October November 2018

FOCUS

October / November 2018

NORTH

CUSTOM CHOPPER FOR Building a Dashboard for Performance that Your Board Wants to See pg 7

Lather Up Curiosity, Rinse, Repeat! pg 10

Published by

www.associationsnorth.com

CHARITY pg 5

The Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association Raises Thousands for Make-a-Wish® Using a Famous Custom Chopper

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Focus North is published 10 times a year by Associations North, 1970 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 100, Roseville, MN 55113.

Phone: 651.647.6388 Fax: 651.647.6416 Website: www.associationsnorth.com Email: info@associationsnorth.com The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of Associations North.

Editorial contributors in any area of association management are welcome. Articles accepted for publication are subject to editing by Associations North.

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Advertising is accepted on a space availability basis.

Contact angela@associationsnorth.com or call 651-647-6388 for further advertising information.

Staff Angela Kisskeys, Co-Director VP of Operations & Communications Sarah Ruzek, Co-Director VP of Finance & Education

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CONTENTS October / November 2018

Amanda Aldrich Events Manager

FEATURES

Chris Villeneuve Membership & Office Manager

DEPARTMENTS

Chopper for Leaders: 5 Custom 7 Advancing Charity Fuel For Forward-

Mission

The Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association Raises Thousands for Make-a-Wish® Using a Famous Custom Chopper

To advance and serve the association management profession in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Vision

Associations North, our members and their associations will thrive and grow.

8 Advancing Engagement +

Diversity & Inclusion

Building a Dashboard for Performance that Your Board Wants to See

+ Events: 10 Meetings In The Details Advancing

Recruitment: Moving Membership

In principle and in practice, Associations North values and seeks diversity and inclusiveness within the association management industry. Associations North advocates for and promotes involvement, innovation, and expanded access to leadership opportunities that maximize engagement across underrepresented groups in the Associations North membership.

Thinking

3 Revenue Generating Strategies for Your Association

Lather Up Curiosity, Rinse, Repeat!

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Moving Forward Together

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The Association Life

14 Conversations 15 Calendar of Events 16 Brain Power 18 Signature Event 19 The North Experience 20 Et Cetera 21 Spotlight

Advancing 11 Advancing Communications: 12 The Essentials: Stay Connected

Invaluable Insights

Instagram Stories: Friend or Foe?

Annual Governance, Management & Disclosure Checkup

Board of Directors What would your group of friends say is “so-you?”

Mark Salter, CAE, ABC (Chair) CFA Society Minnesota

Karaoke

Cassie Larson, CAE (Past - Chair) That I’m the MN Nursery & Landscape Association organizer Robbie Thompson (Chair-Elect) Professional Liability Underwriting Society

Driving far for wrestling tournaments

David Siegel, CAE, IOM (Secretary / Treasurer) Builders Association of the Twin Cities

Sarah Ruzek Associations North

Angela Kisskeys Associations North

Justin Bieganek Mercury Creative Group

Clara DeRosier MN Electrical Association

Diet Mountain

Dew

Mixing cereal in a glass Making up words to songs

Airplane the movie

Over-thinking

Janel Fick Global Management Partners LLC Amanda Friedrich, CMP Visit Saint Paul

Turning words into songs

Anything to do with humor or being tired

Cody Nuernberg Northwestern Lumber Association Dave Renner, CAE Minnesota Medical Association

Using the “whine” to get what I want

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Moving Forward Together: Associations North Partners

Why we partner with Associations North…

Our partnership with Associations North gave us the opportunity to host their 63rd Annual Meeting and Golf Tournament. It was the perfect setting to showcase Mystic Lake Center, creative banquet room set-ups, culinary expertise and our attentive staff.

This event put us on the map with Greater Minnesota Associations.

Mystic Lake Center

“Associations North sets the stage for their members to participate in educational, networking and volunteer opportunities that will benefit them professionally. They are a welcoming organization that treats their members like family.”

PREMIER PARTNERS

ADVANCER SPONSOR

INNOVATOR SPONSORS

ENGAGER SPONSORS

CONNECTOR SPONSORS 3

Featured Sponsor:

Fargo-Moorhead CVB | Visit Duluth | Visit Saint Paul

The Association Life

Featured Industry: Publishing Whoever you are, whatever you do, there is an association working on your behalf.

