CSAE Town Hall Provides Updates on Advocacy, Planning and Programming
Hosted by Tracy Folkes Hanson, president and CEO, the virtual CSAE Town Hall on June 29th offered highlights on CSAE’s activities and answered members’ questions as we head into the summer. Here’s a round up of the information shared.
Call for Action on Truth and Reconciliation
Following the horrifying discoveries at former residential schools in B.C. and Saskatchewan, CSAE encourages all members to lend their voice to press the government for an accelerated response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (CTAs). Please click here to send a letter to your local Member of Parliament. If you have not done so already, please read the TRC Report and Calls to Action.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
CSAE continues to work towards creating a more inclusive environment and modelling it for members. Efforts are taking shape and will be incorporated into CSAE’s strategic plan. Stay tuned for more information as it develops.
Government Relations and Advocacy
Advocacy is an important focus for our members, and CSAE continues to build bench weight in government relations on behalf of its membership and the association sector. A large part of CSAE’s agenda for the past 16 months has been working with the government, applying pressure where/when needed. Key areas of focus have included advocacy around funding, a response to the suggested changes to the Lobbying Act and, currently, the Canada Not for Profit Corporations Act. Watch CSAE communications channels for updates on our government relations efforts.
Unique Value Proposition
Achieve more together. The hub for Canadian associations. CSAE’s recently-developed unique value proposition positions the organization as the reliable and credible space for association professionals to learn and prosper, and the intersection of associations and the businesses that support them. As we move into the future, CSAE will continue to ask members what they need – that is how it will stay relevant into the future.
Comprehensive Member Research
A multi-stage research effort is underway to understand member needs and how CSAE can provide the most effective support. CSAE is striving for a thorough, comprehensive process – not a one size fits all. Once we have the data from association members, CSAE will be better equipped to provide insight to business partners who want to connect and provide support to associations. Some common themes emerging from the research point to a need for resources, accessible and affordable learning and connection between cohorts of similar members. The member survey for associations is currently in field. Please contact info@csae.com if you haven’t seen the survey in your inbox. Plans are now being developed to seek input from business members to round out this comprehensive member needs assessment.
CSAE Status Update
It comes as no surprise that CSAE saw a decline in business membership during the pandemic. However, executive membership has remained stable and has even shown small gains. In response, CSAE is developing a new strategic plan that will be unveiled at its virtual AGM on Oct. 27th – mark your calendars!
CSAE Conference 2021
CSAE will host a virtual CSAE Conference, Nov. 9-11, with the theme “Community.” Our planning team is developing a cohort-driven agenda that will allow like-minded members – CEOs, small associations, northern groups, etc. – to come together to learn and grow. Consider this your invitation to join us. Click here to register.
Navigating Good Governance
As we have planned virtual AGMs and meetings over the past 16 months, there have been many questions about how to ensure good governance. CSAE encourages you to attend the online Governance Forum on Sept. 23, where you and your Board can learn for a single group price. Click here for information and to register.
Continuing Professional Development
As the CAE® designation matures and evolves, there is a commitment to improve and enhance the ongoing educational experience. For example, CSAE is currently developing a webinar to address the transition back to in-person activities. Find out more about the CAE® program here.
Benefits & Compensation Research
CSAE has partnered with The Portage Group on benefits and compensation research and is planning to release a new compensation report in a few months. Work is also underway to develop a new online tool that will allow you to access comprehensive, real time compensation data when you need it.
Shifting to Virtual Operations
Earlier this year, CSAE transitioned to an all-virtual operation. We already had flexible hours and remote work capability, but had to revisit insurance policies, IT solutions and remote work policies in the employee manual. As other associations contemplate similar arrangements, CSAE is a resource during the transition process. Changes to the workplace and the workforce have happened as a result of the pandemic, raising questions about long-held constructs and how organizations will operate going forward.
Returning to “Normal”
We are all looking forward to the day when CSAE can once again welcome our members to in-person programming. A few weeks ago, CSAE and its eight regional networks made the decision to resume in-person activities once public health has announced it is safe to do so. In the meantime, CSAE is exploring all options for signature events such as Tête-a-Tête and the Trillium Summits.
The shift back to in-person business events may be slower than hoped. Digital solutions will continue to be important and warrant future investment, while the hybrid event concept continues to develop.
In the meantime, CSAE has held its own over the past year as it adapts to a very fluid business environment. Moving forward, it will remain focused on member dialogue to explore innovative ways to support members and provide value in the “new normal.” Forums like the CSAE Town Hall are invaluable to this important communication.
