September 2016

FOCUS

September 2016

NORTH

BEING A KID AT A

FUNERAL pg5

When Directors Go Rogue pg 7

How funeral directors are helping children process death

You Don’t Sell Membership, You Solve Problems pg 8

Published by

www.associationsnorth.com

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

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CONTENTS September 2016 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

a Kid at a 5 Being Funeral

Leaders: 7 Advancing Fuel For ForwardThinking

How funeral directors are helping children process death

When directors go rogue

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Moving Forward Together

4

The Association Life

14 Conversations 15 Calendar of Events

8 Advancing Engagement +

Recruitment: Moving Membership You don’t sell membership, you solve problems

10 Advancing Meetings + Events:

16 Brain Power 18 Signature Event

In The Details

19 The North Experience

5 reasons you shouldn’t tweet during anyone’s presentation, even if they ask you to

20 Et Cetera 21 Spotlight

Advancing 11 Advancing Communications: 12 The Essentials: Stay Connected

Invaluable Insights

Cheap ways to market your event like a pro

New lease accounting standards

What’s your most recent Google search?

Twins Tickets.

Jenny Prosser (Past -Chair) Vice President of Conferences and Sales LeadingAge Minnesota

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Someone to fix a portable dehumidifier.

Dave Radziej, CAE (Chair-Elect) President Printing Industry Midwest Cassie Larson, CAE (Secretary/Treasurer) Executive Director MN Nursery & Landscape Association

How do I make this boat motor start.

The day and date of Arbor Day 2016.

Kathy Johnson, CAE (President) President Associations North

USPTO. Trademark Electronic Search System.

Cody Nuernberg Executive Director Northwestern Lumber Association

Carmelo Cinqueonce, MBA Executive Director MN Dental Association

Dave Renner, CAE Director, State & Federal Legislation Minnesota Medical Association

John Francis President The Harrington Company

Mark Salter, CAE, ABC Executive Director CFA Society Minnesota

Tara Loftus Account Manager Adapta Interactive

Robbie Thompson Executive Director Professional Liability Underwriters Society

Too many to count.

What does the ~ symbol mean.

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Moving Forward Together: Associations North Partners

Featured Sponsor: Mercury Creative Group Why I partner with Associations North‌ Because it gives me the opportunity to use my creative talents to help make a difference with Associations North and the organizations they serve.

What is your most memorable moment helping an Associations North member and why is it special to you?

Working with the staff and branding committee on the brand refresh for Associations North. It was an honor to be trusted to use our talent and craft to drive this change and define Associations North true brand essence. Icing on the cake was then designing the new logo and brand communications to foster deeper connections to our members.

Justin Bieganek

PREMIER PARTNERS

GOLD SPONSORS

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The owers K A H L E R G R A N D H O T E L

BRONZE SPONSORS Global Experience Specialists | Roseville Visitors Association | Shooting Star Casino | Visit Duluth | Visit Saint Paul

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The Association Life

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

Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents’ Association

American Snowsport Education Association

Advances the art and science of Golf Course

Promotes innovative and current information

Management and promotes the welfare of the

about ski and snowboard instruction and the

Superintendent and the profession.

overall impact of the ski and snow industry.

Minnesota State Taekwondo Association

Minnesota Recreation & Park Association

Increase awareness and participation of Taekwondo and its diverse benefit in the United States.

Works to improve the quality of life in MN by enhancing the profession of parks, open space recreations and leisure services.

Saint Paul Parks Conservancy MN Employee Rec & Svs Council Educational and networking opportunities for those

Helps St. Paul achieve their goals of promoting active lifestyles, vibrant places and a vital environment.

involved in administration/ management of employee services and recreation.

Minnesota Swimming Inc. Develop resources to strengthen the swimming community and promote the sport through various opportunities.

US Tennis Association/ Northern Section Promotes tennis to all ages and abilities.

MN Youth Soccer Association The governing body for all of youth soccer in the state of Minnesota.