MN Newspaper Association The Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) is the voluntary trade association of all general-interest newspapers in the State of Minnesota, acting on behalf of the newspaper press of the state, representing its members in the legislature and in court, managing local/regional/ national newspaper advertising placement, operating a press release service, and working to enhance the quality of the state’s newspapers.

MN Magazine & Publishing Association The MN Magazine & Publishing Association (MMPA) exists to foster a strong media and publishing community through networking, education and recognition of excellence.

Rooted in integrity, leadership, excellence and service.

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Custom Chopper for Charity The Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association Raises Thousands for Make-a-Wish® Using a Famous Custom Chopper

When the average person thinks of an independent insurance agent, a custom motorcycle doesn’t usually come to mind. But that’s the connection that the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association (MIIAB) made to help promote its Trusted Choice® marketing brand while raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. It’s a collaboration that has helped its independent insurance agent members reach out to their communities and support a respectable charity to the tune of thousands of dollars each year.

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The Trusted Choice® Custom Chopper program started in 2012, when the MIIAB’s national organization, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) commissioned a chopper (a motorcycle with high handlebars and an extended front wheel fork) to be built in partnership with the Discovery Channel show American Chopper to raise money for Make-A-Wish®. The initiative featured a Make-A-Wish® child, whose wish was to meet American Chopper star, Paul Teutul, Sr. After the chopper was built by Teutul and others at his business, Orange County Choppers, in New York, it was unveiled on an episode of the TV show. The child was able to meet Teutul, check out the bike, and tell his story to the crowd of supporters. Then the IIABA took the chopper on a year-long tour around the country, raising money for Make-A-Wish® and highlighting the benefits of the Trusted Choice® brand. When the chopper went up for auction, the MIIAB purchased it and has been showcasing it at member events around Minnesota ever since.

“We offer the chopper to all our independent insurance agents around the state,” said Amy Rau, the MIIAB’s Director of Education & Events and self-described “chopper keeper.” “From Thief River Falls to Rochester, it’s a great member benefit that gives them recognition and awareness, as well as supporting Make-A-Wish® or their own charities.”

“Through the Trusted Choice® Custom Chopper, the MIIAB has been able to raise approximately $75,000 for Make-A-Wish®.”

With a trailer and hauling vehicle of its own, the chopper has been the main attraction at conventions, celebrations, golf outings, Classic Car Days, the Walk for Wishes®, and the annual Make-A-Wish® ball. Through the Trusted Choice® Custom Chopper, the MIIAB has been able to raise approximately $75,000 for Make-A-Wish® since it acquired the chopper.

As part of the Trusted Choice® brand, independent insurance agents can show consumers the benefits they offer: extensive resources, multiple markets, competitive pricing, and local accessibility with a real member of their community. Since marketing can be a challenge for independent insurance agents, Trusted Choice® provides a national, cohesive brand that helps agents connect with the consumers looking for their services. Trusted Choice® offers online referrals so agents can meet consumers

when they are shopping around for insurance coverage.

The MIIAB also uses the Trusted Choice® Custom Chopper as its own membership initiative.

“We took the chopper to TCF Bank Stadium as part of an industry recognition initiative,” Rau said. “There were Make-A-Wish® children down on the field along with the chopper, helping connect the story of Make-A-Wish®, Independent Agents, and the Trusted Choice® brand.”

Surpassing its goal of raising between $8,000-10,000 for Make-A-Wish® each year, the MIIAB crafts its marketing efforts around the Trusted Choice® Custom Chopper program.

All of MIIAB’s members are independent insurance agents throughout Minnesota, along with partners and vendors like AAA, Western National, Safelite, and West Bend, to name a few. They currently total about 6,000 individual members and 450 agencies that provide a wide variety of insurance products.

In addition to its marketing and charitable work through Trusted Choice® and the Custom Chopper program, the MIIAB helps its members in other ways, such as lobbying, networking, events, sponsorship opportunities, and an Emerging Leaders program. In Minnesota, it maintains relationships with the offices of the Governor and Attorney General, as well as the Department of Commerce.

