By Traci Brazelton, KCSAE Director Sometimes the problem isn’t too much conflict. It’s not having enough of the right kind. Smart people can avoid difficult conversations remarkably well. They postpone feedback because “now isn’t the right time.” They leave a…
by Kyle Farmer, KCSAE Director In 2020 a task force was charged with researching KCSAE’s current value proposition in a few key areas: new member recruitment, existing member retention, and partnership relationship development. The result of the task force’s work…
by Ron Worth, CAE, KCSAE Secretary What a challenging time this has been to be in the non-profit industry. COVID-19 has altered all aspects of our industry and makes budgeting and planning for 2021 even more of a work of…
by Kim Heck, CAE, KCSAE Director When I first started this article in early January, my working title was: “What does it take to Engage Members?” I listed that the number one strategy is to focus on who you serve…
by Heather Lehman, CAE, KCSAE Secretary Like many associations in the last few years, membership has been in a tough spot. In looking at our recruitment strategies, we have tried the same tactics over and over again. It is insanity…
By Melanie Dolechek, KCSAE Board of Director Whether you have a clear career path mapped out in your mind, or are waiting on the next opportunity to present itself, taking that next step up the ladder requires a dedicated effort…
Does your LinkedIn profile accurately represent who you are personally and professionally? Does your profile positively represent your association? Does your association use LinkedIn to proactively, and consistently, communicate information to your members and others interested in your association? These are just…
In our fast-paced, technology driven business world, being able to manage change is a key differentiator. Organizations with a proven record of embracing change perform better. High-performing teams that can recognize the need for change are able to leverage the…
By Chad E. Harris, CAE, Executive Director, FarmHouse Fraternity, Inc. Two audiences are essential to the success of KCSAE – our volunteers and our members. These two constituencies over the last few months provided a wealth of information to the…
Retaining members can be challenging. Engaging with them – and keeping them engaged – is key to member retention, but that can be easier said than done. Below are some tips to increase your members’ engagement with your organization: Define…
When I am asked to write these articles, I spend days thinking … what would be of interest to everyone? Right now, I can’t think of a more interesting topic than our hometown – Kansas City! And it just not…
It is the fortunate organization that stops to ask themselves, “Are we doing the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons, or are we doing what we always have done?” Whether you are part of a trade…
by Melinda Farris, KCSAE President Fall is often full of beginnings – the start of a new school year, television programming, football, volleyball, and cross country seasons, and the playoffs! At KCSAE, the fall signifies the beginning of a new…
Hello to all of you, KCSAE colleagues. As the summer months approach, many of us are gearing up for annual meetings, vacations, outdoor activities, time with family and friends. We may place professional development on the back burner during this…
Your board of directors was back at it once again with their February board meeting. We continued our efforts and dedication to steer the organization forward as so many boards have done before us. As we look forward, it is…
Greetings KCSAE comrades! Communication is a key ingredient to any successful endeavor with two or more individuals. One of the major initiatives of the current board is to increase overall communication not only within the board, but more importantly, with…
Greetings and happy new year, KCSAE friends! In the first quarter-plus of KCSAE’s programmatic year, we’ve seen the unveiling of a newly imagined KCSAE web site, a new logo embodying a welcoming and contemporary KCSAE brand, excellent educational programming, and…