Charitable Reforms: Not a Question of If, But When

Last week, Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reiterated his plans to introduce charitable reform legislation, although the issue has moved down the priority list recently behind Hurricane Katrina relief and budget reconciliations.

Speaking at Independent Sector's annual conference on October 24, Grassley said he will likely bring charitable reform forward in phases, the first of which he hopes to introduce this fall. He said a second phase of reforms would be a priority for 2006.

Grassley said the reforms would focus on “better transparency and improving board governance, particularly on self-dealing and high salaries.” Grassley is also focused on abuses in credit counseling organizations; non-cash donations such as easements; and abusive transactions in areas such as life insurance and corporate tax shelters.

Grassley said he is mindful of charities’ concerns about “red tape” and hopes to couple the reforms with incentives to encourage charitable giving. He told the Independent Sector audience, however, that he will not support the notion of just giving the IRS more money to enforce the existing laws. “This ignores that we haven’t had a serious review of the tax-exempt laws since 1969. The world has changed since then, and so has the charitable community,” he said.

While Grassley remains optimistic, some Hill sources and staffers have reportedly said it could be 2006 before the first phase of reforms are introduced.

For more information on public policy issues, visit the public policy section of the ASAE Web site at http://www.asaenet.org/.

If you would like to subscribe to InRoads, the weekly public policy newsletter, or manage your InRoads account, please visit http://capwiz.com/asaeinroads/mlm/signup/.

The Great Ideas Conference–Hotel Cut Off Nov. 12 for Orlando!

 Experience The Great Ideas Conference—Two great locations!
December 4–6, 2005 Orlando OR February 26–28, 2006 San Diego
Orlando hotel cutoff date is November 12 and rooms are filling up fast!
Register today!

The Great Ideas Conference will inspire, energize and rejuvenate you.  And this year the great just got GREATER!

Here's what you'll experience this year...

Two outstanding General Sessions—

• The Medici Effect: Groundbreaking Innovation at the Intersection of Disciplines and Culture—Learn how your association can find new paths by taking what they do best and combining it with something slightly different to change the world. Prepare for a talk unlike any other led by Frans Johansson, best-selling author, speaker and entrepreneur.
  
• The Generations Dynamic: How Do We Get Those X'ers?
  Why aren't those from Generation X joining our associations in the same percentages as prior generations? Based on his outstanding evaluations from the 2005 Marketing & Membership Symposium, we've invited Chuck Underwood, founder and president of the Generational Imperative, Inc. (TGI), back to share his research on how to motivate, recruit and retain generation X'ers in your association. 

NEW! The Learning Lounge—where all the big thinkers will hang out before and between sessions. It's a self-paced interactive museum for your mind, both your left and right! 

NEW! Creativity Room—experience unconventional access to new ways of thinking. From using Tinker Toys™ to make new and improved connections in your organization to creating your association's eco-system, this promises to be a unique and rewarding experience!

45+ Idea Labs—practical sessions that will help you grow your membership, exceed your programs' attendance goals and make your organization run smoother.

Magical Epcot®  Evening, Orlando—sponsored by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, in the true American spirit, join us for a cocktail reception at the American Adventure Rotunda where we relive our country's glorious past in the beautiful setting of classic Americana.

Career Fitness Center—Give your career a work out! Assess your leadership skills, strategize the next phase of your career, solve a problem in your current role and define goals for your career path.

"Congratulations on the fantastic success of the Great Ideas Conference!  Your team did a great job of designing such a meaningful conference.  I took away plenty for my left brain and equally for the right brain, and actually my brain hurts a bit right now!" Bill Reed, CMP, VP, Conferon, Inc.

"The Great Ideas Conference in Orlando last year was terrific!  I really enjoyed the format, which allowed for ample networking time with colleagues and the quality educational sessions.  I am looking forward to attending the conference again this year!" Robyn Morris, CAE, VP, finance and business operations

This is one conference you can't afford to miss!  So, ...visit www.greatideasconference.org and register today!

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Need a Reality Check?

 2005–2006 Nation's Capital Distinguished Speaker Series

November 7, 2005, The Kennedy Center Dr. Phil McGraw Getting Real: Living a More Honest Life Tickets for Dr. Phil, November 7 Orchestra/Box, $100 each First Tier Balcony, $75 each Second Tier Balcony, $60 each

Dr. Phil McGraw has inspired millions of people to get real about their own behavior and create more positive lives. His nationally syndicated show has been making headlines and breaking records since its 2002 launch—earning the highest ratings of any new syndicated show since "The Oprah Winfrey Show" where he began his television career as Oprah’s resident expert on human behavior. Join us for a very special evening where Dr. Phil talks about the benefits of living a life based on honesty in his signature “tell it like it is” style. 

Other speakers in the series include...

• Bono–Friday, February 3, 2006;
• Larry King–Tuesday, April 18, 2006; and
• Celebrity Chefs Bobby Flay & Rachael Ray–Monday, June 19, 2006

Purchase your tickets today!