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Being a Kid at a Funeral How Minnesota’s funeral directors help children process death

If we are lucky, we attend very few funerals in our lifetime and plan even fewer. Funeral directors, on the other hand, make a career out of it.

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The Minnesota Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) is an organization of people dedicated to support funeral directors across the state. Whether it is through their annual convention; connecting with hospice and senior living associations; or starting an oncall, funeral only florist shop, MFDA has long focused on supporting an invaluable service.

One of the most prevalent challenges facing funeral directors is the discomfort surrounding this work. People tend to avoid discussing funeral plans with their loved ones, despite its importance. However, there are some people who are never prepared for the funerals they have to attend.

Miki Tufto, the Communications and Meeting Director for MFDA shares, “In 2001, the funeral directors were at a convention asking, ‘How do we do aftercare for families that we’ve worked with and support them?’ And the discussion started about doing a grief camp for children.”

After conducting research, these directors contacted Camp Amanda in Iowa, which had a very established weekend program for kids. After extensive research the MFC board joined Iowa’s Amanda the Panda program.

In 2003 the first Camp Amanda-Minnesota began with an all volunteer staff and nearly fifty children and teens attending. Eventually, MFC parted with Amanda the Panda and became Children’s Grief Connection (CGC), developing its own camp program called Hearts of Hope. The Family Grief Connection program was developed and expanded further to meet the needs of the adult family members of campers and teens. In 2009, CGC’s Community Grief Connection program was established to help grieving communities, especially schools, that had experienced a tragedy.

We’ve done more than 50 camps and served over 4,000 grieving families to date.”

Twice a year, children and their guardians gather at Children’s Grief Connection for a weekend camp. With the mission of providing hope and healing to grieving families, Children’s Grief Connection hosts a weekend of sharing and healing for grieving children and their families. The counselors at this “camp”? Well, they are the funeral directors themselves. These volunteers saw a need in

Last December, the MFDA Board, as part of their meeting, went to Build-a-Bear Workshop in the Mall of America. All board members, along with their spouses and MFDA staff, built a bear that was donated to Children’s Grieft Connection, Hearts of Hope Family Grief Camp. All child campers get to pick out a bear to keep when they arrive at camp. the families they served, and their passion drove them to not only create a new service for children, but also to volunteer.

At camp, children learn how to process their grief in healthy ways, using tools like journaling, and writing notes to their “Trusty Doll” so they can sleep better. Kids also got to “Ask The Doctor” and “Ask The Funeral Director” all the questions that kids want to ask, but have never had the tools to do so. One of the most helpful benefits of the camp is connecting grieving children with one another.

“You just sit back and make sure they get to meals and go to bed. They get so much just from talking to each other,” says Tufto.

“It was truly formed by these funeral directors. They all came together and said ‘We need to do something for these families.’ They funded it, they volunteered at it; it’s really been their baby since inception. Now, we’ve done more than 50 camps and served over 4,000 grieving families to date,” says Tufto.

MFDA recognizes not only that these camps are important for the children, but also for the funeral directors who so deeply wanted to help them. “Our members are very compassionate people, and their goal is to help families on many levels,” says Darlyne Erickson, Executive Director of MFDA. “Funeral directors are business people, social workers, and event planners. They do so many things, and for them to go ahead and do this on top of this is so amazing. We’re proud of them.” This is why MFDA helps make these camps possible through financial support, fundraising, awareness campaigns, and even through volunteering.

Have a story to tell? Help Associations North inspire others. Associations make the difference everyday! Email angela@associationsnorth.com.

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Advancing Leaders: Fuel For Forward-Thinking

When Directors Go Rogue The reputation of an organization can be tarnished by a director who acts without authority or in defiance.

A person who openly criticizes the leadership or complicates staff relations is a perfect example.

Most boards simply tolerate the behavior — few remove or censure a volunteer. Because boards are composed of peers, cordiality often supersedes conflict resolution. Further, there is seldom a consequence for bad behavior set in the bylaws or policies.

