Random Thoughts from Toronto

When you spend two days immersed in an event, it’s hard to take time for deep breath much less note-taking. As ASAE’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Toronto this is certainly the case. But before I rest, I need to put down a few random notes.

I learned why thepowerofa.org campaign was so important today … the goal was to get associations a seat at the new table in Washington DC.

If you really want to engage members in the new technology, find the social objects that would draw in people — for example, looking at the members who raised their hands to volunteer but didn’t join a formal committee. The social object: I need a volunteer; I want to volunteer. (From SocialFish of course!)

If you really want to engage young professionals and emerging leaders, you need create a space for them – one that invites them in, coaches and teaches, and creates a safe community. ASAE Leadership Academy is one example, YAP.org is another.

Ideas for solutions – or at least great tests – are often sitting right in front of you. It takes being counter intuitive – offering free membership to create demand; paying chapters for data to open up sharing.
Twitter is great way to take, share and retrieve notes. Find mine and lots of others at #asae09.

Under lessons learned:
If you offer an open mic, it’s now open. You can’t take it back easily from an engaged group.
If you’re planning an event, it’s the little irritants that will get you bad marks (note to self: order extra notebooks and laynards).

Advice heard (and accepted):
In the Leadership Kick-off: Volunteer experience is important … important for the product and process.

In Engaging your Board in Strategic Conversations: Boards need to hear directly from members.