The promise of 2021 brings renewed energy and motivation to move your association forward once again. A new year brings new opportunities to take advantage of that motivation, improve efficiency, and drive innovation. This is your year!
Association Meetings
Most associations, at this point, have pivoted to online formats for their association meetings. Although online meetings can be challenging, view them as an opportunity, rather than an obstacle.
For Board of Director meetings, refine topics by priority. Stick to the few critical issues ahead of you. Distractions are inevitable for any online session, whether working from an office or from home. Keeping your meetings on-task will help attendees stay engaged.
A virtual format also provides more in-depth, meaningful discussions when leadership is divided into smaller focus groups. Although it may seem counterintuitive to have additional meetings, the divide-and-conquer method allows for greater efficiency. It also allows for creative input and developing a sense of ownership.
Now is the time to review your association’s structure and operations as well. A new year can bring a fresh view of your mission and vision statements, along with meeting guidelines and policies.
Whether virtual or in-person, an established board meeting structure must be in place to ensure maximum effectiveness. Consider Robert’s Rules of Order as your association’s guide for efficient meeting protocol if not already in use. You can find the online version here.
Association Events
Just because your meeting format may have changed, virtual does not mean your goals should change. Use the enthusiasm you have now to move forward in 2021. This is the year to elevate the value of resources you provide your membership.
Your members are hungry for contact. Offering an opportunity for them to connect online and build relationships is especially important at this time. Consider a variety of ways to facilitate this connection, such as creating a private Facebook page for like-minded members to share ideas and boost connections.
Begin finding new ways to use online strategies to spark excitement for your association. Today, almost everyone is comfortable downloading materials that provide needed information. Offer a frequent variety of virtual resources to build enthusiasm for participation. In addition, make every event personal by inviting individual members or businesses to share success stories during this difficult time. All it takes is a little creative collaboration to grow your association.
If you need help navigating the virtual meeting format, proBanyan is here to help.