A discussion of the problem, remedies and a private meeting with the offender is the frequent process.

The bylaws may call for the resignation of a director missing two or more unexcused meetings, but even this is overlooked for fear that a replacement will not be found or an awkward situation will occur.

Grievances When a director accepts a board seat, he/she agrees to advance the mission, protect the assets and fulfill a fiduciary role, framed by the duties of care, loyalty and obedience.

Infractions take many forms, and they may not be problematic until there are leaks, resignations or political damage.

• Abuse of power • Disrespect for others, including staff • Divulgence of confidential information • Desire for personal gain; conflict of

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interest • Speaking without authority • Missed meetings • Ignoring commitments or assignments • Lack of leadership • Misuse of resources or position • Illegal or inappropriate behavior Remedies Good governance begins with the nominating committee communicating expectations. A thorough orientation and access to the governing documents follows. Access to legal counsel and CPA bolsters board understanding.

“In the US there are more than 1.5 million non profit organizations. The average board size is 15. That means there are 22 million persons serving in a board leadership role.”

- Bob Harris, CAE

The board should know its options when bad behavior arises. Solutions are guided by the bylaws, policies and corporate law. They range from ignoring the conduct (at the risk of harming board performance and organizational outcomes) to removal of a director.

• Ignore the problem: The directors may ignore the problem in hopes it will self-remedy or the board can work around it.

• Discussion: The board recognizes a problem and discusses an approach.

The volunteer may not have been aware of the issue. Maybe he/she would be better suited in a different volunteer role. It is the responsibility of the board, not the staff, to resolve behavioral issues.

• Vote of no confidence: Seldom do bylaws address a vote of no confidence, though it is an option. By a motion, the

Good governance begins with communicating expectations.” problem could be identified, discussed and agreement reached that confidence has been lost in an individual or committee. A vote of no confidence is largely symbolic.

• Censure: This is defined as the act of sternly reprimanding, documented in writing. Censure is generally used by governmental bodies to express severe disapproval, followed by an action such as removal.

• Resignation: The board may seek a director’s resignation because it believes the person cannot continue to serve effectively in that capacity.

Trustees of the corporation are expected to fulfill their duties. If governing documents and responsibilities are understood, there should be no problems. If bad behavior arises, it may give the board opportunity for an evaluation of its own guidelines and performance.

Wrongful actions of the board could be cause for a legal claim of defamation for injuring one’s reputation, or a case for antitrust. Be sure removal from the board does not deny access to membership benefits. Rely on legal counsel in carrying out remedies.

Bob Harris, CAE. For more information and non profit tools and templates visit www.rchce.com.

Advancing Engagement + Recruitment: Moving Membership

You Don’t Sell Membership, You Solve Problems There were four words I did not want to hear: You. Can’t. Run. Boston.

Twenty years ago, when I started to get into running I set a goal of running a marathon. I quickly checked that off my list and set a new goal. The Boston Marathon.

For many distance runners, qualifying and running the Boston marathon is a goal. An achievement that you can accomplish in your life years after many other goals are put to rest. I know I will never play tennis at Wimbledon.

I won’t hit the walk off homerun to win the World Series for the Chicago Cubs. And the closest I will ever come to see in Olympic gold is if I buy a ticket to the summer games. But there is a chance that I could qualify and run Boston.

Before we started the therapy, my physical therapist, Julie asked how I injured my leg. She asked, are you training for another race. Yes. When is the race. Umm, four weeks.

Then let’s get started and come up with a plan so that you can run Boston. Four words. You. Can. Run. Boston.

She identified the problem. My problem. She asked about my goals. My goals. She provided a solution. One designed just for me. The outcome? I finished the race.

DO NOT

make general statements about your members.

Identify their needs and provide a solution and positive outcome.