Through MIIAB and IIABA, independent insurance agents have advocates in both St. Paul and Washington, DC. The MIIAB is also the largest provider of continuing education to its members and the insurance community, so they can maintain their licenses. With over 100 years of experience representing independent insurance agents, they are well-respected and a trusted voice in the industry.

“We strive to provide that connection between our member agents and other related markets and companies,” Rau explained.

Learn more about the MIIAB by visiting www.miia.org.

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Advancing Leaders: Fuel for Forward-Thinking

Building a Dashboard for Performance that Your Board Wants to See Bill Pawlucy, MPA, CAE, IOM, Association Options “Directors should regularly ask at the board table, ‘How will we measure success on this project or event?’ By measuring progress there is accountability, continuous monitoring, and a way to sunset the program if it proves unsuccessful,” says Bob Harris, CAE. Here are some performance measures that you might want to consider to measure success, to make real-time decisions around your programs: Utilization rates for programs, benefits and services How many members and nonmembers are utilizing your programs, products and services?

This is essential in making course corrections to increase utilization over time.

Membership trends year-over-year These are very important measures, as membership is a key driver in consumption of your organization’s programs. The following are some measures to review regularly: • Retention • New members • Total net membership • % of total market captured Financial trends Fiscal responsibility is a core duty of the board of directors. Knowing the health of the organization is essential in good decision-making.

The following are some measures to understand as they relate to the financial health of your organization:

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• Revenue against budget • Expense against budget • Net assets against budget • Net assets year over year • Program revenue as a % of revenue Reserves % year-over-year The best practice is to maintain at least 50 percent of operating expenses in reserves. Tracking this maintains a focus on how reserves are growing and being utilized. You can compare spikes in reserves to major events and activities.

Convention trends year-over-year Conventions, conferences, large meetings and other events contribute a large share of revenue to most organizations. The following are some key areas of focus: • Registration numbers • Sponsorship dollars • % of members attending • Expense ratio • Cost per attendee • Overall satisfaction • Engagement • Convention trends YTD compared to prior YTD (Monthly registration snapshot) New programs tracked from a financial perspective New programs within your organization should not be treated like your established programs. They consume more time, energy and dollars at the outset. If due diligence was conducted and performance measures are being met, then your organization should feed this program

but also understand when it might be time to cut the losses. Utilize the following: • 3-year pro forma — Map out the projections for this program over three years including when it will make a profit. Monitor and make corrections.

• Return on investment — ROI is important in that you need to know when your program will start providing a return on investment.

• Return on mission — ROM is something we have been diving deeper into with nonprofit organization. Asking and assessing the program’s ROM is just as important as understanding its ROI. • Project plan — Develop an overall project plan outlining key milestones, deliverables and accountabilities.

The steps Developing a list of performance measures is the first step in the process of performance excellence and the most important one. Tracking and utilizing the performance measures on a regular basis is the next step.

The ultimate step is utilizing this data to make real-time changes to your programs, including sunsetting them.

The trap Be careful of the trap to track everything as you will spend more time tracking programs than driving value to your programs. Make strategic decisions around what performance measures will help your organization make the best strategic decisions.

Also, if you can’t assign a performance measure to a program, then you must ask, “Why are we doing this?”

As Albert Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

If we don’t measure, then we are allowing our programs to do the same thing over and over again without course correction. Start the process of developing performance measures today for a strong future.

Advancing Engagement + Recruitment: Moving Membership

3 Revenue Generating Strategies for Your Association Blake Finger, Ewald Consulting

Associations rely heavily on membership dues as their main source of revenue. And rightly so, since associations laud themselves as “member-based” organizations.

According to an article published in Association’s Now, on average roughly 45% of an association’s revenue comes directly from membership dues. However, with changing perspectives on the value of the membership model and greater competition in the marketplace, associations are no longer relying solely on membership revenue to fund their operations. Having a diversified set of revenue channels is important for your association’s growth and ability to provide value to your industry.

