Senate Names Conferees on Tax Reconciliation Bill

The Senate advanced the tax reconciliation bill (H.R. 4297) to conference February 14, instructing its conferees on priorities for a final conference report. The House named its conferees February 8.

The key issues for conferees include extensions of the capital gains and dividends tax relief (and whether that would be a one or two-year extension), and whether to include a temporary patch for the alternative minimum tax (AMT), which is part of the Senate bill but not the House version. The House did pass a stand-alone AMT patch. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) said in a February 14 letter to Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), one of the Senate’s conferees on the bill, that he “will not call up a conference report for Senate floor consideration if it does not include an extension of the capital gains and dividends tax relief.”

ASAE will be closely monitoring any discussion of revenue raisers for these extensions, and separate provisions in the Senate tax reconciliation bill relating to charitable giving incentives, and changes to so-called “supporting organizations” and how they may impact the relationship between some 501(c)(6) associations and their related foundations.

ASAE sent a letter to all conferees this week on the “supporting organizations” provisions in the Senate bill.

For more information on public policy issues, visit the public policy section of the ASAE website 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/.

Members of ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership--A New Opportunity to Voice Your Opinion

When the Boards of Directors of ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership created the new model for our organizations, we promised to seek members’ opinions.  Your opinions help us to shape programs and services that are essential to your success.  Here is another chance for you to speak up and stay involved!  We invite you to provide feedback on two additional parts of the Membership Task Force recommendations focused on adding value to 1) Industry Partner and 2) Consultant memberships.  The Boards have approved the general direction of the drafts, and now it’s your turn to comment.  The comment period is between today and March 6, 2006. 

How to Provide Feedback
You can read and give feedback on the drafts by logging in to the ASAE & The Center website, www.asaenet.org.  Once you link to the reports from the home page, you will find the link to the feedback form at the top right.  As completing each field is optional, you can submit your feedback form without completing every field.  Further, because completing fields is optional, your comments can be confidential and anonymous.  However, if you want us to contact you for additional feedback, or if you don’t mind if we contact you for follow-up information, we have provided the option for you to identify yourself.

After we’ve collected and reviewed the perspectives and feedback from members, a final report will be developed and presented to the ASAE Board of Directors for comment and approval at their March 2006 meeting.

Thank you for your feedback!
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No Time to Think About the Future? No Problem!

ASAE & The Center make planning for the future easy with our newest environmental scan publication, Mapping the Future of Your Association. Before you assess your strategic plan, find out the current trends affecting associations and how they relate to your organization. Complete with an interactive CD-ROM, this must-have publication will help you focus your attention on eight association super-trends, their potential impacts and possible responses for your association. 

Gain a clear understanding of what the key association industry issues are and map your organization’s future to achieve success. Order now!

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It's Not Too Late to Register for Next Month's Legislative Fly-In, March 22–23

This is your opportunity to educate congressional staff members on the critical issues and challenges that associations are facing.
 
The ASAE Legislative Fly-In will commence on Wednesday, March 22 with a joint luncheon with ASAE’s Board of Directors followed by a best practices session. We will wrap up with an up-to-the-minute issues briefing. On Thursday, March 23, ASAE advocates will have the opportunity to visit with staff members of the Senate and House to discuss issues impacting the association community.

There are still a few $300 travel scholarships available to those who are interested in participating in this event. To apply, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Vickery at 202-626-2831 or jvickery@asaenet.org.
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CAE Study Course: A Three-Day Immersion Program

Are you working toward your CAE designation? We’re all busy, and finding time to properly study for the CAE exam can be difficult. This intensive three-day course will reinforce and enhance your knowledge in the 10 domains of successful association management. Experienced and skilled facilitators will provide tips and tools that will improve your score as they guide you through sessions designed to cover the full realm of the material. You will also sit for practice exams that further prepare you to ace the exam! Register now.

For full CAE designation information, visit www.asaenet.org/cae or contact Greg Melia, CAE, ASAE's Director of Credentialing at gmelia@asaenet.org or 202-626-2821.
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Register for The 2006 Chicago Association Law Symposium

2006 Chicago Association Law Symposium
April 6, 2006
Mid America Club, Chicago IL
Members $295, Nonmembers $495
Register now!