And so I signed up for one marathon after the other, chasing a qualifying time of 3 hours and 40 minutes. First, I ran the Chicago marathon in 4 hours and 17 minutes.

Then I finished the Marine Corps Marathon in 4 hours five minutes. Back to Chicago and a finishing time of 3 hours and 47 minutes. Next was San Diego, where I finished in 3 hours and 43 minutes and then finally the Disney Marathon in Orlando, Florida. When I crossed the finish line at 3 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds I realized the first part of my dream. By completing a marathon under 3 hours 40 minutes I had finally qualified for Boston.

Other than hearing a great story of how I reached one of my goals, how does this relate to associations? We are all problem solvers at the end of the day.

I had two weeks to recover and three months to train for the race. Training for Boston in Chicago is brutal. It is cold, it is windy, it is dark early in the morning and there is snow. I could run on a treadmill for 18 miles, no, that really isn’t much of an option.

It’s about your members and their individual needs.

Identify their goals. Provide solutions. Not products or services. Create positive outcomes.

Four weeks before the race, I paid the price for my ambitious goal. I injured my Iliotibial Band and quickly realized I had very little time to recover before the race.

As I was walking into the physical therapist’ office, I kept thinking about the four words I did not want to hear. You. Cant. Run. Boston.

On a daily basis, we have to identify the problem.

What problems do your members face? How can your organization specifically help them overcome them? Don’t make general statements. Prove it. Show them.

And remember, you don’t sell membership, education, resources or networking. You solve problems.

Sheri Jacobs, FASAE, CAE, President and CEO, Avenue M Group.

Sheri is also the author of The Art of Membership and Executive Editor and Author of Membership Essentials. Find out more at www.avenueMGroup.com or contact jacobs@avenuemgroup.com.

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Advancing Meetings + Events: In The Details

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Tweet During Anyone’s Presentation Even if They Ask You To I’ve been a professional keynote speaker for 8 years now, and in that time it’s become more common to tweet during presentations, mine and everyone else’s. (“More common” is sort of obvious, I guess, since it didn’t even exist when I started. It used to be when we liked what we heard we all just grunted and pounded our chairs with the palms of our hands. Those were the good old days.)

Anyway, tweeting is often viewed as a tool for engagement, to keep an audience focused on the core pieces of information they’re taking away from whatever presentation they’re listening to.

But more and more, I’m not sure that’s the case. I know there are excellent reasons to tweet during presentations, but I also believe that doing so can be far more harmful than beneficial, both to you and those around you.

If you start tweeting the first cool thing you hear, you won’t have a chance to process everything.

Here are 5 things to consider before you pull your phone out at the next presentation you sit through.

You’ll be unable to synthesize what you’re hearing – Most of the tweets that happen during presentations are carbon copies of a phrase or sentence that the presenter has just uttered.

And sometimes that’s fine. But what if – and I know this is going to sound a little crazy – but what if the presenter actually has 5 or even 11 interesting sentences all in a row?

If you start tweeting the first cool thing you hear, you won’t have a chance to process everything and put it into a context that you’ll be able to remember later.

You’ll almost certainly end up checking your email – Or sending a text to someone, or sneaking in a quick game of Angry Crush or Candy Birds or whatever’s popular right now.

Before you know it you’ll have missed 5 minutes of the presentation, and it was probably the best 5 minutes of the whole thing.

Your neighbors will think you’re not paying attention. Some of them will, at least. And then they’ll have a harder time concentrating themselves.

It’s like that really ugly dress you see in church sometimes. You want to pay attention to the sermon, but seriously, why did she wear zebra stripes with leopard-print shoes?

It’s impossible to have a coherent discussion on a Twitter feed during someone’s presentation – Although I have seen people try. But even if you somehow manage to follow

the disconnected and out-of-order thread of conversation to put together a thoughtful narrative, you’ll still be trying to do so while someone’s talking. And while all of us think we’re masters at multitasking, we really aren’t.