While membership will continue to be a major income source for associations, it is important to focus on additional income generating opportunities. Here are three to consider: 1. Advertising offers a high-margin avenue for an association to generate revenue and allows companies the opportunity to build brand awareness and remain front-of-mind with their target audience – your members.

If an association decides to take an advertising approach to generating new revenue, it’s important to note that companies want to see analytical data on their advertising campaigns. This makes digital ad options a great way to provide ROI to your advertisers.

Advertising can come in many different forms, depending on what your association offers. Review your current publications and website layout to see if there are opportunities for companies in your industry to place ads.

2. Event Sponsorships and Exhibit Booths are an effective way to increase your association’s revenue. Plus, they provide companies an opportunity to better interact with attendees and initiate networking. If your association currently offers these opportunities, try brainstorming additional creative ideas or survey your current sponsors for ways to enhance their exposure.

“Roughly 45% of an association’s revenue comes directly from membership dues.

Having a diversified set of revenue channels is important for your association’s growth and ability to provide value to your industry.”

If your association does not offer sponsor or exhibitor opportunities at your events, consider implementing them at your next event. You may be surprised at the level of interest and support that is out there.

3. Membership Campaigns to both current and potential members are crucial for growing and maintaining your association’s budget. As stated earlier, member-based organizations are largely supported by the dues payments of valued members. Stay in touch with your current membership base often and make sure they’re taking advantage of all the resources your association has to offer.

This consistent communication will help with the decision making process when the time comes for them to renew.

During new member campaigns, communicate the value and benefits that existing members have found associated with a membership. Member-only resources, exclusive access, and testimonials are great ways to articulate clear value to new and prospective members. Both campaigns require consistent follow-up, and if done correctly, will yield higher membership revenue for your association.

In volatile market conditions it is important to have strong and diverse revenue streams. Strengthening membership value and retention/recruitment campaigns – combined with the development of innovative non-dues revenue opportunities – fosters a more sustainable financial picture for your association.

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Advancing Meetings + Events: In The Details

Lather Up Curiosity, Rinse, Repeat!

Children are curious creatures. They explore, question and wonder, often through play. In this context, they learn.

We are naturally inclined to learn new things; thus reaping curiosity’s benefits. From the moment we are born until we die, learning is hardwired into our brains. As adults, our challenge is to embrace curiosity instead of viewing it as a childish behavior that should be restrained and suppressed.

The Curiosity Cycle As we grow from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, one thing remains true: if we stay curious, we can become lifelong learners. We continue to explore and discover.

When we are curious about something new, we want to explore it.

It’s through that exploration that we discover.

Our discoveries result in pleasure and satisfaction. Then we want to share our discovery. Sharing those discoveries with others creates more internal gratification.

Those feelings of fulfillment lead us to repeat our curious actions of discovery, exploration and sharing.

Repeating those specific behaviors can lead us to mastery of knowledge.

That mastery and understanding leads us to learning new skills.

Repeating our curious behaviors, our mastery of new knowledge and learning new skills leads to boosted confidence. That confidence boost

leads us to more sharing with others.

Our mastery then leads to amplified confidence which increases our sense of safety and security. Those feelings of safety result in more exploration.

Through curiosity, play, discovery, exploration and pleasure we extend our ability to be resilient. You see curiosity doesn’t always kill!

Being curious can set in motion a string of benefits. Play and pleasure are essential for our personal development and enlarging our capacity for resiliency. Curiosity is learning’s brain fuel.

So lather up curiosity, rinse, and repeat.

Your Brain Reflects The World You Grew Up In For too many of us, curiosity fades.

It flickers and eventually disappears.

We avoid it and suppress its natural instincts based on our past experience.

Our potential—emotional, social and cognitive—is expressed through the quantity and quality of our experiences says Perry. Our brains are a mirror of our past experiences.

When our experiences teach us to be less-curious, we stifle our growth and quash our potential.

Three Things That Hamper Curiosity Dr. Perry identifies three things that create constrained curiosity.

1. Fear Fear is a curiosity killer. When

change, chaos, the unfamiliar and the unknown frighten us, it slays curiosity.

Our fear and anxiety feeds our need for safe, secure, familiarity. We cocoon in our comfort zone. We are unwilling to explore new things or step out and discover. Fear crushes our curiosity.

