ACCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INVOLVEMENT MENU
You can’t do all things . . . but we count on you to do something!
CALL MICK FLEMING @703-998-3553 TO DISCUSS YOUR SELECTED ACTIVITIES
NETWORK INVOLVEMENT
1. When it comes to Division activity, the member is both the customer and the product! These 5 discipline-specific groups (see www.acce.org) for descriptions) need more ideas, input through mini-surveys, and peer sharing. Whether you lead a particular division is less important than the active participation of you or someone on your team in at least one Division.
2. CEO-centered community peer groups (CPGs) are also critical to the powerful ACCE network. We have four such groups that are staffed, including Metro Cities, Major Cities, Emerging Cities, and Hometown Chambers, and others that operate with only volunteer leadership. Board participation and attendance in CPGs sends a very strong message to other members of these subgroups.
3. Help us grow the Network. While membership has increased in recent years, there are still many chambers on the prospect list. Tell other chambers why ACCE membership is valuable to YOU! Making calls to help us recruit new members is a great way for board members to assist the organization and it helps us ALL. Performing miraculous “saves” of at-risk members, which only peers can do, is even more appreciated. Staff will prepare a list of membership prospects and problems in your region.
RAISING MONEY
1. ACCE’s Community Growth Educational Foundation needs funding – from you and your peers. Are you giving? Can you ask others to give? The scholarship fund is especially appealing for personal contributions.
2. Connect ACCE’s staff leaders to potential corporate sponsors and foundation grant makers in your region. Nobody who has ever introduced Chris Mead to a national company in their turf has regretted it or lost money for their own chamber. Instead, the referrer is appreciated for the introduction.
SHOWING UP
Coming to the annual convention and board meetings is important and appreciated, but these events are the beginning, not the end of the participation road.
1. When a task force or committee you have volunteered for, or been assigned to, is meeting by phone or in person, be there – not only in body, but in mind and spirit. Prepare for and participate in the discussion.
2. State and regional meetings of chamber execs are great places to promote ACCE. When Mick or an ACCE staff member is slated to speak at your state/regional meeting, try to be there in order to lend support and appreciation. If you’re attending such meetings and ACCE is not there, look for an opportunity to raise the ACCE banner
3. Log onto Webinars and peer exchange programs yourself, or have your staff call in for these interactive phone/web-based sessions. They cover issues and practical management topics of every kind, from diversifying your revenue stream to diversifying the composition of your board.
4. Complete the surveys. If all 63 board members take part in the operations and salary surveys we conduct annually, it would set a great example and increase the value of these research products for you and your peers.
5. During convention and throughout the year we need speakers, panelist, writers and experts to present to the rest of the membership. The people on the board are a font of knowledge and wisdom that we simply MUST tap.
COACH and CONTRIBUTE
1. Tell Mick and his people when they need to address issues or fix things. We’re all in the huddle together and trying to advance the ball. Suggestions for improvement from board members are genuinely appreciated (provided you are patient about delivery date).
2. The staff thrives on ideas and feedback related to event and training content. Take the time to tell them what you and what your staff would like to learn. Offer ways to improve on existing programs, as well as on speakers and formats.
3. Provide insight on public policy concerns and issues facing your chamber and region.
4. HERO website of ACCE contains mountains of accessible data, ideas and samples. YOU can contribute to this ever-growing resource in many ways, including directly to Chamberpedia.
5. Self-Service Mentorship – We use a web portal to connect mentors and mentees across the chamber world.
EARLY ADOPTER & RECEPTIVE PROSPECT
1. The retirement/401(k) program offered through ACCE and the Principal to its members covers the employees of more than 300 chambers and associations. ACCE’s life and disability insurance products through UNUM are second to none in service and price. There is no obligation to buy, but it would be great if you, as a board member, would insist that ACCE be part of your next benefits bid process. Stacey Breslin, Vice President of FBI, also provides no-obligation comparisons of your program with other competitors (not just ACCE) to ensure that you have the best plan for your organization and employees.
2. Affinity plans and sponsor offerings are always under consideration by the ACCE staff. When these are rolled out, please give them a good look to determine whether any of them would work for your chamber. All are vetted for quality and integrity.
SO WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THESE OPPORTUNITIES?
1) Some require no formal sign-up . . . just start doing them!
2) Check staff roster & call the person handling your area of interest. Just visit with them and offer to help.
3) Call ACCE President Mick Fleming, 703/998-3553, for a more general discussion about finding the best way to increase your level of involvement as a board member.
Board of Directors Engagement
Contact Roster
Call 800/394-2223 and the extension # shown
Chamber Executive Magazine Brad Holt 3560
Retirement & Insurance Programs Stacey Breslin 3533
Fundraising, Resources & Membership Chris Mead 3545
Succession & Talent Recruitment Mick Fleming 3553
Economic Development & Govt. Relations Ian Scott 3550
Education Content & CCE Program John Carlson 3536
Convention-related Involvement Crystal Moore 3536
Information Office and Research Audrey Imhoff 3524
Governance & Board Meeting Info Yasmin Shafiq 3548
Financial Issues Jacqui Cook 3528
New Product Development Tamara Philbin 3535
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