If you don’t believe me, try singing your favorite song the next time you write an email and see if you can do both of them without screwing up. I’ll bet $5 you can’t!

You’ll almost certainly end up checking your email or sending a text to someone.

You’re already plenty smart, and more than a little awesome – I don’t have data for this, but I think about 70% of the reason people like tweeting during someone’s presentations is because they think it makes them look smart.

That implies that you normally wouldn’t consider yourself especially smart. But you are. You’re one of the most interesting people I know, and sometimes I wake up at night in a cold sweat because I know I’ll never get to be you. You don’t need to tweet while I’m talking to convince me that you’re amazing. I already know it.

Jeff Havens is a keynote speaker and corporate trainer who addresses leadership, generational issues, and other areas of professional development through a unique blend of content and entertainment. He has been a regular guest on Fox Business News and featured in CNBC, BusinessWeek, and Bloomberg News.

To see more from Jeff Havens, JeffHavens.com.

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Advancing Communications: Stay Connected

Cheap Ways to Market Your Event Like a Pro Christina R. Green attention-grabbing and don’t require the time of reading an article. Image posts can be appreciated in seconds.

Content and conversation are the savvy, and frugal, event marketer’s best friend. Here’s how you can use social media and engagement to market your next meeting and build a buzz for little more than time.

Engage the Audience Before the Meeting One of the keys to building a strong event is to start with an engaged member community because they’ll be more likely to attend. Lay the groundwork for increased engagement long before the early-bird deadline. Reach out to your audience as more than just the association; engage them from the event perspective as well.

Create an Editorial Calendar The best way to see what you’re posting and when is through an editorial calendar. A simple editorial calendar can be created in a spreadsheet with cells for the day, time, post details, and platform (Facebook, blog, etc.)

Plug in posts for meeting deadline reminders and then schedule out other valuable content. Look for holes in your posting. What could you include that you’re not currently doing? Most audiences want a mixture of content that educates, entertains, and inspires.

$$$

Content and conversation are the best ways to market your event

Use Old Video If you have video from last year’s event, create a montage enticing people to come this year. If you don’t have video, compile several pictures from previous years and set them to (non-copyrighted) music as a slideshow. You can intersperse these images with quotes from past attendees.

You can pull them from your surveys, as long as you get permission to use them.

Look for Ways to Involve Sponsors While full-fledged advertorials will bore your audience, consider sharing content from sponsors and get them involved. They may be willing to create content for you. For instance, the sponsor of your golf tournament may offer to write about that event. Involving your sponsors keeps them engaged, gives them more visibility, and promotes a better working relationship that will continue to pay off for years.

Use Calls-to-Action As you’re producing all this content, make sure you always have a call-to-action. Engaged members are often willing to do what you ask but only if you ask it.

on a shoe-string budget.

Use Visuals One of the strongest tools you can find for cheap marketing is social media and one of the top shares on these sites is images. Share pictures of the event site or the host city, what you’re packing, or image quotes about sessions. Create an infographic of stats from last year’s event. Get creative. People love images because they are

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Implement Contests and Teasers Contests and teasers get attention. There are many ways to use them. For example, tease members with clues before the reveal of the host city. Hold a contest for naming a meet-up or use crowdsourcing to pick a meal.

Marketing your big meeting is a strategy that must continue throughout the year. Incorporate event postings into your regularly scheduled association posts. Don’t rely on your audience to think of you a few months out. Stay top of mind year round for improved retention and word-of-mouth marketing.

Christina R. Green helps associations, chambers, and entrepreneurs tell their stories with content that converts. She writes regularly for Event Manager Blog, Socious, and Frank J. Kenny. You can find her on Twitter @christinagsmith and on Facebook.

Advancing The Essentials: Invaluable Insights

The New Lease Accounting Standards What your association needs to know

Does your association lease office space, copiers, vehicles or computers?

If so, in February 2016 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update Leases and it does affect your association.