2. Disapproval Don’t touch that. Don’t look here.

Don’t do that. Don’t ask questions.

Don’t act like that. Don’t waste my time. Don’t take it personal. Don’t!

Don’t! Don’t! You need to listen. You need to stop. You need to….

As adults, our challenge is to embrace curiosity instead of viewing it as a childish behavior that should be restrained and suppressed.

Don’t and you need to statements are reprimands, commands, and orders.

They are directions highlighting another person’s disapproval. We sense and respond to others fears, biases and negativity. We want to belong so we conform to their beliefs. Their disapproval crushes our curiosity.

3. Absence The absence of a safe, caring and nurturing environment creates a curiosity vacuum. Without support from others or a culture that encourages discovery and exploration, we fear failure. Our capacity to learn diminishes. Consequently, we don’t share our curious findings with others.

Accordingly we don’t receive pleasure, gratification and reinforcement from the cycle of curiosity.

Jeff Hurt, Executive Vice President, Education and Engagement, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting Learn more at: https://velvetchainsaw.com or follow Jeff on Twitter: @JeffHurt.

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Advancing Communications: Stay Connected

Instagram Stories: Friend or Foe? Amy Thompson Let’s get the question that some might be thinking out of the way: What are Instagram Stories? The short answer is that it’s Instagram’s version of SnapChat and follows the same premise. Users upload “Stories” or 15 second videos to their Instagram profile. The videos are gone from followers’ eyes within 24 hours.

A lot of people are switching from SnapChat to Instagram Stories. Why? As a sole Instagram Stories user, it’s been so much easier than SnapChat because everything is in one place now. Mostly you follow the same people on both platforms, so this way it’s cutting SnapChat out and moving it all into one, easy app. Instagram Stories connects you to friends and followers you already have.

They’re the first thing you see when you open the app, the round images at the top of the screen. Don’t forget that you can mute a story you don’t want to see—I have about 75% muted--so you’re not overwhelmed!

Personally, Instagram Stories has helped me reconnect with people that follow me on Instagram, but that I haven’t talked to in years. Followers can easily direct message and reply to one of your Instagram Stories.

It’s a real time conversation and so much easier to share personal snippets of your life. Even though your Instagram Stories are only available to your followers for 24 hours, all videos are stored privately in your profile.

“Fast Instagram Facts: 1 billion people use Instagram. There are 400 million Stories a day. 72% of Instagram users have bought a product they saw on Instagram.”

My most favorite feature of Instagram Stories is the ability to share a post to your stories. For instance, if your best friend is trying to raise money for charity, you can share their Instagram post to your Stories for your followers to see.

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We can’t forget highlights! Another admired feature of mine. You can essentially add folders to your Instagram profile, also known as highlights, and save videos there. So, say you review movies as a hobby, and you record a couple Instagram Stories to share as your review. You can then create a “movie reviews” highlight and save every single Instagram Story video review under that highlight so it’s accessible to your followers at any time.

Additionally, Instagram Stories text options are super easy to use and customizable, along with adding GIFs to your photo or video and tagging friends. You can also easily see who and how many people have viewed your Story. There’s even an option to search Spotify within the app and share a song you’re loving now!

Engagement is the name of the game with Instagram Stories; there’s a voting, polling and question features.

I favor the question feature because users can submit questions to those who solicit. The voting feature is great if you have a simple yes or no question like “do you like these sunglasses?” with a picture of you wearing sunglasses in a store to help you decide if you should purchase. You can also use hashtags and view stories from others that have the same hashtag you’re interested in!

Fast Instagram Facts: 1 billion people use Instagram. There are 400 million Stories a day. Selena Gomez is the most followed Instagram account with 143 million followers.

72% of Instagram users have bought a product they saw on Instagram.

There are plenty of design tools and resources to create aesthetically pleasing Instagram Stories such as Canva, Flry or Storeo. Canva is great for creating graphically designed images. Flyr is perfect for jazzing up the video you already have with text or graphics and Storeo slices up longer videos and makes them into 15 second increments without losing the essence of the longer video.

