Resources

Do you need help in an area of association management in which AMC has expertise? Check out the resources below.

Association Governance/Board Development

Recruit the Right Board

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE
Will Brown, PhD

In this interview published in the March/April 2020 issue of Forum Magazine, governance experts Mark Engle and Will Brown share insights into the research and process of their book, Recruit the Right Board. Through their research, Brown and Engle disrupt and redirect unhealthy cycles in the board room to get boards on the right track and encourage competent board nominations to ensure that association processes and decisions are cultivated by the right hands.

The Keys to High-Functioning Committees and Task Forces

Erin Volland

Highly functional committees and task forces are equally as important to organizations as a high-functioning board. Both depend on the other to govern well. And both can suffer if there is discord or lack of direction. Discover insights into why and how you can ensure your committees and task forces are functioning as effectively as possible so they can advance your organization's strategy and serve your mission.

The 5 Tasks of Effective Board Chairs

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE
Thomas Dolan, FASAE CAE

Though each association board is unique, successful board chairs are those who can effectively lead, facilitate, participate, partner, and protect. Learn more in this article.

Board Member Recruitment and Selection in Trade and Professional Associations

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE
William Brown

Learn techniques for how association leaders and executives can refine existing recruitment and selection practices to support optimal board performance.

For Tough Board Decisions, Qualming Counters Fears with Facts

Mark T. Engle, FASAE CAE

Qualming sessions encourage board member fears to be openly shared, so facts can be introduced to determine whether concern is real and should be considered. With this clear path to a cognitive decision, board members have increased confidence in future decisions.

The Qualm Before the Decision: Peaceful, No-Regrets Decision Making

Julie Rogers

Read about how AMC principle Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE, helped a board make a large, consequential decision with total confidence by conducting a qualming session using steps he developed.

Board Member Self-Assessment

Mark T. Engle, FASAE CAE

Objectively assessing your own performance as a board member can be difficult, but by using our proprietary Board Member Self-Assessment tool, you can more easily gather data and make decisions about how you can most effectively support your organization.

The Role of Transparency in Association Governance

Anne M. Cordes, CAE
Mark Engle, DM FASAE
Jed R. Mandel, Esq

When association boards face pressure to demonstrate transparency, it is important to understand the extent to which they are legally obligated to share information and whether policies and practices requested in the name of transparency are compatible with effective governance.

Effective Board Agendas

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE
Anne Cordes, CAE

Construct effective agendas to keep your board engaged and get the most out of your board meetings.

Behind Closed Doors

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE
Anne Cordes, CAE

Having a frank conversation and establishing some ground rules can make executive sessions useful tools instead of sore subjects.

Executive Sessions in Associations: A Review of Current Literature

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE
Anne Cordes, CAE

Examine how your theory of governance influences your approach to executive sessions.

Balanced Conflict, Better Decisions

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE

Association boards that meet conflict head on succeed in strategic decision making.

The Strategic Decision-Making Process of the Board and Its Impact on Decision Outcomes

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE

Sound and fair processes allow leaders to manage conflict and promote members' understanding of issues.

Beyond the Board Orientation

Karen Nason, CAE

Learn about the use of "mini-scenarios" to create board discussions around complex situations and how it can be very helpful in educating the board on dealing with sensitive matters.

Impress Potential Board Members with Sound Liability Practices

Mark Engle, DM FASAE CAE
Jed Mandel

Learn about best practices for board members to avoid unnecessary liability in their associations.

In the Boardroom, Culture Counts

Nancy R. Axelrod and ASAE

A detailed look at boardroom culture and its influence on how boards operate.

Big Data

The following are a three-part series of articles written for Association Forum of Chicagoland's FORUM magazine titled "Big Data: Its Value Adds Up for Associations."

Big Data Article 1 – November/December 2013

Big Data Article 2 – January/February 2014

Big Data Article 3 – April 2014

Innovation

The Five Keys to Adopting Innovation

Dave Bergeson, PhD CAE

Read this article written by AMC senior account executive and learn about the keys to bringing innovative practices or products into an association.

Leadership

Leadership as a Strategic Priority

Karen Nason, CAE
Mary Beth Benner

Learn about the efforts in comprehensive strategic planning with AMC client, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.

Digital Marketing and Social Media

From Secondary to Necessary: Overhauling Your SEO

June Pinyo, MA
Patrick Murray

Much like websites were once considered to be supplementary but are now a key requirement for businesses, SEO is a necessary practice to yield success on the web.

Best Practices in Social Media: A Resource Guide for Associations

Learn the best practices to guide you through specific social media applications, and get information on legal considerations, metrics, and team roles and responsibilities.