If your work for a national or international association, its natural to question the value of belonging to a state association. Here are the questions we commonly hear (and answers to them): 

 

You know you’re getting old when…I’m betting that each of you reading this - regardless of your age – has an answer. When we think of age, we’re reminded of the physical aspects and the words of Mick Jagger, “what a drag it is getting old”. But it’s important to understand there are considerations beyond physical aging. These include how we feel about ourselves, our connectedness with society, and how we are treated by society.

Age in the workplace was the kickoff topic in February as part of the Workplace Inclusion Network series — a new partnership between VSAE and the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC). Dr. Jenny Inker, Assistant Professor & Co-Director, Assisted Living Administration Specialty Area, VCU, noted how ageism is all around us, from advertisements to comments to perceptions of ourselves and others. As workplaces include employees from multiple generations, she emphasized the importance for organizations and their leaders to understand and address ageism, and to include age as a part of their inclusion strategy.

One interesting part of the conversation dealt with generational stereotypes. Participants were asked to identify traits they associated with different generations. Rather than devolving into a new round of “ok boomer” vs. “snowflake” sparring, what came out of the conversation was hopefully a better appreciation that generational differences need not by themselves be generational barriers, and that each generation has something to contribute and learn from one another.

As importantly, we need to change the way we think about ageism. It is not something limited to older workers. According to a November 2020 article from Harvard Business Review, “Am I Old Enough to Be Taken Seriously? “young adults are more likely to report experiencing ageism at work than their middle-aged and older counterparts. Among the author’s recommendations is to start or join a working group for young professionals.

Letter sent 12/5/2022 to the Honorable Todd Gilbert, Speaker, Virginia House of Delegates:

On behalf of the members of the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE), I’m writing to highlight the wide-ranging benefits that trade and professional associations provide to the Commonwealth of Virginia and its citizens. VSAE’s 400-plus members consist of association executives and those who serve Virginia’s association industry with products and services.

VSAE announced the recipients of its 2022 Awards of Excellence on December 2 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa Short Pump. 

• Ray Mattes, CAE, President & Chief Executive Officer, Retail Alliance, recipient of the CEO Award of Excellence, given to an outstanding chief staff executive in recognition of their leadership and achievement.
• Phyllis Errico, JD, CAE, General Counsel, Virginia Association of Counties, recipient of the Association Staff Award of Excellence, which recognizes an outstanding association staff professional for their contributions to their association.
• Jamie Mitchell, CMP, Convention Sales Manager, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, recipient of the Associate Member Award of Excellence, presented to VSAE member suppliers or vendors who have distinguished themselves through their leadership qualities and professionalism.
• Bob Holsworth, Managing Partner, DecideSmart, recipient of the Career Service Award of Excellence which recognizes an individual outside the field of association management who has provided exceptional service over the years to the association community.

For more information about the VSAE Awards of Excellence, please visit www.vsae.org/awards-of-excellence

VSAE announces its newly-elected 2022-2023 Board of Directors, whose term began May 1, 2022. The installation ceremony took place at VSAE’s Annual Conference, May 1-2 at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia.

Officers

The Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) Board of Directors has adopted a DEI Vision & Values Statement, following recommendations from its DEI ask Force. 

VSAE’s DEI vision is to “build and sustain a diverse, equitable and inclusive Association that sets the example for affirmation, access, recognition, and respect of various groups, identities, and cultures to positively impact Virginia’s association community.”

In addition, the Board adopted six DEI values:

• Continually create opportunities for VSAE members to develop critical skills to lead and manage through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Create and maintain an environment that allows everyone to express their social identity and culture to foster a sense of belonging.
• Model respect, professionalism, and ethical behavior among VSAE members.
• Seek out and encourage diverse ideas and perspectives at all levels of VSAE leadership and members.
• Stand against all forms of discrimination, oppression, bias, and exclusion, as well as structural, institutional, and systemic inequities.
• Use a data-driven approach to track, measure, and understand the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion within Virginia’s association community.

 

 

We’ve been hearing for some time that the pace of change is accelerating, and never has that seemed truer than these past 18 months. At times, the pace and the scale of change can make us feel like things are spiraling out of control.

VSAE President Maureen Dingus announced the following VSAE members have agreed to serve on the association’s newly established Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force:

• Abby Tammen, CEO, Charlottesville Association of Realtors (Chair)

To say that today’s buyer has changed would be a bit of a massive understatement. In fact, we’ve never seen such change in such a short period of time. When you consider how we’ve evolved since the advent of the internet (it became mainstream in 1996) and then throw on top of that all the digital behaviors that were catapulted by the recent pandemic, the results are stunning.

To name a couple:

• Today’s buyer, on average, is more than 70% through the buying cycle BEFORE they actually speak to a sales person. (Forrester)

I am honored to serve as VSAE President, especially during this time of great change and opportunity. When I first became a member, I was a young female, non-CEO who did not play golf. At times, I felt unable to take advantage of all that VSAE had to offer because I did not always feel like I belonged. Thanks to the tenacity of past VSAE leaders and staff, this is no longer true.

While I am not “young” anymore, I am still a female, non-CEO who does not play golf. Now I have many female past president role models, I can lead the Board as a non-CEO, and I can enjoy a variety of amazing networking activities on or off the golf course. VSAE leadership made intentional changes to the bylaws, programming, and organizational norms to move us forward.

Now, we need to continue moving forward. This year your Board will examine how we advance our efforts to bring about greater diversity and inclusion. We will work to define what this means to VSAE, what actions we can take, and how we can support you as you grapple with this at your organization, whether related to your staff, your governing leadership, or your membership at large.

What can you do now?

