Selection Criteria

Savvy associations evaluate AMCs in three areas: critical skills, experience and cost. Your ranking within these areas is tied to what is most important to your association. AMCs provide a full menu of services, but have areas of strength. Clearly understanding what’s important to you will help match your needs to an AMC’s strengths.

1. Critical Skills — based on the specific needs of the association in these areas
   

   Communications Planning & Organization Leadership/Volunteer Management Public Relations & Marketing Meetings & Events Management Finance & Accounting Program Specific Skills (e.g. certification)

2. Association Management Experience
   

   Years in business Size/range of clients Facility/technical resources Continuity of management Depth of staff Personal style

3. Cost
   

   Monthly fees Additional expenses/direct expenses Transition or start-up fees

To help draw up the list of what’s important to your association, consider two points. According to ASAE, associations cite these eight services as most important:

• providing member education
• planning and executing an association convention
• preparing an association newsletter
• leading and fostering the exchange of important ideas
• recruiting members and processing memberships
• maintaining acceptable financial control
• delivering accurate, appropriate, and timely information to elected leaders
• maintaining effective management control throughout changes in elected leadership

At Mariner we add a ninth — strategic planning. It’s the most essential service an AMC can and should provide clients. A well-crafted strategic plan ensures an association’s resources focus on programs and services which create the greatest possible value for the association’s members.