This ASU provides guidelines on lease accounting that represents the most significant change to lease accounting rules since capital and operating leases were distinguished in FASB 13 forty years-ago in 1976. This standard will be effective for most not-for-profit organizations for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (calendar year 2020).

The primary reason for the change in the standards is designed to bring the statement users the ability to identify all operating lease commitments on the Statement of Financial Position.

The primary reason for the change in standards is designed to identify all operating lease commitments on the Statement of Financial Position.”

Key provisions and highlights include: • Definition of lease - a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of an identified

asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.”

• Lease Term - All qualifying leasing arrangements with terms greater than 12 months in duration will be capitalized on the Statement of Financial Position. For all leases, the organization will need to identify the noncancellable portion of the lease term including renewal options.

• Lease classification – Leases will be separated into two types of leases with different accounting treatment (a GAAP compromise). Note that some organizations may have a mixture of both types of leases recorded on their books: 1) Finance Lease – This type of lease and related criteria is similar to current U.S. GAAP accounting for capital leases.

A corresponding right to use-asset is recorded on the asset section of the Statement of Financial Position at lease commencement date. This asset is amortized through the life of the lease term by reducing the rightto-use asset on a monthly basis and recording amortization expense on the Statement of Activities. Interest expense is accrued each month on the lease obligation using either the stated rate or the organization’s incremental borrowing rate.

2) Operating Lease – The previous operating lease arrangements

disclosed in the financial statements will now be presented on the Statement of Financial Position.

Action Items for your Organization • 2016 and 2017 - Gather and inventory all relevant lease information (contracts, term, payments, etc.) and begin identifying which leased assets will remain when the leasing standard becomes effective.

• 2017 and 2018 - Begin preparing calculations of the lease obligation liability and the “right to use” asset for each of your leasing arrangements.

Consider conducting a “before and after” simulation, whereby the organization will compare its 2016 GAAP financial statements to a hypothetical version under the new lease standards model.

With enough planning and foresight, the implementation of the new standard should be a fairly routine matter for organizations with few leasing arrangements. The information included above does not address the specific facts and circumstances of your organization’s current and future lease structure. Please contact your CPA if you have questions on this significant change.

Daniel Owens is a Principal in the Audit and Accounting Department in the St. Paul office of Olsen Thielen. Contact Daniel at 651-621-8623 or email dowens@otcpas.com.

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Event Production Equipment Rental Content Creation On-Site Support

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Conversations: In Focus

What changes or trends do you see in meetings and conferences in the next few years?

More mobile. More interactive. More innovation. There is always going to be a need to meet face to face. It’s all about relationships.

Kathy Johnson, CAE President Associations North

Jessica Miller Director of Education & Events Industrial Fabrics Association International

Angie Kufus National Account Executive Minneapolis Convention Center

Meetings and conferences are quickly evolving into strategic and innovative experiences. Planners need to build all parts of a program to create an experience that engages the audience from the point of initiation to the conclusion and beyond. Planners will strategically build the full event experience, from travel, lodging and local/area opportunities to education, networking and tradeshows, to allow for engagement of all senses and systems. Experiences will encourage innovation, inspiration and connection while leading attendees to outcomes that challenge and grow the audience. We will continuously work to acknowledge and direct how education is delivered, how programming is received and how attendees engage at, and thus return in the future.

In the meeting and conference world there are two phrases that have weaved their way into industry discussions the last couple of years; “experiential meetings” and “attendee engagement”. These phrases have transformed in many ways. For example: re-purposed lobby space; one area with live interactive engagement for the enthusiastic attendee, the other area with quiet, soothing space for the reclusive attendee to relax, rejuvenate and check email. On exhibit floors, a move from traditional 10x10 booths to more creative expression areas with lounge and demonstration activities. Not surprisingly these “experiential engagements” are blending with “digital engagement”. For meetings and conferences, planners and venues are tapping into this opportunity. Smart watches, smart bracelets and smart name badges using Radio Frequency Technology (“RFID”) or BLE Beacon technology seem to help guide the trend. Digital Technology…the trend of the future.