It’s no secret that Instagram ripped off Snapchat, but it goes beyond that. They took the SnapChat model AND made it better. For users and marketers, it’s a much better platform with more bang for your buck.

Advancing The Essentials: Invaluable Insights

Annual Governance, Management & Disclosure Checkup Linda M. Nelson, CPA, Olsen Thielen CPAs, Ltd. The Federal Form 990 is an association’s annual report to its members, the IRS, and the public, and is also an opportunity for an association to do an annual checkup on its governance and management, and demonstrate transparency to its 990 readers.

The IRS released the revised Form 990 ten years ago – yes, it has been 10 years! At that time, and continuing today, the IRS goals with Form 990 include greater accountability and transparency of tax-exempt organizations. Initially, organizations, their leaders and tax advisors were concerned that the governance and management section of the revised return was too extensive and implied that many of the best practices outlined within the questions were mandatory, which was not correct then or now.

Let’s look at the best practices addressed in Part VI of Form 990, and consider how your organization is being governed.

Governing document review: Has your organization reviewed its governing documents and updated obsolete provisions or changes in operations in the last year? After all, you want your organization’s operations to be in line with your governing documents and vice versa.

Contemporaneous documentation of meetings: Minutes of board and committee meetings document discussions and decisions made, providing a history of where your organization has been, and your

vision for the future. Isn’t it great when you can look back in your minutes and say, “So that’s why we did this!”?

Conflict of interest policy: Not only does Form 990 ask if your organization has a conflict of interest policy, but also how you “regularly and consistently monitor and enforce compliance with the policy.” A detailed conflict of interest policy that outlines what a conflict is and how conflicts are addressed provides a roadmap to your organization that you will use when a conflict arises.

Many organizations require that board members and organization employees read the policy annually and sign an affidavit that the board member or employee will disclose any conflicts in a timely manner so they can be addressed. Many organizations also start each meeting by asking if any member has a conflict to disclose.

Board independence: A well-balanced board of directors represents the diversity of an organization’s members, and board members should generally be independent of one another. This inquiry on the 990 is an opportunity to review your board composition.

Whistleblower and document retention policies: Presence of a whistleblower policy within your organization demonstrates the organization’s concern in protecting its employees, board and members from harassment and provides a safe way for someone to report a concern

relating to the organization. Having a document retention policy makes good business sense, and provides written guidelines for staff. You don’t want to keep those old checks and invoices forever.

Executive compensation policy: Reporting an organization’s processes in determining compensation and benefits on Form 990 demonstrates that the organization is doing its due diligence in making these decisions, using comparability surveys, review of similar organizations’ 990s, hiring an independent compensation consultant and other relevant means.

You also need to document your process and decision in your minutes!

Review of Form 990 before filing: The question on the Form 990 has a simple yes or no answer: “Has the organization provided a complete copy of this Form 990 to all members of its governing body before filing the form?” While a “yes” answer is not mandatory, it is important for the narrative in the return describe the review process, which should demonstrate that the organization is thoroughly reviewing its 990 every year, internally by staff or by a finance committee and/or the full board.

The IRS’ quest for better governance, management and transparency in tax-exempt organizations through Form 990 has served associations well. Doing an annual checkup of your organization’s governance and management along with review of your Form 990 is certainly a best practice.

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Conversations: In Focus

Different view points. Different solutions.

What are you thankful for personally and/or professionally?

I am thankful for a wonderful staff to work with and for being able to work at a job that I love. Life is short and we spend so much time at our jobs, that I think it’s very important to find a job that you enjoy coming to each and every day.

Diane Brower HR Director MN Banking Association

I am very blessed to have an amazing wife and a healthy, beautiful, nearly five-month-old daughter. Professionally, I am thankful to have a flexible workplace that values professional development and a rock star colleague on my team.

Tom Sedlacek Marketing & Communications GEAPS

Both personally and professionally I’m thankful for my squad! I have people in my life on both fronts that fill the roles of coach/mentor in different facets that challenge me, collaborate, offer support and encourage. The journey would not be the same without these awesome people in my life.

Nicole Coon Meeting & Event Manager BATC- Housing First Minnesota

Submit your answer & headshot to: angela@associationsnorth.com.

