ASAE Weekly Bulletin

January 10, 2006


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Postal, Mileage Rates Changing In 2006

On Jan. 8, the postage for a one-ounce piece of First Class mail went from 37 to 39 cents.

Last year, the USPS Board of Governors accepted a 5.4 percent across-the-board rate increase for 2006, with three exceptions. Nonprofit Periodical rates remain at 5.4 percent, but for Nonprofit Standard mail, the increase is 3 percent, and for Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route mail, the increases are closer to 12.3 percent.

Despite ending 2005 with a record sixth consecutive year of growth in productivity and wiping out its debt entirely, it remains likely that the USPS will file another substantial postal rate increase to be effective early in 2007, according to the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers (www.nonprofitmailers.org).

Meanwhile, the optional standard mileage rate was lowered for 2006 to 44.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from the 48.5 cent rate set for the last third of 2005. The standard mileage rate is used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

IRS Commissioner Mark Everson explained that the 48.5 cent rate set for the last four months of 2005 was a one-time adjustment in response to the sharp increase in gas prices, which topped $3 a gallon at one time, but have since dropped. The standard mileage rate for the first two-thirds of 2005 was set at 40.5 cents per mile.

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/.

Don't Miss Great Ideas

Experience The Great Ideas Conference in San Diego—A stunning location for an exceptional conference!
February 26–28, 2006, San Diego, CA
Register today!

Post Its®, fountain pens, paperclips, the fax machine…what if you had the next great idea? Come to The Great Ideas Conference this February 26–28 at Loews Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, to get your creative juices flowing! Take these two days to explore great ideas that could grow your association’s membership, exceed your programs’ attendance goals and make your organization run smoother!

This conference is for you if…

You want to improve organizational performance;
You’re looking to build a customer service culture;
You need to design a way to improve your member’s program experiences; or
You want to make your marketing and communications strategies exceptional!

With 50+ sessions this is one conference you can’t afford to miss!

Here are some Great Ideas discovered in Orlando!

“Utilize podcasts to enhance & create excitement around existing programs and services. Also use podcasts to update members on critical issues.”
      -Anonymous

“I will implement a ‘Learning Lab/Lounge’ at my meetings and conferences. I really liked the way the foyer was set with books, a learning lab, a cyber café etc.”
      -Anonymous

“Create a postcard schedule-at-a-glance for attendees at all my association meetings.”
      -Anonymous

Register now at http://www.greatideasconference.org/sandiego/home.cfm

Start your Great Ideas experience today on our blog! http://blogs.centeronline.org/greatideas/

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Technology Strategies and Solutions: Bridging the Gap
January 31–February 1, 2006
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, Washington, DC
Only three weeks left—Register today!

Do you have a stubborn IT question? Then join us in three weeks for this premier conference which could provide the answers you are looking for!

Technology can be baffling, even when you are considered a technical expert. This conference is your opportunity to discuss your current technical roadblock(s) with some of the most knowledgeable technology experts in the field—all at your disposal!

During the two-day conference you will have the chance to look further into the technical issues inherent in managing multiple organizations, the impact of VOIP/teleconferencing, whether blogs would be useful to your organization and how you might utilize podcasting to your advantage. Besides attending these valuable sessions, you are encouraged to discuss your personal IT questions with top solutions providers at the Technology Solutions Marketplace!

Where else will you have unlimited access to some of the top technology experts? Sign up today!

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Speak Up! Your Boards of Directors Want Your Feedback!

The Boards of Directors of ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership have heard the message that our members want to be involved, and this is your opportunity to speak up by providing feedback on the drafts of:

1. The Strategic Plan for ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, and 2. The Recommendations of the Membership Task Force of ASAE & The Center.

At our meetings in November 2005, the Boards of Directors of ASAE & The Center reviewed these two reports, and both have the potential to benefit every member. Since the Annual Meeting in Nashville, our Volunteer Leadership—including both Boards and Section Councils—provided input and direction to these plans. The Boards have approved their general direction and intent. Now it’s your turn. Your feedback is essential to ensuring that these plans reflect the needs and values of our members. As we prepare to make these final and begin our implementation, the Boards are requesting that all members of ASAE & The Center provide their feedback between now and January 31, 2006.

You can link to the instructions by clicking here, http://www.asaenet.org/GeneralDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=14594 or by visiting the ASAE & The Center’s Web site at www.asaenet.org. The link is on the homepage. To access the drafts and feedback forms, members will need to log in to the site.

Thank you!

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Executive Foresight Discussion Group

Executive Foresight Discussion Group
January 17, 2006, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Audioconference
Register today!

Join ASAE & The Center's Executive Foresights discussion group, part of the Executive Management section. Over the next few months, we will examine books, articles and Web sites as springboards for discussion on the eight super-trends identified in the ASAE & The Center's scan report Mapping the Future of Your Association: Eight Super-Trends.

Watch the Book Club and Executive Management section list servers for the list of readings for each topic. To become a member of either of these lists, click here, and join!

Be a part of what is always lively and thought-proving conversation! A call-in number will be provided upon registration.