The Chicago Association Law Symposium is just around the corner.  Join us to explore contingency planning, how to best insure your directors and officers and new governance regulations and legal developments.  Plus, choose from the following sessions:

• Protecting Your Directors and Officers: Liability Insurance & Issues
  In this session, learn about effective negotiation and using association
  professional liability insurance to protect nonprofit directors and officers from liabilities they may encounter while serving the organization.
• Lunch: Sitting in the Center Seat—The United Airlines Response to 9/11
  As the point person for United Airlines during the events of 9/11, Andrew Studdert will tell you about his experiences from “The Center Seat”—a position that afforded him a unique perspective on the challenges and immediacy of a major crisis. He’ll explain the numerous unforeseen issues that can and do arise and the ways in which industries and the government must work together to ensure businesses run smoothly alongside the safety and security of citizens.
• Legislative Activity in Congress and the States
  During this session, gain a first-hand perspective on national and state initiatives and how they may affect the association community.  Designed to be an interactive session, our presenters will offer up-to-date information on legislative and regulatory matters.

This program also provides an opportunity for you to build a network of peers within the association community who you can share ideas with throughout the year.  Register today!

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Mapping Out Your International Strategy

Is your association thinking of expanding into the international arena? Or, perhaps you’ve already begun to take steps in that direction? If so, join us at The Center for Association Leadership’s Marriott Learning Complex, March 7, 2006 for Mapping Out Your International Strategy. This program will give you the tools you need to put together a comprehensive strategy for a successful transition. Through case studies, group activities and discussions you will learn to identify important political, cultural and structural considerations which you may not currently have on your radar screen.  Register today!

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Raise Awareness for Heart Disease–-Attend The Heart and Soul Gala: 2006 Partnership Dinner

The Heart & Soul Gala—2006 Partnership Dinner
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC
6:30 p.m. Reception, 7:30 p.m. Dinner Program and Gala
Attire: Red dress/Red tie suggested

Join us for this exceptional "red tie" event dedicated to honoring four associations for their contributions to advance heart disease awareness. Through ASAE & The Center's Heart and Soul Luncheons and with The Heart Truth, an NIH & National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute awareness campaign, our honorees have raised an understanding of heart disease as the leading health issue.

Our honorees include:
American College of Cardiology
American Heart Association
American Hospital Association
The Heart Rhythm Society and Foundation

Please RSVP partnershipdinner@teamprecision.com or click here to download the reservation form.  For questions about the event, contact Precision Meetings & Events, 703-739-4480.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Washington Hilton & Towers. Reservations may be made by calling 800-445-8667 or 202-483-3000.

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The Business of Meetings programs are headed to Chicago!

The Business of Meetings programs are headed to Chicago next month. Don't forget to register! Featuring four two-day courses, choose the one that is most relevant to you.  Here's a closer look at the Business of Meeings Strategy & Marketing program:

Business of Meetings: Strategy & Marketing
Join us March 28–29 at the Mid-America Club to bring strategic planning to life and learn how it can be translated into action across your organization. Building a dynamic strategy, following up with an effective marketing plan and being positively branded by your members are three business skills that are critical components of success for association marketing professionals—and you’ll gain them here!

You will leave this course with the ability to…

• Scan the internal and external environment and identify trends affecting the industry and your organization;
• Position your organization to maintain a competitive edge with its products and services; and
• Analyze the success of your meetings through innovative measurement tools.

You’ll also discover real world solutions to issues you face as you learn from experts in the field and from your peers.  This course is part of the Business of Meetings Certificate course, though everyone is welcome to attend. Join us now!

Other available Business of Meetings programs are:
Meetings and Expositions Operations
Core Business Management: Financial, Legal and Human Resources
Leadership and Communication
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Question of the Week–Succession Planning

Do you have information on succession planning and staff restructuring?

