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    Looking Ahead to 2024: Board Responsibilities and Internal Controls

    Introduction In the volatile, uncertain, chaotic and ambiguous world we live in (‘VUCA’ is the handy acronym), associations, nonprofits and for-profit corporations alike are facing unprecedented challenges. Among these are inflation, the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, societal division, […]

    Top 10 Things Association CEOs Must Never Forget

    When I am asked what it’s like to head an association, I respond by saying that it’s very much like managing a small business that you don’t own, but which has a governance structure that could run a multinational company. […]

    A Guide to Taking Effective Meeting Minutes

    The pandemic has not only refocused people’s priorities, but also made them pay more attention to their investments. This movement has made many members more engaged, more critical of what their board does, how problems are solved and generally more […]

    Leadership Spotlight: Meet CSAE’s Board Chair, John Buck, CAE

    Penny Tantakis, CSAE’s Director of Marketing and Communications, sat down with John Buck, CAE, to ask him about governance, leadership and learning, and what he hopes to achieve during his tenure as CSAE’s Board Chair. Here’s what he had to […]

    7 Bylaw Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

    1. Straying From Your Mission Mission drift is a perpetual pitfall in nonprofit governance and management, and it’s a concern in bylaw revisions as well, whether the revision is as-needed or part of a strategic review process. The mission can […]

    Successful Policy Development From Start to Finish

    The connective tissues that keep an association functioning are its policies. All associations have policies even if they are just functional basics like finance and membership. Many associations have a much more elaborate suite of policies, encompassing things like branding, […]

    Tap Into Board Talent at the CSAE Governance Forum

    Thursday, Sept. 23 10:30 am – 4:30 pm EDT Board members and chief staff officers come together to explore innovation and strategy at this unparalleled one-day workshop on Sept. 23, the CSAE Governance Forum. Practical, hands-on and expertly facilitated by Dr. […]

    Governance Documents: The Life and Health of an Association

    Association governance documents, including bylaws and policies, connect mission to operations. They link legal obligations to member values and represent the fundamental principles of associations: democratic engagement and collective goals. These documents also create the stable foundation for association growth […]

    7 Tips to Prepare Your Association for the Unexpected

    By Dr. David S. Weiss and Peter Primdahl The Fall 2020 edition of CSAE’s Association magazine featured an article that urged leaders to get proactive when it comes to planning for an uncertain future. In that article, we delved into […]

    Why CSMLS’s CEO Christine Nielsen says the Symposium for Chief Staff & Chief Elected Officers is a must-attend — every year

    An association’s CEO and its elected board chair must work together to maximize success. That fact is irrefutable, but the path toward mutual support and understanding is often less clear. CSAE is here to help, with its much-anticipated 2021 Symposium […]