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Calendar Of Events: Mark It + Make It

16-18

Sunday - Tuesday OCTOBER 16-18

Leadership Conference Arrowwood Resort & Conf. Center The Leadership Conference is a two-day retreat designed to strengthen association CEO and staff effectiveness through educational programs led by industry experts and peers. You will take away new ideas to implement; proven strategies to enhance your leadership; and make connections with other association professionals and partners.

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

Wednesday NOVEMBER

Meeting Planners Symposium Hyatt Regency Minneapolis 8:00 am - 4:00 pm It’s all about experience - for you and your members! Get ideas and resources to do your job better. You’ll discover new formats, layouts, resources, speakers, quick 30-minute sessions, hub groups and more!

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FRIDAY

DECEMBER

Holiday Celebration The Commons Hotel 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Join Associations North for our annual Holiday Celebration & Silent Auction with over 150 items, Wall of Wine, entertainment and much more!

Upcoming Events September 20

Lobbying & Government Relations

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Webinar: Reading, Understanding and Presenting Financial Statements to the Board: Part 2

15

October 6

Communications Networking Group

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Webinar: Inclusion - Beyond the Law

16-18 Leadership Conference 25

Financial & Accounting Networking Group

25

Webinar: Content Marketing for Associations

November

December

8

CEO Networking Group

2

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Meeting Planners Symposium

15

Membership Networking Group

Holiday Celebration & Silent Auction

Brain Power

Proxy Tax and Dues Notice Emily Robertson, Robertson Law Office, LLC Dues paid by members of an association may be deductible by its members as a business expense under Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”).

However, the Code prohibits a deduction for amounts incurred related to: • Direct lobbying (except for local legislation); • Grassroots lobbying; • Political activities; and • Direct communications with certain covered executive branch officials in an attempt to influence their actions or positions.

Associations play a role in ensuring that taxes are paid on the nondeductible portion of dues. Section 6033(e) of the Code requires that associations do one of the following: • Provide a notice to members at the time they pay their dues that gives a reasonable estimate of the amount of

their dues that is not deductible because it is allocable to the association’s lobbying and political activities. If the estimate is insufficient, any excess expenses should be included on the next year’s notice (or the association pays a tax on that excess).

• Pay a proxy tax at the highest corporate rate on the nondeductible lobbying and political expenses (to the extent that dues were received). If this option is taken, then no portion of the dues will be nondeductible as a result of the association’s lobbying and political activities.

If an association fails to provide the notice required by 6033(e), or provides a notice for an insufficient amount, then it may be subject to the proxy tax imposed by 6033(e). Associations should review their allocation of lobbying expenses regularly with a careful eye to the definitions that apply. An association may be eligible for an exception if, for example it only conducts small amount s of lobbying ($2,000 or less of direct, in-house expenses, exclusive of overhead costs), or it demonstrates that substantially all of its dues are nondeductible by its members.

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Signature Event

November 9 Meeting Planners Symposium

Think Sideways – A Playbook for Disruptive Thinking Wednesday, November 9 | Hyatt Regency Minneapolis This one-day Symposium is about creating innovation that gets people thinking sideways, shakes up status quo mentality and generates ideas that impact the bottom line. Learn why creativity is the competitive advantage today and get the framework for unleashing your creative potential. You’ll discover new meeting formats, layouts, resources, speakers, 30-minute sessions, hub groups and more!

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2

3

4

5

1. Not your traditional seating for a meeting 2. Hub groups allowed attendees to get to know throughout the day 3. The idea wall was full of ways to bring new and revolutionary ideas to meetings 4. Teambuilding marshmallow challenge 5. Interactive education sessions

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Leadership Conference

Sunday, October 16 - Tuesday, October 18 A r rowwo od Re sort & Confe re nce Ce nter Connect with 140+ members and thought leaders at this years Leadership Conference. Nationally recognized association speaker, Mary Byers, will help your association stay relevant and competitive.