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Strengthen Your Governance Team

Exceptional Boards: Strengthening the Governance Team
December 5–6, 2005, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL

A highly engaging learning experience for association CEOs to attend with their elected officers and/or their entire executive committee.

Exceptional Boards is a workshop that provides insights into improving the effectiveness of your board operations. The program demonstrates how to breakthrough the barriers that hinder exceptional governance and create a strong and vibrant governance team. The program is most valuable if you attend with your newly elected officer a few months before they take office and/or your executive committee.

Exceptional Boards 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.

Attend this program and…

• Develop a shared understanding of the responsibilities of the board, elected officer and CEO;
• Collaborate on what is needed for your board to demonstrate exceptional governance;
• Create a governance team action plan that addresses areas requiring the greatest collaboration between the CEO and elected officer;
• Create opportunities for a sustained, guided discussion focusing on the role of the board chair and CEO in educating and leading the board; and
• Actively engage in dialogue with your peers and share strategies to enhance board effectiveness.

This program is also offered March 9–10, 2006 in Washington, DC and May 18–19, 2006 in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.centeronline.org. To register, call 888-950-2723 (202-371-0940 in Washington, DC).

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Update Your Member Record for the 2006 Who's Who Directory

Help us make the 2006 Who's Who Membership Directory and Buyer's Guide the best hard copy resource in the association industry.

If you have already registered on the Web site...

• Simply login to www.asaenet.org and find the membership tab;
• Choose the last option on the fly-out menu: "Update My Member Record"; and
• Enter your changes and then scroll to the bottom and click on "Update Member Record.

It's Not Too Late to Register–Attract, Retain and Build Member Relationships!

Attract, Retain and Build Member Relationships
November 3, 2005, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. EST
ASAE Conference Center, 1575 I Street, NW, Washington, DC
Members $195, Nonmembers $295
Register now!

New, Exciting Ideas to Create a "Winning Brand" and Retain Your Members
Organizations approach external branding and the development of member relationships as two independent issues with separate strategies. In reality, these issues must be integrated to build your brand identity and to communicate consistently your association's voice internally and externally. As a result, you will deliver premium value to your members. To achieve this goal, you need results-oriented programs that drive brand loyalty to ensure your members keep coming back year after year.

In this two-part program, learn how to manage your brand to attract and retain members. It is not enough to define your brand, you must also be able to use it to redefine your organization's message and create the "experience" for your members.

Content Leaders: Larry Gulko, marketing coach and public speaker; Bruce Matza, president, Innovations in Management

Becoming a Customer Service Star
Don't just talk about providing your members better customer service—make it a reality with this dynamic workshop. Through a quick, accurate personal profile, Becoming a Customer Service Star will help you examine your attitude about customer service and suggest ways to boost your customer-service performance.

During this session, you will evaluate your customer service aptitude in five critical categories...

• Demonstrating a positive attitude toward customers;
• Encouraging customer feedback;
• Responding to customer problems;
• Developing repeat relationships; and
• Seeking to exceed customer expectations.

Ideal for personal or team development, this session can help diagnose and solve customer-service policy problems within your organization.

Content Leader: Bruce Matza, president, Innovations in Management

Register now!

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Expand Your Meetings Potential

Business of Meetings Certificate Program--For Leaders in Meetings Management

There's still time to register!

Meetings management involves several layers: strategy, marketing, operations, business management, leadership and communication. The Business of Meetings program—created by meetings professionals for meetings professionals—covers these critical areas. This high-level program is designed for executives who want to earn a competitive edge in the meetings industry.  

So, if you are dedicated to advancing meeting management into an important component of your association's overall business management strategy, then register for this valuable program today! 

Space is filling up fast for each course, so make sure to save your seat now. 

• Strategy and Marketing
  (November 7–8, 2005 in Washington, DC or March 28–29, 2006 in Chicago, IL)
• Meetings and Expositions Operations
  (November 7–8, 2005 in Washington, DC or March 28–29, 2006 in Chicago, IL)
• Core Business Management
  (November 9–10, 2005 in Washington, DC or March 30–31, 2006 in Chicago, IL)
• Leadership and Communication
  (November 9–10, 2005 in Washington, DC or March 30–31, 2006 in Chicago, IL)
  
  

2006 Marketing & Membership Conference–Request for Proposals

Do you have insight on the latest trends in marketing and membership? Or ideas on how to better develop a member loyalty program? What about case studies—successful or not-so-successful—that would be great for your association peers to learn from? Then now is the time to give us your best ideas for the 2006 Marketing & Membership Conference, June 26–27, Bethesda, MD.

This annual event is an exclusive learning and networking opportunity for association marketing and membership professionals. This conference inspires, rejuvenates and energizes our attendees. We know that the best ideas and solutions come from those intimately involved with their industry... that means you!  Share your wisdom with other association executives by submitting a topic today.

Don’t miss out! Proposals are due November 20, 2005!