Next issue: What is one valuable thing you learned this past year?

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For more details and to register, visit: www.associationsnorth.com/calendar

Calendar Of Events: Mark It + Make It

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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER

Meeting Planners Symposium Graduate Minneapolis 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Discover unique venues and unique experiences. Learn how to host your own hackathon, get first-hand experience “hacking” a complex problem and uncover fresh, unconventional approaches to do your job better. Plus, surprise sessions and more!

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER

Webinar: Conversations That Count - Creating a Culture of Coaching in Your Organization At Your Desk 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Every volunteer and staff member carries a unique set of gifts, knowledge, skills and experiences that accompany their personal passions. What can a leader to do engage and sustain a valuable workforce?

THURSDAY NOVEMBER

Webinar: Effective Processes Impact Member Experiences At Your Desk 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Let’s explore how process relates to delivering value to the member by defining; its importance to achieving an outcome, the interrelation between your organization’s eco-system and member experience, and how it can position your organization to stay relevant.

Upcoming Events November

December

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Meeting Planners Symposium

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Webinar: Conversation, Connection & Collaboration:

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Webinar: Conversations That Count - Creating a Culture of

Attracting & Leveraging Relationships with Vision

Coaching in Your Organization

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Jingle & Mingle Celebration with Silent Auction

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CEO Meetup Group

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Webinar: Balance is Bull$#%&: Defining Priorities to Find

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Membership Meetup Group

Peace of Mind

27

Advocacy Meetup Group

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Webinar: Effective Processes Impact Member Experiences

January

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CAE Informational Meeting

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ANDI Kickoff

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CEO Mastermind Groups

2019 is going to be an exciting year!

If you are interested in serving on a planning committee and creating memorable events, 15

email info@associationsnorth.com.

Brain Power

Insider Tips for Planning a Successful Work Retreat Sometimes work groups need a little variety in their dayto-day office setting and can benefit from a unique place to connect. Whether for strategic planning, budgeting or getting in quality team-building time, here are some insider tips for planning retreats that are productive and rewarding.

Tip #1 – Create an agenda It’s important to be mindful of what the group is trying to achieve during the retreat before you even book a space – it helps determine everything from accommodations, lighting, food and activity needs.

Tip #2 – Decide what type of retreat is the right fit for your group With your agenda and goals in mind, research venue and activity options. For example, do your goals call for a quiet, cozy space where your group can focus? In Minneapolis Northwest, Earle Brown Heritage Center is the perfect space with its comfy parlor, fireplace, and breakout rooms with views of the beautiful courtyard. Is an outdoor golf outing

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more your speed? Think about teeing off at one of two Championship courses: Rush Creek Golf Club or Edinburgh USA. Tip #3 – Book your space early Get your space reserved as far as a year out, if possible. The sooner you book, the better.

Tip #4 – Work with event staff to finalize details There are great benefits to working with a Visitors’ Bureau – we can help ease the planning process, connect you to the perfect location and sometimes help offset costs. If you contact the Minneapolis Northwest business development team, we’ll work with you to determine all the logistics to make your event a success.

Tip #5 – Enjoy and relax If all your planning went well, this should be the easiest step in the process! Remember to make note of any changes or new ideas you’d like to put into action when the next company retreat rolls around.

For more tips on planning a successful retreat, visit the Minneapolis Northwest Tourism blog at: minneapolisnorthwest.com/blog

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The North Experience: Leadership Conference

Over 120 members, thought leaders and industry experts met at Grand View Lodge for this year’s Leadership Conference.

Highlights included keynote speaker Dave Rendall, Conversation & Connection Lounge, Cabin Crawl, breakout sessions that informed and inspired, donating over $600 to United Way of Crow Wing and Cass Counties and this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Award Winners!

Education, team-building and making connections, all while having FUN!

To see more photos, visit the Associations North Flickr page: www.flickr.c om/photos/ associations live

SPONSORS

Chase on the Lake | Elan Speakers Agency | G.L. Berg Entertainment | Mystic Lake Center

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Hacking [hak’ing] verb fresh, unconventional approaches that replace prevailing wisdom.

