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Frequently Asked Questions
What
is an association management company?
Why outsource to
Wisconsin Association Management, LLC?
What are the fee options
for management services?
What is an association management
company?
Many associations start out as purely volunteer-driven, being
managed by a Board of Directors and other volunteers. This
option is feasible until the membership and objectives require
the existence of a full-time staff-person. A full-time staff-person
will be burdensome and costly to the Association’s Board
and other Members in regard to salaries and personnel management,
office space & equipment, and other overhead costs.
Recently, an alternative has become extremely popular: sharing
the costs and efficiencies of operating a non-profit organization
with several other non-profit organizations that do not pose
a conflict of interest. An association management company
provides a full-time staff to provide a set of stated services
to an organization. Because of the inherent efficiencies,
the cost for the services provided is more affordable and
typically less than hiring a full-time staff-person for the
same organization.
Why outsource to Wisconsin Association
Management, LLC?
Preserve Existing Rapport with Membership.
Other than a dramatic improvement in services to the members,
members will find little evidence that a professional management
company now manages your organization. Your existing phone
number will remain in place, and all phone calls will be answered
and serviced with your organization’s name. Your association
will be an independent entity, with separate bank accounts,
investment accounts, membership databases, and educational
programs. Our staff will create and carry your business cards
and present themselves to the membership and community as
your staff. As such, we are dedicated to serving your needs
and preserving or improving your reputation.
Improve and Retain the Membership.
With the new economy, many Associations have problems retaining
their membership of professionals who may not find justification
in the annual cost of dues. Retirement, unfamiliarity with
your Association’s services and products, or simply
lack of interest are among the many reasons that Associations
across the country face declining memberships. At WAM, we
feel a member must feel “serviced” in order to
recognize the association’s value. Within two weeks
of joining your association, the new member shall receive
a New-Member Welcome Kit, a phone call from the account executive,
and personal invitations to all of the upcoming meetings and
events. By establishing these vital relationships with each
and every member, we develop leadership in the membership
who will eventually serve on committees or even the Board
of Directors! More importantly, we believe in implementation.
If the membership, a committee, or the board makes a decision,
we will see that decision through to the very end. When the
member truly recognizes value, they will remain a member,
refer your association to other potential members, and become
more active.
Enjoy the benefits
of leading-edge technology.
Few associations can afford the sophisticated level of technology
available at WAM. Your organization will always have the newest
and most resourceful software and hardware available, instantly
boosting the level of service to members. As new technological
advances occur, WAM will keep you on the leading edge with
continual access to the software and developments that meet
your specific needs.
Share the cost of
an infrastructure while only paying for the overhead you use.
The cost of maintaining an office can be vast! But organizations
managed by WAM need not worry about the costs of rent, utilities,
technology, and maintenance, along with other expenses. In
addition, you have access to meeting rooms for board and committee
meetings when needed. The newly constructed meeting space
at WAM will allow your visiting Board and other members instant
access to staff, membership files and other intangible benefits
unavailable at offsite locations.
Financial Management: A checks and balances system.
We believe the key to handling your money with accountability
is a system of “checks and balances.” Our theory
is that by having a dedicated WAM Chief Financial Officer
who reports directly to your Treasurer and other Board members,
your association’s financial operations will be more
secure and cost-efficient. Likewise, our staff-person will
generate and track quality budgets and financial statements
to preserve the long-term financial integrity and consistency
of your Association.
Constant Membership Support – Just Call.
If your organization does not currently have a staff, or has
only one staff person, your members have surely experienced
the frustration of not having someone available to assist
them quite frequently. At Wisconsin Association Management,
LLC, there will always be a knowledgeable staff person available
to assist your membership during regular business hours. These
representatives are trained to answer questions specific to
your organization. Members can renew their membership, register
for a conference, or change their mailing address; prospective
members and others can find out what your organization is
all about.
Learn from other WAM-managed
associations by avoiding mistakes and capitalizing on opportunities.
The collective knowledge of seasoned executives is invaluable
as the WAM staff shares their learning experiences with one
another. Combined, the staff of WAM has over 25 years of experience
in managing associations! We have learned that many projects
and concepts have most likely been implemented by our other
associations, so we can learn from past mistakes or successes
to maximize the effectiveness of all decisions or projects
on your association’s behalf. Thus, you can learn about
the pros, cons, cost implications, and other unforeseen issues
before making the move yourself.
Share in WAM’s
collective, overall buying power.
A key benefit of Wisconsin Association Management is its volume
discount buying power. As a result, WAM, LLC can provide your
organization with better hotel contracts, print quotes, mailing
services, website services, and more. The WAM staff will maintain
and improve these relationships with these vendors year after
year.
Available
Services
Administrative
& Executive Management
Full-time Professional Staff to Service Your Membership
Plan and Coordinate Committee and Board Meetings
Database Management
Short-Term and Long-Term Strategic Planning
Event Planning
Execute all Phases of the Event Planning Process
Meetings, Annual Conferences, Monthly Programs
Contract Negotiations with Venues and Vendors
Promotion to the Membership and Registration
Fundraising for the Organization or a Specific Event
Continuing Education Development and Administration
Financial Management
Budgeting and Reporting
Accounts Payable and Receivable
State and Federal Annual Tax Filing
Investment Management
Fundraising
Event Sponsorships
Advertising in Publications
Targeted Fundraising Campaigns
Membership Recruitment & Retention
Implement Aggressive Membership Drives
Establish Relationships, Leadership, and Member Satisfaction
Publications & Communications Management
Create Professional Monthly Newsletters, Membership Directories,
Surveys
Low-Cost Production and Circulation of Publications
Government & Public Relations
Coordinate with the Media
Public Policy Lobbying and Crisis Management
Political Action Committees
Stay Abreast of all Issues and Communicate with the Membership
Web Site Development & Site Maintenance
Provide Low-Cost Opportunities for a New Organization Website
Maintain the Current Organization Website (events, membership
roster, newsletters)
What
are the fee options for AMC services?
Fee options vary from AMC to AMC. Here are some examples of
common fee options:
Standard Management Fee
An organization pays a basic monthly fee for the all-inclusive
services listed in the management agreement.
Break-Even, No-Cash Situation
Many organizations are breaking-even with membership dues
monies and do not have cash reserves in the bank. However,
it is still possible for these groups to obtain the services
of an AMC. An AMC who agrees to work for an organization of
this nature will take a percentage (management fee) from the
profits it is able to generate, and pay a “commission”
to the AMC for each new member it is able to bring into the
organization. This compensates the AMC for assuming the potential
risk of receiving no fee at all.
Hourly or Specific Fee
While some AMC’s may charge an hourly rate for all services
they provide to an organization, many will typically charge
an hourly fee only in situations where the project at hand
is outside the realm of the management agreement with the
AMC.
Another situation may be a one-time, large project that is
not covered by the management agreement. In this scenario,
such as a campaign fundraiser, the AMC and the Organization
would agree on a specific fee or hourly rate to cover the
services.
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