The Association Manager
A Newsletter for Organization Leaders
Published Courtesy of Wisconsin Association Management, LLC
Issue III, December 2003

Inside This Issue:
Generating Association Funds From Thin Air
Website Checklist
Legislative Update: Technical Standards & Specifications
Leadership Quote
About WAM, LLC


From left to right: Christopher Ruditys, Heather Westgor, Brian Parrish and Doug Stangohr

Generating Association Funds From Thin Air

Relying solely on revenues from membership dues can be very restrictive. Chances are your association has a newsletter, a membership directory, a website, or other periodic events and programs. Many individuals join an association to network and showcase their companies' products and services to the other members. The aforementioned mediums create a way to do just that. Consider incorporating one of the following concepts into your association.

Please note : Associations can outsource these concepts to Wisconsin Association Management, LLC.

1. Classified Advertising in Newsletters : in regular newspaper format, individual members or their companies can advertise their products and services. For example, in the Wisconsin Sign Association's newsletter, WAM's newest association, a member from a sign company can post an ad “looking for a used 2002 digital printing machine.”
2. Advertising in Newsletters: much like classified advertising, member companies can advertise their products and services to your membership. Unlike a classified ad, these ads are typically 1/8 page - full page advertisements.
3. Advertising in Membership Directory: if your association doesn't have a directory, consider making one. It is an excellent resource for the members, and certainly a great membership benefit. Within your membership directory, most companies (members or not) will want to place an ad, also ranging from 1/8 page – full page. Typically, you can charge more for these ads than a newsletter ad.
4. Online Advertising: businesses that provide services to your members are willing to pay extra dollars to have their company name and website link listed on your website.
5. Tradeshows: Tradeshows are worth considering if your members can benefit from seeing a variety of certain products and services in one venue. For example, a homeowner who attends a Homeowner Tradeshow would benefit from viewing booths from landscapers, roofers, painters, and many more. Vendors need not be members of the association. Your association collects an exhibitor fee from each vendor as well as the attendee entrance fees.
6. Exhibitors at Annual Conference and Workshops: Many associations have an annual conference or periodic workshops and meetings. Consider having some vendor booths during a meal, cocktail hour, or other portion of the tradeshow. Typically, these types of vendors should be members of the association who will pay for an exhibit booth.
7. Sponsorships of Other Events: Most vendors are also willing to sponsor your event, even if they won't have a booth or chance to showcase their products and services. Typically, the vendor will provide sponsorship dollars in exchange for recognition at the event and in promotional materials for the event.

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Website Checklist

Your association's website is a vital source of information and services for current members, as well as a recruiting tool for prospective members. Achieving this balance is difficult, particularly when associations forget its recruiting and retention powers. You can use the following checklist for your website ( Wisconsin Association Management, LLC maintains and makes improvements to its associations' websites free of charge ):

•  List of membership benefits and services
•  2004 (downloadable) membership application and dues amount
•  Contact information (association headquarters, board of directors, and committee chairs)
•  Calendar of events (including links with downloadable sign-up forms)
•  Recent issue of newsletter

Legislative Update: Technical Standards & Specifications

On November 6th, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that provides anti-trust protection for non profit organizations that create specifications & technical standards for consumer products. These voluntary consensus standards are exempt from liability under antitrust laws so long as such standards and specifications are disclosed to the government.

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Quote

“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
- Vince Lombardi, Former Green Bay Packers Coach

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About Wisconsin Association Management, LLC
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Effective January 1st, we are pleased to announce our newest client: the Wisconsin Sign Association. WSA seeks to enhance and promote the professionalism, knowledge and image of its members from the on-premise sign industry. The statewide association partnered with WAM, LLC to raise the bar and receive superior service for its members. Welcome WSA!

The Association Manager is published bi-monthly by Wisconsin Association Management, LLC to educate association leaders about running an effective non profit association. Prior issues can viewed at our newly launched website located at http://www.wamllc.net.

As our satisfied associations say, "Put the administrative work in the hands of the experts and do what you do best."

Please call WAM, LLC for more information regarding our administrative services. (414) 271-9456.

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