ASAE & THE CENTER RESOURCES
Succession Planning:
ASAE Virtual Resource List: Succession Planning
http://www.asaenet.org/GeneralDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=7992
 
Next In Line
Ernest, Elaine H. (CAE); Barr, Michael P. (CAE)
Association Management, October 2003
http://www.asaenet.org/Publications/AMMagArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=765

Sixth Sense: Knowing When to Move On
http://www.centeronline.org/knowledge/article.cfm?ID=565

Next in Line: Five Steps for Successful Succession Planning
Andre Mamprin
Executive Update, December 2002
Step 1: Building a Solid Association Foundation
Step 2: Co-developing the Leader's Exit Strategy
Step 3: Minimizing the Association's Risk
Step 4: Strengthening Systems and Processes
Step 5: Transitioning the Leadership
http://www.centeronline.org/knowledge/article.cfm?ID=2242&ContentProfileID=131417&Action=searching

Six Steps to Effective Succession Management
Michele Rinn, CAE
Dollars & Cents, January 2005
1. Identify mission-critical competencies.
2. Identify necessary individual competencies.
3. Assess current capabilities and consequences.
4. Identify high-potential (HIPO) staff.
5. Create a learning environment and make staff responsible.
6. Reassess your succession management plan routinely.
http://www.asaenet.org/Publications/EnewsletterArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=9334
 
Succession Planning Precedes Executive Search, Nancy R. Axelrod
Forum, December 2002
http://www.centeronline.org/knowledge/article.cfm?ID=2464&ContentProfileID=134532&Action=searching
 
Association assessment:
“How’re we doin’?”
http://www.asaenet.org/Publications/AMMagArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=5423 Association Management, July 2003

“Small association’s do it yourself assessment,” July 2003
http://www.asaenet.org/Publications/AMMagSidebarDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=9487

Restructuring staff:
I&E Case: TAPPI moves from strategic planning to organizational restructuring
http://www.centeronline.org/knowledge/casestudy.cfm?ID=1433

I&E Case: ACC “fast tracks” a comprehensive organizational initiative
http://www.centeronline.org/knowledge/casestudy.cfm?ID=544

“Refocus, restructure, revitalize,”
Association Management, June 2005
http://www.asaenet.org/Publications/AMMagArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=11246

“Association reorganization: keeping ahead of the curve,”
Association Management, Feb. 2000
http://www.asaenet.org/Publications/AMMagArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=6875

“Revitalizing the association for members,”
Marketing Insights, Sept. 2000
http://www.asaenet.org/Publications/EnewsletterArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=5739

OUTSIDE RESOURCES 
MAP for Nonprofits: Succession Planning
http://www.mapnp.org/library/staffing/planning/sccs_pln/sccs_pln.htm

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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Looking for a New Job? Preview Recent Job Postings

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.

Membership Records Processing Manager
NAIFA–Falls Church, VA

Chief Executive Officer 
Arabian Horse Association–Denver, CO

Web Developer
American Association of Advertising Agencies–New York, NY

Director of Chapter Relations
Meeting Professionals International–Dallas, TX

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

The Great Ideas Conference
February 26–28, 2006
San Diego, CA

Mapping Out Your International Strategy
March 7, 2006
Washington, DC

Hotel Operations: Hyatt Regency San Francisco
March 8–11, 2006
San Francisco, CA

Exceptional Boards: Strengthening the Governance Team
March 9–10, 2006
Washington, DC

Women's Learning Journey to South Africa
March 11–23, 2006
South Africa

Executive Foresight Discussion Group
March 21, 2006
OnlineU audio seminar

The Convention Center Operations Program
March 22–24, 2006
Boston, MA

2006 March CAE Study Course: A Three-Day Immersion Program
March 23–25, 2006
Washington, DC

Business of Meetings: Strategy and Marketing Course
March 28–29, 2006
Chicago, IL

Business of Meetings: Meetings and Expositions Operations Course
March 28–29, 2006
Chicago, IL

Business of Meetings: Core Business Management–Financial, Legal, Human Resources
March 30–31, 2006
Chicago, IL

Business of Meetings: Leadership and Communication Course
March 30–31, 2006
Chicago, IL

Leadership Skills for Senior Staff
April 3–4, 2006
Chantilly, VA

2006 Chicago Association Law Symposium
April 6, 2006
Chicago, IL

Advanced Financial Management
April 14, 2006
Washington, DC

For a full listing of upcoming programs click here.