody that needs to be convinced of the benefits of virtual events more than the attendees themselves. Your members are likely used to attending conferences and events
Setting Your Speakers Up for Virtual Success: 10 Tips
Virtual events aren’t new, but they certainly are getting a lot more attention as many in-person events have been cancelled – a pattern that will likely continue for a while.
Q&A: Strategy and Infrastructure in a Changing World
With COVID-19 giving us a quickly changing world, associations are faced with tough choices on how to innovate through change. RGI President Leslie Murphy, FASAE, CAE, outlines how associations can
4 Elements of Successful Long-Term Planning
One of the essential jobs of the Board of Directors is to prepare its organization and its members for the future. Keeping ahead of industry trends is not an easy
5 Keys to Brainstorming: The First Step in Long-Term Strategy
It is time to start planning new long-term strategic goals and ideas in a post-COVID era. Staying in a reactionary mode does not allow your organization to take advantage of
Advocacy: 5 Key Factors to Develop a Strategy
Laws, regulations, ordinances and many other types of government actions can impact a variety of professions and businesses. When issues arise that affect a certain profession, associations can find themselves
A Board Member’s Guide to Selecting an Association Management Company
Download our free e-book that lays out the process for selecting an AMC, including exactly what you need to do before, during and after the search to ensure your organization
Three Steps to Building an Advocacy Program
So, your organization wants to start an advocacy program. Now what? Advocacy can be a powerful vehicle for strengthening an industry, protecting your members and affecting change. How do you
Q&A: Pivoting to a Virtual World
COVID-19 has forced associations to re-think how they offer educational and networking opportunities. While in-person events have been a traditional fixture for associations, today virtual and hybrid (part in-person, part-virtual)
Creating Member Value Amidst Uncertainty
As associations adapt to COVID-19, it is critical to lead through crisis and ensure that your organization’s member benefits still provide value. Two RGI membership professionals, Melissa Heeke, CAE and
Non-Dues Revenue in a Post-COVID World
As associations grapple with new challenges in a post-COVID world, one of the most pressing issues is the generation of non-dues revenues. With many conferences and events cancelled, and many
Perspective from a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every person working in associations, from those on staff to board members and volunteers. The last few months have reshaped how we approach our lives,