Upcoming Sessions

January 17, 2006
Topic: Demassification
Facilitator: Virgil Carter, CAE, executive director, American Society of Mechanical Engineering International

February 21, 2006
Topic: Counter-Americanism
Facilitator: Jamie Notter, president, Notter Consulting

March 21, 2006
Topic: Cybermobbing
Facilitator: Diane James, CAE, executive director, Jacobs Institute of Women's Health

April 18, 2006
Topic: Scrimping
Facilitator: Charles "Chip" Deale, CAE, Head-Society Services, CFA Institute

May 16, 2006
Topic: TBD
Facilitator: TBD

June 20, 2006
Topic: TBD
Facilitator: TBD

Register now!

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Master These Key Skills to Advance Your Career!

Skills Building Week for Association Executives
January 24–27, 2006
The Center for Association Leadership's Marriott Learning Complex, Washington, DC
Members $295/session; Nonmembers $395/session
Sign up now!

Master these crucial skills to build a solid foundation that will see you through the New Year and take you soaring to new professional heights! These four day-long workshops focus on the necessary components for all of your future successes. Under the guidance of leading experts, you will look long and hard at effective project management, facilitation, presentation and negotiation. Join us for one, or all four!

Best Negotiating Practices
January 24, 2006
Learn how to walk away from a negotiation with the results you seek!

Facilitative Leadership
January 25, 2006
Do you know how to address your audience in such a manner that they walk away with your intended message and are primed to go forth and implement your suggestions?

Selling Yourself and Your Ideas
January 26, 2006
Sales isn’t a nasty word and we’re all selling something—so come learn how to sell your product in a fun and effective manner!

Proven Project Management Skills
January 27, 2006
Join us to learn the key processes, skills and techniques that will advance your project management skills and allow you to spend more time on all the rest of your responsibilities!

Don’t miss this opportunity, sign up now!

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Treat Yourself–Hear Bono

Reserve a seat to hear Bono, Nobel Prize Award nominee, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and lead singer of the hit band U2!

The Future in Front of Us: Living a More Involved Life, February 3, 2006, Washington Hilton & Towers, Washington, DC
Special room rate $99 for Friday night if you attend this event. Mention that you are with ASAE & The Center's Bono event to receive this discount.
Individual tickets are now available—$95!

Bono uses his immense popularity and influence to draw attention to the worldwide poverty crises and HIV/AIDS in Africa. Join this legendary rocker and extraordinary activist as he speaks about the impact one can have on the world by choosing to live a more involved and purposeful life.

This program is part of the 2005–2006 Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speaker Series®. Other speakers this season include Larry King & Special Guest on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 and Bobby Flay & Rachael Ray on Monday, June 19, 2006.

Call the Speakers Series Hotline at 202-326-9530 for tickets and information.

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Essentials of the Profession Instructor-based Online Course Starting the Week of January 15

Essentials of the Profession™ Learning System
Call 888-852-6787 today to order
Classes starting the week of January 15!

Would your career benefit if you could expand your knowledge on the most critical association management topic areas? Do you find it hard to fit continuing education seminars into your busy schedule? If so, then the Essentials of the Profession™ Learning System is the tool you need.

The system covers general topics including: Associations as an Industry, Leadership and Volunteer Management, Government Relations and much more! Get a complete list of modules.

Here are just a few benefits of this learning program...

Self-assessment pre-test—Determine your current level of knowledge and identify areas of study that will benefit you the most;
Set your own pace—Study anywhere or anytime with the print-based study modules. Load the testing and application exercises found on the CD-ROM on your desktop or anywhere that it’s convenient for you to study; and
Earn 30 hours of CAE credit upon successful completion of instructor-based online course—Enhance an already thorough learning experience with online discussions about program topics with your peers and have content-related questions addressed online by an expert in the field—all for the same cost as the self-paced course.

Call 888-852-6787 now to order the Essentials of the Profession Learning System!

Pricing

Members: $495 for the first complete Learning System (seven modules), each additional system $395 (up to 10).
Nonmembers: $695 for the first complete Learning System (seven modules), each additional system $595 (up to 10).

*If you need 11 or more individual Learning Systems, please call 888-852-6787 for further discounted pricing information.

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Question of the Week–Salary Increases for a 501(c)(6) Association

An association executive in the Midwest submitted this week's question.

Do you have any information regarding average salary increases for a 501(c)(6) association?

ASAE & THE CENTER RESOURCES
Read the postings on proposed salary increases on the ASAE Executive Management and Finance & Administration—Human Resources Section list servers. To do this...

Go to www.asaenet.org and login as a member;
Click “Networking Opportunities” on the left side of the member home page and then “List serves” in the drop down box;
Click “Go to Lists”;
Scroll down and choose “Executive Management Section” or “F&A Section—Human Resources;" and
Click the “visit ___ without joining” button and type “increase” in the search box.

OUTSIDE RESOURCES
US figures
http://www.shrm.org/rewards/

http://was4.hewitt.com/hewitt/resource/newsroom/pressrel/2005/08-31-05.htm

http://www.mercerhr.com/summary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1199665

Global figures
http://www.mercerhr.com/pressrelease/details.jhtml?idContent=1116005

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.

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Career Headquarters—Take 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.

Director of Public Information
Society for Neuroscience–Washington, DC

Communications Director
Northern Virginia Building Industry Association–Chantilly, VA

Executive Director
Center for Nonprofit Management–Los Angeles, CA

eLearning Training Specialist
ASME–New York, NY

Association Executive
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS–Sanibel, FL

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

Eight Super Trends Affecting Associations
January 18, 2006
OnlineU virtual seminar

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.