 Membership, meetings stand strong |
| Tailored programs help associations keep members on their rolls, despite increased costs |
| Newspaper association up to bat to help the industry |
| NAA reduces staff by 40 percent and shifts its primary focus from print products to bringing its member newspapers into the digital age |
| Guidance on new lobbying disclosure revised |
| After complaints over the instructions on how to complete the new LD-203, congressional officials release new guidance two weeks before deadline |
| Two groups address ethical problems differently |
| ACORN and Points of Light Institute dealt with financial crises in opposite ways, illustrating issues raised in the charitable sector. |
| Lack of minority engineering students alarms executives |
Summer programs are one way to interest students in science,
technology and mathematics with an eye to increasing the diversity
pipeline
|
| Immigrant voter alliance forms |
| In an effort to increase voting among newly naturalized citizens and
infrequent voters, 14 organizations have banded together with the goal
of registering 500,000 new immigrants and mobilizing one million voters. |
| Groups target futures speculators in oil price increases |
Several industry campaigns hope to educate American consumers about the role that investors play in rapidly escalating fuel prices.
|
| Sugar Association not threatened by loss of U.S. Sugar Corp. |
| U.S. Sugar Corporation’s tentative $1.75 billion deal to sell its land to the state of Florida for Everglades restoration comes less than a year after the organization gave notice of its resignation from the Sugar Association, according to association President and CEO Andy Briscoe. |
| Grasso’s legal victory is a technical win for CEOs |
A New York court’s decision dismissed claims of excessive compensation against the former head of the New York Stock Exchange.
|
| Paint association celebrates overturned Rhode Island court decision |
The National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA) declared a victory July 1 after the Rhode Island Supreme Court overturned their 2006 decision to hold paint manufacturers liable for lead pigments in decade-old paint products.
|
| Cross training benefits associations and staff members |
| Built-in interdepartmental programs can develop new skills and even save money but they take time and forethought to implement well. |
| GMA spearheads campaign against corn-based ethanol supports |
| More national associations sign on to the effort to reduce government mandates. |
| Corner office shelf: Profits with bottom line integrity |
Former GE executive presents a business model fusing ethics and performance goals.
|
| Credit card company launches nonprofit leadership program |
American Express finances a Nonprofit Leadership Academy through partnership with educational nonprofit.
|
| Association PACs rev up for election |
Trade groups contributing more than ever to candidates, with double-digit increases year over year.
|
| Study shows 2007 foundation investments decrease |
| In troubled economy, investments in energy, natural resources, international and private equities yielded highest return. |
| Market turbulence impacts global recruiting industry |
| Nonprofit and trade group recruiting remained stable, despite decline in key sectors of the retained search industry. |
| Ground transport coalition launches campaign |
| In an effort to improve the nation’s deteriorating transportation
infrastructure, the Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM)
coalition launched the FasterBetterSafer campaign June 23 to push for
the renovation of roads, bridges and highways. |
| New advertisements update perception of industries |
Some organizations are using the lull in an election year to retool advertising and refresh their image.
|
| ASAE issues comments on 990 instructions |
| In a letter sent to the Internal Revenue Service last
week, ASAE continued to lobby for changes to the Form 990 |
| Supreme Court forces NAM to disclose members |
Manufacturers’ association forced to abide by new rules but will still appeal lower court decision.
|
| So far in 2008, who's at the top of the lobbying spending list? |
As part of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007,
organizations now report their lobbying spending quarterly instead of
semi-annually.
|
| Consumer Electronics adds housing perk for staff |
| CEA may be the first trade association to offer down payment assistance to all of its full-time employees |
| Retirements, churn fueled search firm business in 2007 |
| More nonprofits hired a search firm in 2007 to fill CEO jobs and a pipeline of senior staff positions |
| Elections to Dominate 2008 |
With big policy issues on the backburner, trade groups will focus on gearing up for the presidential elections, reaching across the aisle and the IRS’ new reporting rules
|
| Home Builders launch green certification program |
NAHB’s National Green Building program brings competition to U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED system.
