Transcript Document

Cover Slide Notes
The staff orientation PowerPoint was
created originally by Dave Nielsen, CEO
of the Home Builders Association of
Metropolitan Portland.
 Adaptations by Bob Harris, CEO,
NonProfitCenter.com
 Provided as a model for developing
association or chamber staff orientation.
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Staff Orientation
Working for an Association!
Orientation will help you…
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Understand the nature of associations: how they
function similarly and differently from for-profit
companies
Know why the association exists
Learn how to work effectively in an association
environment
Be prepared for the association-staff culture and
expectations
Be aware of the resources, training and education
to help you grow
What makes an Association
Environment unique?
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“Non-profit” somewhat of a misnomer –
what it really means
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“Member-owned”
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Direction and budget set by Board
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Shared nature of decision making
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Involvement of volunteers/members
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Shared passion for industry-profession
How is an Association
environment similar?
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Staff environment
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Customers – but who are they?
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Budget driven (but challenges because…)
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Internal management
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Strategic planning
What Do We Do Here?
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Protect, promote and advance the
Association’s mission and goals
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Serve our primary audience - the members.
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Service the secondary audiences - the
community and the customers
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Promote value and social responsibility
How Do We Get It Done?
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Government & Political Affairs: regulatory
efforts, political relations, issue positions,
legislative efforts, advocacy
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Events: Annual meeting, trade show, regional
education, convention, local meetings
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Membership Services: Networking events,
education, councils, recruitment, member
retention.
How Do We Get It Done?
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Finance & Admin: Front Desk/Customer Service
support, Operations Backbone
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PR & Communications: Internal member
communications, external marketing and
publicity, charitable efforts
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Executive: Leadership development, strategic
planning, leadership organization, staff functions,
facility resources
Roles of Boards & Committees
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Board
– Sets overall vision/direction/goals
– Approves major policies
– Approves budget and ensures adequate
resources
– Responsible for overall financial health of
assn
– Represents industry and helps engage it
– Monitors performance of assn
Roles of Boards & Committees
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Committees (three types/roles)
– Standing: support major programs/function areas in
conjunction w/ staff (e.g. Membership, Finance)
– Event: provide event direction/support, including
sponsor engagement and onsite help
– Steering: help set policy/direction and monitor
performance of major sub-areas within assn
Roles of Staff & Management
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Staff Roles/Functions
– Implement Board policies, especially in
relation to annual goals and objectives
– Handle day-to-day operations
– Provide guidance to Board/Committees on
policy and direction
– Help ensure continuity and appropriateness in
work done by Board/Committees
Roles of Staff & Management
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CEO/Management Team Roles/Functions
– CEO…
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Is the only employee hired by the Board and who reports to
the Board
Ultimately is responsible for all staffing and operations
decisions
Works with the Board, Executive Committee and Officers to
ensure adequate resources and support are in place
– Management Team…
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Helps oversee operations
Provides leadership to create an effective working staff
environment
The Acronym Game
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Organizations:
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Events:
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Industry:
Specific Training Areas
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MEMBERSHIP (separate presentation)
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COMMUNICATIONS (separate presentation)
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COMMITTEES (separate presentation)
Challenge Scenario #1
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Members calling with specific requests
that may not be direction set by
association, may be a problem they
created, or may be unrelated to our work
– Wants support for charity cause
– Wants help solving issue (but may be at fault)
– Has problem with another member
Challenge Scenario #2
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Committee or subcommittee wants action
or makes decision that may be wrong,
inconsistent with Board directive, or might
cause problems
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Changing date of an event
Setting an event policy
Support for candidate or legislative issue
Budget expenditure
Staff Commitments
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Good Communication
– Keep people in loop where appropriate
 General: sponsors; members; general ideas
 Job related: one-on-one; staff meetings; dept
meetings
 Front Desk: schedule; meetings; catering;
incoming call areas
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Mutual Respect
– Deadlines, especially those that impact others ability
to do their jobs
 Communications; financial; reports
– Resolve differences/challenges professionally
 One-on-one; dept mgr; Fin/Admin Dir.; CEO
– Focus on what I can do to excel – not others jobs
Staff Commitments (cont.)
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Trust
– Follow through on commitments made to others
– Support decision-making
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Teamwork
– Help in others areas when needs arise
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Service & Attitude
Ways We Supports You
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To assist you in developing member connections that will
help you in your job – staff are welcome at member events
and should use them to develop relationships, recruit
volunteers and gain other support
To help you learn more about the housing industry – we hold
periodic “field trips” to member companies
To develop a good staff working environment – periodic
staff events, event help, cross-training, etc.
To continue your professional growth – publications,
credentialing, business mgmt, career networking, assn
training
To keep you – compensation, insurance benefits, 401k, time
off, bonuses, employee services
Final Thoughts…
 Where
is association and the industry
or profession headed?
(Environmental scan discussion.)
 What
we do now may not be what we
do 5 years from now, so always think,
ask, propose.
 Questions?