ASAE Public Policy Updates


CAN-SPAM Act Update
ASAE continues to closely monitor all developments concerning the CAN-SPAM Act.  The CAN-SPAM Act, the first federal law placing restrictions on unsolicited commercial e-mail, or spam, in effect since January 1, 2004, required the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue regulations "defining the relevant criteria to facilitate the determination of the primary purpose of an electronic mail message."  The FTC’s primary purpose rulemaking must be completed by December 16, 2004.

On September 13, ASAE submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on proposed rules concerning the primary purpose of a commercial e-mail.  ASAE's comments make the claim that all e-mails from non-profits to members should be deemed "transactional or relationship" messages, messages the FTC has stated are not commercial in nature.  To view the full text of these comments, please visit the ASAE Web site at http://info.asaenet.org/pdf/ftc_spam.pdf.

ASAE held an interactive Town Hall on the FTC's proposed rules defining commercial e-mail on October 1, featuring Michael Goodman, an FTC lawyer who is one of the main authors of the FTC proposed rules.  Mr. Goodman was able to hear many of the questions and concerns that the tax-exempt/non-profit community has concerning the CAN-SPAM rules and regulations.

Once the FTC publishes their final regulations, ASAE will update you accordingly.

The article attributes two Senate Finance staffers with saying the legislation will likely incorporate some, but not all of the proposals first outlined in the committee’s staff discussion draft released last summer. Legislation is already being drafted to address issues such as credit counseling organizations, donor-advised funds, and exempt organizations that serve as partners for corporate tax shelters, the staffers said.

ASAE is closely monitoring this issue, and ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE, is serving on a work group organized by Independent Sector to provide recommendations to Senate Finance on issues related to governance, transparency and financial accountability, nonprofit oversight, and the legal framework for regulating charities and foundations. Additionally, Graham will host a special Alliance Forum breakfast at ASAE Headquarters in Washington, DC, on Dec. 16, at 8 a.m. to offer his insights on the current focus on nonprofit governance on Capitol Hill and with the IRS. For more information on attending this event, contact ASAE’s Public Policy Division at 202-626-2703.

The NEW Great Ideas Conference is Going to Phoenix—Register Early to Ensure Your Spot!

February 13–15, 2005
The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, Phoenix, AZ
Presented by The Center for Association Leadership and
The American Society of Association Executives

Ever wonder what your peers are doing that is working so well for them? Do you want new ways to do business and to work smarter? Looking to add a jolt of creativity to your organization? Attend The NEW Great Ideas Conference this February in Phoenix!
  
Replacing ASAE’s M&T Conference, The NEW Great Ideas Conference was developed to provide a forum for you to learn from your peers. You no longer have to reinvent the wheel. Instead, take two days and open your mind to new possibilities that are guaranteed to move your organization ahead. You will walk away inspired, reenergized, and full of NEW great ideas! 

WHAT to Expect…
The following collaborative learning formats are all conducive to cultivating new relationships and igniting dozens of practical ideas that you can use immediately:

• Three outstanding general sessions
• Idea Labs—concurrent, specialized sessions tailored to various practice areas
• Lunchtime conversation café—the opportunity to discuss your problems and solutions with your peers
• Business solutions response labs—hear from our business partners on the solutions they can provide to your challenges
• Sunset Solutions, the chance to grab a cocktail and head into the Phoenix sunshine to reflect on the great ideas discovered throughout the energetic day! 

WHO should attend?
Sessions are designed for CEOs, senior staff, association managers, and directors looking for practical, easy to implement ideas that help you work differently. This conference offers superior content that is specifically targeted towards numerous practice areas including finance, marketing, membership, technology, meetings, communications, professional development, and much more! 

  Visit www.greatideasconference.org to register today! [return to top]

Upcoming CEO and Elected Leadership Programs

Upcoming CEO Symposia
January 24-25, 2005
Hyatt Regency Coral Gables
Miami, FL

The dynamic between chief executive officer and top elected officer continues to be the critical link in ensuring organizational success.  Your limited time together will likely see challenges driven by changes in membership needs and preferences, technology, resource development and allocation, governance and role expectations, legislation and regulation, strategy and accountability for value, and more. The very pace of association activity demands excellent communication, understanding, and responsiveness. To succeed, you need to work in tandem, as productively and efficiently as possible.

This two-day symposium gives you an opportunity to explore your priorities for the year and determine how best to work in partnership. The curriculum carefully blends insights into making knowledgeable decisions, creating a culture of trust, and sustaining a nimble infrastructure with practical tools.  The result is a more common understanding and commitment to the key components of successful governance, strategy, and organization. 

ASAE Member Price - $495  
Volunteer - $495   
Nonmember Price - $595

To learn more about this program or to register online, visit www.asaenet.org.  You can also register through our Member Services Center by calling us at 202-371-0940 in the metro DC area or 1-888-950-2723.

