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Four Leadership Skills to Drive Success at the Board Table
Associations depend on their board, staff, and volunteers every step of the way. Volunteers get involved because of the personal and professional aspects of an association and that is exactly
How To Run a Meeting While Keeping Your Audience’s Attention
What is worse than scheduling a meeting only to have participants tune out of the conversation? We’ve all had this happen, whether it be a virtual meeting or an in-person
New Member Momentum: Four Ways to Engage First-Year Members of Your Trade Association
You have a creative website. You have a fun annual conference. Your trade association has several benefits, yet your member companies seem to drop after the first year. What do
Three Quick Ways to Increase Volunteerism in Your Association
Volunteers are the foundation of any non-profit. If you don’t have new volunteers coming into the mix on a regular basis, you’re missing a key leadership development opportunity to bring
Shift Your Thinking: Surviving to Thriving
For many association leaders, visions of growth and innovation took a backseat to a focus on maintenance and downright survival these past couple of years. For the world this was
Four Ways to Foster Member Connections Outside of Your Annual Conference
The annual conference for each association is a time for reconnecting with peers, industry-specific education, meeting new partners and more. It is a time for the association to address members
How to engage members in the off-season
Rest. Self-care. Reflection. There are benefits to recharging and resetting our minds (and bodies) when we allow ourselves to do so. Remember what a summer break felt like as a
Raybourn Group International Named Among Best Places to Work in Indiana for the Second Consecutive Year
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has revealed the rankings for its 2022 Best Places to Work in Indiana program, selecting Raybourn Group International (RGI), an Indianapolis-based association management,
Tips For On-boarding New Staff Members
We’ve all been there, we’ve all had our first day, and we all know the feeling of learning a new workplace and a new group of people that you may
Three Reasons to Reconsider Your Conference Theme
While reviewing my upcoming tasks in our master timeline, I saw the annual reminder to “ask next year’s conference chair for the theme and start logo design.” If your to-do
Emily Wrinkle, DES, Earns Recognition at the 2022 MPI Indiana IMPRESS Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (April 29, 2022) – Emily Wrinkle, DES, was recognized at the 2022 IMPRESS Awards hosted by the MPI Indiana Chapter. Wrinkle was awarded the One to Watch award as
Making Your Communications More Accessible
My client’s website recently went through a User Experience Evaluation, which helped us to better understand areas of our website that weren’t beneficial to our audience. One of the auditors
Volunteer Recruitment: Identifying Potential Volunteers
Most Associations do a big “call for volunteers” because not only do we want to recruit volunteers to fill all of our positions, we also want to make sure that
Raybourn Group International’s Emilie Perkins Named to CMP Fellow Inaugural Class
INDIANAPOLIS (April 7, 2022) - Emilie Perkins, CAE, CMP, CMM, PMP, CED, Director of Client and Conference Services at Raybourn Group International (RGI), was named to the inaugural CMP (Certified
How to have hard conversations around the board table
Every association is faced with tough conversations in the board room. Here are several strategies to help ensure discussions go smoothly and end in a positive result for the board
What do volunteers want to do? How does it align with our mission?
Volunteer recruitment seems to be a universal problem. We know it is a challenge to fill all of our committees but do we really understand why we are struggling? With
Event Planning in a Post-Pandemic World
Bring it back to basics. Throughout the pandemic, organizations have been challenged to evaluate and reimagine their programs and events. While the underlying reason was not positive, hopefully the outcome
Should my association start a podcast?
This question about podcasts is one I hear more and more frequently each year, and it’s a good one to ask. There are many benefits to launching a podcast, from
Staffing Benefits of an AMC
Staffing Benefits of Working with an Association Management Company One of the benefits of the association management company (AMC) model is shared resources across multiple associations under one roof. This
Quick SEO tips to increase your website’s organic search
A former marketing professor of mine once compared SEO to the stock market. When someone invests in the stock market, they expect their money to “work for them”, and not
Raybourn Group International a ‘Best Places to Work in Indiana’ for 2nd Consecutive Year
Contact: Craig Banister 800-362-2546 cbanister@raybourn.com Raybourn Group International a ‘Best Places to Work in Indiana’ recipient for 2nd consecutive year INDIANAPOLIS – Raybourn Group International (RGI), an Indianapolis-based association management, consulting
6 Ways to Get Members to Renew
Member renewals are one of the most important tasks of any association’s business. It is easier to keep a current member than to recruit a new one. Whether you have
3 Tips to make a Lifelong Member
Lifelong association members are likely some of the most well-regarded and active members in any field. They have learned from their peers, explored membership programs and services, and have almost
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