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Don't Miss a Comprehensive Review for the December CAE Exam!

CAE Review
November 4, 2005, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Center for Association Leadership’s Marriott Learning Complex
Washington, DC
Members $295, Nonmembers $395 or $495 to join and attend
Sign up today!

The next CAE exam is just over a month away! Now that you're in your final stages of preparation, would you like an intensive review before the exam? Then don't miss the opportunity to join your colleagues one more time for a comprehensive one-day review. Ask experts who have completed the CAE process any lingering questions about your study material or your readings.

Register now!

Note: CAE Review course registration does not include CAE exam registration, a separate registration is required. Please visit www.asaenet.org/cae for information about the CAE designation and exam eligibility requirements.

The CAE program is governed by the CAE Commission, the semi-independent body of the American Society of Association Executives. The CAE Commission volunteers and CAE staff are not involved in the development of the preparatory program, and no preparatory program is endorsed by the CAE Commission nor is a prerequisite to earn the CAE.

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Question of the Week–Volunteer Organizations and Attorneys

Do you have information available to help volunteer organizations decide when they need to engage the services of an attorney?

ASAE & THE CENTER RESOURCES
The following list is adapted from an article that appeared in Association Management in November 2002.

• Recognize that trust is the most important quality;
• Look for expertise and experience;
• Keep in mind that responsiveness may trump credentials;
• Clarify legal needs in advance;
• Ensure that fees and charges are affordable;
• Evaluate hourly fees against retainers;
• Specify the attorney's role;
• Determine whether counsel will be permitted to also represent members;
• Limit meetings that counsel should attend; and
• Periodically review the relationship.

Ten guidelines for engaging association lawyers
Association Management , November 2002
Jerald Jacobs

Association Law Handbook–Chapter 24 discusses Legal Counsel.
http://webmw.asaenet.org/ebusiness/product.asp?ID=48325

If you have a question or pressing issue that you would like to see addressed in the Weekly Bulletin, contact Knowledge Center/Information Central at 202-326-9559 or infocentral@asaenet.org.

To order ASAE & The Center’s publications, call the Member Service Center at 888-950-2723 or visit www.asaenet.org/bookstore.

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Look Here for Your Next Association Career Move

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.

Conference Registration
NAEYC–Washington, DC

Executive Director
Association Management Group–McLean, VA

Program Administrator
American Association for Cancer Research–Philadelphia, PA

Government Affairs Associate
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)–Arlington Heights, IL

Meeting Planner
American Society on Aging–San Francisco, CA

Career Headquarters is powered by Boxwood Technology.

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Register for Upcoming Events Offered by CenterU--Your Gateway to Excellence in Association Learning
 
Attract, Retain and Build Member Relationships
November 3, 2005
Washington, DC

CAE Review
November 4, 2005
Washington, DC

Business of Meetings Certificate Program
November 7–8, 2005 and November 9–10, 2005 in Washington, DC
March 28–29, 2006 in Chicago, IL  and March 30–31, 2006 in Chicago, IL

2005–2006 Nation's Capital Distinguished Speakers Series
November 7, 2005–June 19, 2006
Washington, DC

Emerging Leaders Forum
November 8, 2005
Washington, DC

Making “Cents” of Your Sponsorship Opportunities
November 16, 2005
OnlineU Virtual Seminar

The 30-Second Sales Opportunity
November 17, 2005
OnlineU Virtual Seminar

The Great Ideas Conference
December 4–6, 2005 and February 26–28, 2006
Orlando, FL and San Diego, CA

Exceptional Boards: Strengthening the Governance Team
December 5–6, 2005
Orlando, FL

Managing Multiple Priorities
December 7, 2005
OnlineU Virtual Seminar

Hotel Operations Program: Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
December 15–17, 2005
Albuquerque, NM

Membership Boot Camp Online Course
January 7, 2006–February 17, 2006

The Symposium for Chief Executive and Chief Elected Officers–PGA National Resort & Spa
January 9–10, 2006

The Symposium for Chief Executive and Chief Elected Officers–PGA National Resort & Spa
January 12–13, 2006

Eight Super Trends Affecting Associations
January 18, 2006

Principles of Financial Management
January 21, 2006–March 3, 2006

How to Negotiate Like a Pro
January 24, 2006

Hotel Operations Program: Fairmont Dallas
January 25–28, 2006

Facilitative Leadership: How to Enhance Results and Maximize Others' Contributions
January 25, 2006

How to Deliver Presentations that Command Attention
January 26, 2006

Proven Project Management Skills for Organizational Effectiveness
January 27, 2006

Technology Strategies and Solutions: Bridging the Gap
January 31, 2006–February 1, 2006

For a full listing of upcoming programs click here.

Concerned about delivery rates of your e-marketing campaigns? Are you losing touch with members?

Delivery is job one with MagnetMail, the ASAE Sponsored e-Marketing Program that powers ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership. Find out how you can increase your throughput rates and connect more effectively with your organization. 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.