MEETING PLANNERS SYMPOSIUM

11.7.18

Unique Venues.

Unique Experiences.

Wednesday, November 7 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Graduate Minneapolis & McNamara Alumni Center associationsnorth.com/meetingplanners Walk away with: • Hackathon how-to, experience and design playbook • Opportunity to win cash - $500 for winning team • Alternative learning formats that shake up the status quo • Tools to reduce stress and get more “good things” done • Creative solutions for event planning, marketing and more!

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The act of solving complex problems in unorthodox ways. Discovering

Et Cetera: Association Extras

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS! Nicole Atkinson

Allegra Downtown St. Paul - Image 360

Nichol Beckstrand

MN Multi Housing Association

Chris Blasius

River Falls Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

Katie Brenna

League of MN Cities

John Cunningham

Aggregate and Ready Mix Assn of MN

Casey Daubert

Association of Residential Resources in MN

Deanna Ekholm

American Academy of Neurology

Amanda Farag

MN Society of Certified Public Accountants

Sara Grafstrom

Association of Residential Resources in MN

Drew Henry

Association of Residential Resources in MN

Sarah Korbel

Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Dana Morlock

Heartwood Conference Center

Kaitlyn Nolte

MN Society of Certified Public Accountants

Alicia Pack

MN Society of Certified Public Accountants

Amy Rabon

Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®

Katie (Hulett) Reed

U. S. Bank Stadium

Brian Ritchie

TriNet

Jessica Roemer

MN Society of Certified Public Accountants

Patrick Talty

U. S. Bank Stadium

Amanda Waters

MN Society of Certified Public Accountants

Ashley Wear

Association of Residential Resources in MN

CEO STRATEGY CIRCLES START JANUARY 2019!

A 3-part series designed with the chief staff executives in mind. This valuable cohort opportunity will provide protected time, practical tools, valuable concepts and personal coaching to help participants identify the steps necessary to create a vibrant, healthy and relevant association. Facilitated by Mary Byers, co-author of Race for Relevance, Road to Relevance and highly sought-after association speaker. >> Register & Details: associationsnorth.com/calendar

SILENT AUCTION & SOCK DONATIONS NEEDED First, register for Associations North Mingle & Jingle Celebration with Silent Auction on December 7! Then, start thinking of that fabulous donation. Associations North is seeking 100+ hot or trending items for the silent auction (see list of trending items at associationsnorth.com/celebration). We are also hosting a sock drive benefiting St. Stephen’s Human Services. Please consider a sock donation. Your support helps raise funds for Associations North education and scholarships. >> Register & Details: associationsnorth.com/celebration.

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Spotlight: Member In Motion

Catherine Rydell, CAE

Get to know industry movers and shakers.

Executive Director & CEO American Academy of Neurology

My favorite type of cuisine is...

My personality in one word:

Mexican.

Zealous.

What keeps me awake at night...

My dream car...

Thinking how I could have done something better.

Any convertible.

Words to live by...

I recharge by...

Choose joy.

Heading to the lake.

MAC or PC? MAC - it’s more intuitive.

What store would you like to max out your credit card?

One dish I will never eat...

TJMaxx/Home Goods—I love a bargain.

LIVER!

If you knew me, you’d know...

Where would you choose to live: by the ocean, in the mountains or in the woods?

By the ocean—I breathe differently by the water.

I adore my grandchildren.

First person I saw live in concert...

Simon and Garfunkel.

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One word to describe yourself as a child...

Tomboy.

Let’s mingle, jingle and help support Associations North scholarship and educational programs!

Friday, December 7 InterContinental Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Register & Donate a Silent Auction Item: associationsnorth.com/celebration

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MORE CHOICES TO STAY. MORE SPACE FOR ASSOCIATION GROUPS.

With over 42 hotels, six new properties, and 9,200 guest rooms, Bloomington is home to the largest concentration of hotels in Minnesota. That means there’s always room for groups to stay, meet and work. And the Mall of America® serves as a dynamic backdrop and instant entertainment complex for evening outings that everyone can enjoy.

Explore Bloomington and book your association group at tcook@bloomingtonmn.org