Exceptional Governance: Strengthening the Leadership Team
March 7-8, 2004

Governance is absolutely critical to the success of your organization. It can also be very time consuming and one of your biggest challenges. How can you breakthrough the barriers that hinder exceptional governance and build a strong and vibrant leadership team?

Exceptional Governance focuses on the information and tools you need to build a dynamic board, one that understands its role, fulfills its responsibilities, demonstrates visionary leadership, and ultimately leads the association and the industry, profession or cause it represents to new heights.

A unique benefit of this program is that you will create a governance team action plan that addresses key areas requiring the greatest collaboration between the CEO and chair. You will find that this program will be most valuable if you attend with your newly elected chair and/or chair-elect a few months before they actually take office. This rare opportunity to step away from your day-to-day routine will offer fresh ideas, current trends and strategies, and real-world practices for building better boards.

ASAE Member Price - $425  
Volunteer - $425   
Nonmember Price - $525

To learn more about this program or to register online, visit our Web site at www.asaenet.org.  You can also register through our Member Services Center by calling us at 202-371-0940 in the metro DC area or 1-888-950-2723.

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Are You Looking for Ten Cool Ideas?
The Center for Association Leadership's Web site, www.centeronline.org presents a wealth of information for association professionals.  To help you navigate this information, the ASAE Weekly Bulletin will take a closer look at one of the many opportunities that association professionals have to expand their knowledge through The Center's Web site.

Check out the “Knowledge Resources” section of Web site. You'll find areas such as: Innovation and Excellence Case Studies, Association Models and Samples, Articles and White Papers, Read Me Reviews, Ten Cool Project, Expert Recomendations, Resource Links, Journal of Association Leadership, and Information Central. 

What is the "Ten Cool Project"?
It is an ever-expanding collection of "cool" ideas, resources and samples, road-tested in actual associations and is designed to serve as an idea-generation tool for association professionals. Association professionals, business partners and community members are encouraged to contribute to this collection by emailing KnowledgeResources@centeronline.org.

Here are some of Ten Cool lists to check out...

Ten Cool Technologies to Enhance Your Face-to-Face Meetings
Ten Cool Design Ideas for Learning Programs
Ten Cool Annual Reports
Ten Cool Association Websites
Ten Cool Event Marketing Ideas
Ten Cool Print Advertisements
Ten Cool Staff Management Ideas
Ten Cool Tips to Engage Volunteers
Ten Cool Tips to Unleash Creativity
Ten Cool Virtual Trade Shows

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Question of the Week—Member Surveys

Where can I find tips on conducting member surveys?

Measuring Member Satisfaction

http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,,ETI16308,00.html

Increase Survey Response Rates Through Marketing Research

http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,1584,PID15791,00.html

Comparing In-Person, Telephone, and Mail Surveys

http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,1584,PID15966_PREmember,00.html

Internet Surveys Gather More Data--But Are Results Reliable

http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,1584,PID14155_PREmember,00.html

From the Listserver: Globally Effective Member Surveys

http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,1584,PID16419_PREmember,00.html

Sample surveys:

http://www.webeast.com/forms/npwh/npwhsurvey2003.cfm

http://www.afpnet.org/content_documents/ACF42D.pdf

https://www.fsa.org/surveys/membership/default.asp

Have a Question? Contact Information & CEO Central: 202-626-2742 or infocentral@asaenet.org

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ASAE Career Headquarters—Make Your Next Professional Step Today

Realize your professional potential in association management through www.careerhq.org—the best source of association jobs and resumes. Advertise your resume free of charge to hundreds of association employers and search CareerHQ.org’s targeted job database for the position that’s right for you. CareerHQ.org offers career development services, including job coaching, resume writing, and a career knowledge database. Numerous services are free, including resume review, interviewing guidelines, and a behavioral style analysis. You’ll also find helpful tips and resources to assist in your job hunt.

Click on the newest positions available for a sample of what you’ll find at www.careerHQ.org:

Association Assistant
SmithBucklin Corporation–Chicago, IL

Communications Coordinator
NAB–Washington, DC

Executive Director
South Florida Chapter, NECA–Miami, FL

Manager, Marketing
National School Boards Association–Alexandria, VA

Executive Vice President/CEO
Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association–Atlanta, GA
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Take Advantage of Your ASAE Membership by Registering for Upcoming Events
Here is a sample of the upcoming events offered by The Center for Association Leadership. For a full listing, visit www.centeronline.org.

The NEW Great Ideas Conference
December 5–7, 2004 Orlando, FL
February 13–15, 2005 Phoenix, AZ

Does your organization engage in e-marketing?
Find out how MagnetMail, the ASAE-sponsored e-Marketing Program that powers the ASAE Weekly, can help you achieve record-breaking results. Call MagnetMail at 877-488-2666, or visit us on the Web at www.realmagnet.com/commpartners. To request additional information complete our online form.