The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) hosted the 2010 Regional Association Council’s 11th annual Leadership Development Workshop (LDW) last month in Grapevine, Texas. And while it was focused on its 175 executive directors and volunteer leaders from all 28 regional associations, it offered lessons – and lots of ideas – for associations which are planning leadership conferences.

I had an inside view and the opportunity to give the keynote Back to the Future for Associations and a break-out session The Secrets to Creating an Exceptional Volunteer Experience.  I took away so many great ideas on logistics, on involving the members and leaders in the planning and the event, on managing volunteers and more. And I relished the opportunity to be at a volunteer and staff event that had an abundance of energy.

In just a few short days, Buzz2010 launches with the frist of three breakfast meetings on hot, hot social media issues. Buzz2010 is both a great learning/networking opportunity and a great model to watch (and experience) unfold.

In a 155-word story, Cynthia D'Amour answers the question. What question you ask in return? The question of what's more important that our chapters follow our rules right down to the last detail or that they deliver great, meaningful results?

I haven’t been very active in this playground because I’ve been spending more time on a new playground More than PR Basics helping our PRSA Maryland chapter launch a blog (and plan and build a phenomenal 1-day event about the marriage of traditional and new media for pr professionals which takes place Tuesday Oct 6) and in Hootsuite land helping two nonprofits get involved in the Twitter conversation.

My focus on our chapters and their respective social media efforts has been fun and has reminded me that we do need to nurture and coach our leaders for success. To that end, here are some links that are definitely worth sharing with your chapter leaders (and really any and all volunteer leaders) to help them succeed:

Today is my first official day off the ASAE Component Relations Section Council. I’ve spent the last six years working on the council beginning with 3 1-year terms as member then 1-year terms as vice-chair, chair and past chair. I am excited to say this is also my official first day on the Executive Management Section Council.

The conversation on the ASAE & The Center's component relations listserv has turned to the issue of leadership again. It started with a conversation point about why all chapters within an organization should or shouldn't charge the same dues. We eventually talked about weak vs strong chapters noting its tied to weak vs strong leaders.

Out of the mouth of the marketing guru Seth Godin comes a leadership truism worth frequent repeating:


Seth shared with Brian Clark in his interview on How To Become A Leader. The full piece actually offers Seth’s thoughts on five questions about the dynamics of tribal leadership (building from his book Tribes). The one that grabbed my attention focused on his “universal truths” many of which have a message for association’s in search of good volunteer leaders. Here are some of those truths and my reflections:

Dean Rieck wrote a great post on Six Ways to Get People To Say Yes  over at Copy Blogger
that’s a must read for anyone who’s ever asked "how do I get volunteers?".

I am constantly amazed at how what is going on all around us has applicability to associations. Check out this article from Sunday's Parade Magazine on Should Congress Stop Rewarding Seniority?

Basically it asks if Senate protocol to award committee chairmanship to the longest-serving members is still valid. It's the same question we should be asking in our associations ... that is if we want to engage new thinking, new communication channels and new faces (not to mention the new generation). What do you think?

The time of year we reflect back on what we should be thankful for. Putting on your professional hat for just a moment … what do you have to be thankful? Your staff & colleagues? Your members? Your volunteers? Your component organizations?

It really takes all to create a vibrant association.