|
| Trade groups, members join to help homeowners |
| At the call of the federal government, an industry alliance aims to help consumers at risk of foreclosure |
| Trade groups scrutinize investments, reevaluate risks |
Financial turmoil is forcing associations to examine their financial strategies and appraise reserves
|
| Special Report: Primed to Lead: Recognizing those with CEO potential |
CEO Update explores the qualities, skills and experience necessary to be considered as a candidate for the top spot in an association.
|
| AAUP reorganizes, divides into three distinct units |
| Higher education faculty group formed in 1915 amends its constitution, creates new structure to allow union, charitable arm |
| Governance, Pay Dissected in New IRS Form 990 |
 After 25 years, the IRS has drafted new changes to the Form 990, requiring more disclosure on governance, compensation and assets. IRS seeking public input.
|
| Trade group CEOs hedge endorsements in close presidential race |
While some K Street leaders pledged early backing for presidential candidates, others are balancing their support in this competitive race for the White House.
|
| Executive search feels economy’s tug |
| Nonprofit searches posted an increase in Q4 2007, but the financial sector, the largest branch of search, is feeling the weight of the economic slump. |
| Top Places to Work in Associations and Nonprofits |
Some of the best places to work stress a work/life balance for their employees with more paid time off and benefits for the entire family
|
| D.C. economy resilient despite economic downturn |
The capital area has shed its image as a government town and a diverse regional economy is keeping the area buoyant
|
| Results boost CEO pay |
Industry groups are bundling higher expectations, benchmarks and strategic goals inside the pay packages of their leaders
|
| Checking references: Read between the lines |
| Worried about litigation, former employers are cautious about what they can and can’t say |
| 457(f) Offers Great Rewards with Risk |
| Deferred compensation plans have become a popular choice for executives to sock away funds for a future date, but experts advise caution when navigating 457(f)’s strict rules and regulations.
|
| Spelling Out Severance Terms |
| Churn at the top of industry groups has made severance clauses a critical part of executive contracts that can provide a cushion for CEOs forced out of a job |
| CEO Evaluations: A Necessary Review |
| Evaluating the CEO’s performance can ensure the organization – and their leadership – is on solid footing. It’s also part of the board’s responsibility. |
| CEO Departures: What Went Wrong? |
Executives rarely talk about “terminations without cause.” Board
directors even more rarely disclose why they swung the axe. From those
candid enough to share them, these insights into high-level partings
emerge as cautionary tales for CEOs and boards alike.
|
| Industry trade groups battle negative public perception |
Association executives mount advertising campaigns and speaking tours to combat adverse views among consumers, but bias often persists.
|
| Vermont law creates charity hybrid that turns a profit |
Wider applications are possible for new limited liability corporations with a social mission that can now attract market-based investors.
|
| Surgeons group building a new home on the Hill |
American College of Surgeons starts construction of a 10-story office building for their government relations staff near the Capitol.
|
Craig Fuller, who led the National Association of Chain Drug Stores
from 1999 to 2006, will join AOPA in October as president-elect and
take the helm on January 1, 2009.
Cal Dooley, a former Congressman and an association leader, succeeds Jack Gerard at ACC.
At ARTBA, the terrain starts off rough, with a new CEO and a mature trade group in the midst of financial challenges—including a 10-year lease escalation that was sinking the organization into further debt. Despite board and staff skeptics, Peter Ruane suggested purchasing the property outright in 1993—a daring investment for the group housed on the dreary edge of Washington’s downtown core, near the now-demolished convention center. 
After resigning his seat in late 2007, former congressman joins high-profile K Street firm to provide “strategic counsel to clients.”
In the midst of surging gas prices, decreases in business travel, a drop in consumer confidence and sure signs of economic recession, Joe McInerney sees some familiar trends. He came aboard as CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association in October 2001, just as the bottom was dropping out of the industry after Sept. 11, at a time when air travel and tourism came to a virtual standstill.
As a third-generation dairy and beef farmer involved in local land issues, Ralph Grossi joined the American Farmland Trust with a barn load of experience. In May, AFT named Grossi’s successor, Jon Scholl, who comes from the Environmental Protection Agency. Though no departure date is set, Grossi plans to linger in hopes of easing the transition. 