Plus, you’ll be inspired and provided with tools to help you do your job better. More details at: associationsnorth.com/leadership.

Outstanding

Volunteer Aw ards

nnections!

new co Walk away with

To see sessio n descriptions and full speaker lineup, visit: associations north.com/L CEducation

Keynote speaker Mary Byers

SPONSORS

St. James Hotel | Minneapolis Northwest CVB | Olsen Thielen & Co., Ltd. Canal Park Lodge/Comfort Suites Canal Park | Team Rochester Additional Sponsorship Opportunities Available at: associationsnorth.com/LCSponsors

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Et Cetera: Association Extras

NEW MEMBERS

Brent Nelson

Madden’s on Gull Lake

Anne Bubacz Hamann

Visit Duluth

Mark Erickson

National Sports Center

Melissa Hannah

Printing Industry Midwest

Stephanie Menning

MN Utility Contractors Assn

Michael Meyer

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Paul

Nicole Miller

Holiday Inn Mpls NW-Elk River

Alicia Munson

MN Nursery & Landscape Assn

Meggan Reinoso

Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge

Beth Ringer Sanchez

MN Social Services Association

Sandra Sabo

Freelance Writer and Editor

Ryan Vettrus

Olsen Thielen & Co., Ltd.

Leah Wellnitz

Embassy Suites Saint Paul Downtown

2016/17 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS We are looking forward to a great year and continuing to serve our members. 2016-2017 renewals have been emailed and mailed. You can process online or mail payment. If you have any questions or would like to know more about getting your entire staff involved with Associations North, email chris@associationsnorth.com.

CONNECT WITH MEETING PLANNERS Associations North Meeting Planners Symposium is back by popular demand after being wildly successful last year. Not only should you mark your calendar for November 9, but consider a sponsorship. With over 100 participants and meeting planners, the exposure won’t disappoint. Visit: associationsnorth.com/MtgSponsors

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION & SILENT AUCTION First, save the date for December 2 at The Commons Hotel! Then, start thinking of that donation. As you know, it’s never too early to start thinking of that perfect silent auction donation for Associations North Annual Holiday Celebration & Silent Auction. Over 150 items are needed and your support helps raise funds for Associations North education and scholarships. Details at: associationsnorth.com/holiday 20

Spotlight: Member In Motion

Get to know industry movers and shakers.

Andy Skoogman Executive Director MN Chiefs of Police Association

My Motto is...

Take your work seriously but not yourself.

Biggest Pet Peeve I can’t stand when people make excuses for missing deadlines. I think it’s the former journalist in me. If you tell someone they’ll have something Tuesday, don’t call them on Monday night and tell them it’s not going to happen.

That irks me.

What’s one goal you have for the year?

My goal is to slow down and plan better for 2017. I tend to get overexcited about an idea or initiative and want to see it come together quickly. I know I could benefit from a more thoughtful approach.

What inspires me

What are you currently addicted to?

Silicon Valley (HBO) and The Americans (FX). The best comedy and drama shows in the last years.

Hands down.

It’s not what inspires me but who inspires me. My children. I need to be the best person I can be for them. I can’t let them down.

Where would you like to be in 10 Years?

Professionally, that’s a good question.

I really like my job. I’m honored to serve our members and the law enforcement profession. My plan is to be in this same position in 10 years, but one never knows. Personally, I hope to be golfing in the summer with my daughters and coaching them in hockey in the winter.

What talent would you like to have?

I would give my left arm to be able to sing. Unfortunately, my vocal chords were separated from my body at birth. I couldn’t carry a tune if someone put it in my backpack.

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3 Things I can’t live without 1. My kids 2. My smartphone 3. Sunday morning tee-time

What some call obsession, we call service.

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Nothing short of spectacular, created by chefs who know how to dazzle – even on a budget. We may be obsessed, but you’ll love our service.

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