Keep learning from your peers. VSAE has already provided some great sessions on diversity and inclusion and another one is on tap at Annual Conference. If you are a member of a Shared Interest Group (SIG), suggest this as a topic. Talking through your experiences and listening deeply are also powerful ways to learn and grow.

Look around the table. When you attend a VSAE event or meeting (virtual or in person), look around at who is there, and more importantly, who is not there. What can you do to make someone else feel that they belong? Consider how you can bring more people to the table, especially people who may not think they belong.

Share your perspective and hold us accountable. The Board needs to hear from the members. We will be engaging in important conversations and soliciting feedback from you. This is not a “check the box” exercise that will be accomplished by the end of the year. It will require sustained commitment from future leadership and the membership as a whole.

VSAE’s mission is to be the best of the best, so you should expect great things. Right now, we all need to listen and to lead. I hope you’ll take this journey with us.

The Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) is proud to announce its newly-elected 2021-2022 Board of Directors, whose term begins May 1, 2021. The installation ceremony will take place at VSAE’s Annual Conference, June 27-29 at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Officers
• President – Maureen Dingus, CAE, Chief Operating Officer of Virginia Society of CPAs
• Immediate Past President – Phyllis Errico, JD, CAE, General Counsel for Virginia Association of Counties
• President Elect – Steven Williams, CAE, Partner at Hardiman-Williams, LLC
• Treasurer – Stewart Hinckley, President & CEO of Ruggles Service Corporation
• Secretary – Shannon McCabe, CAE, Executive Director of Association of Consulting Foresters

Directors beginning their first term
• Kyle Shreve, Executive Director, VA Agribusiness Council
• Abby Tammen, Chief Executive Officer, Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS
• Bruce Whitehurst, President & CEO, VA Bankers Association

Directors continuing to serve for VSAE
• Corey Clayborne, AIA, MBA, Executive Vice President of American Institute of Architects, Virginia
• Sarah Gouger, Program Coordinator, Virginia Tech Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens
• Amy Hewett, CAE, VP of Strategy & Communications, Virginia Health Care Association
• Christina Lewellen, MBA, CAE, Executive Director, Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
• Carter Lyons, CAE, Director of Communications, Associated General Contractors of Virginia
• Lisa Noon, CAE, RCE, Vice President of Organization Management Group
• Associate Member – James Gelfand, Vice President of Sales and Revenue, Kingsmill Resort

Virginia has enacted permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health standards, effective January 27. These standards are similar to interim standards adopted in 2020 and continue to mandate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infections disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training and hazard communications in workplaces. 

Employers are required to train employees on COVID-19 safety and develop infectious disease and preparedness response plans. The regulations also include guidelines for returning to work and communication about employees who test positive and potential exposures.

 

The Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors present the following slate of officers and directors for the 2021-2022 year (May 1–April 30).

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
Maureen Dingus, CAE

Things will get better. Just keep saying that. And when we come out on the other side of the pandemic, we will face a world far different than the one we left behind.

The past year has brought new meaning to “working from home”. It has challenged personal and professional relationships, while also helping us appreciate and in many ways re-discover the simple pleasures in life. We have cooked more, watched TV more, (thank goodness for streaming!), experienced more time outdoors, and spent more time with our pets (or got a pet for those who did not previously have one).

If you're looking to deepen your engagement in VSAE, now is your opportunity!  VSAE's volunteers are instrumental in a variety of activities. They assist in developing educational content, mentoring new members, speaking at VSAE events, engaging members in community service projects, and much more.

From short-term projects to leadership roles, VSAE offers a variety of opportunities to be involved. See the list of volunteer opportunities.

ASAE delivered a letter to President Biden on January 27 urging the administration to engage the association community in policy discussions of critical importance to the nation. ASAE typically sends an introductory letter to each incoming administration, though this year’s letter reflects the extraordinary and immediate challenges facing the White House as it works to arrest the COVID-19 pandemic and reverse months of severe damage to the U.S. economy

Congratulations to the 2020 graduates of the Association Leadership Virginia (ALV) program! This is the second class to graduate from the program, following on the nine who graduated in 2019. 

Launched in 2018, ALV aims to develop leaders for the Commonwealth’s association management industry. The program brings together association professionals from across Virginia and from all levels of association management to discuss and explore strategies for leadership. Tom and Melissa Laughon of Catch Your Limit designed and facilitated the year-long program, guiding participants as they learned about their own leadership style and how to harness it to have a positive impact in their organization. 

“VSAE congratulates its latest ALV class. We continue to be impressed by Tom and Melissa’s program leadership and focus on excellence in association management and we commend the 2020 graduates for their resilience and commitment in the face of the unprecedented challenges this past year,” said Phyllis Errico, ESQ, CAE, VSAE President and General Counsel of the Virginia Association of Counties.

For more details about the ALV Program, visit vsae.org/association-leadership-virginia or contact Terry Monroe ([email protected]).

Looking to recruit more volunteers for your association?  Check out these six out of the box volunteer tips.

I have a confession to make – I don’t read very many books or journals focused on leadership. My reading tends to be more focused on fiction, and my leadership is more often guided by gut instinct. But I did recently share an article on LinkedIn that I thought summed up much of what my gut usually tells me to do as a leader. Many of my connections on the platform were inspired by the article, and it spurred an invitation to write this column for VSAE about servant leadership.

Being a servant leader requires a combination of humility and confidence. Asking for help, especially from the very people we are charged to lead, can make us feel vulnerable. It takes courage and strength to do it, and especially to do it authentically. The perspective you gain from truly listening to and empowering your team members, though, is incredibly valuable. It builds trust and mutual respect that I believe brings out the best in people and enables high performing teams.

To a great extent, we’ve all been winging it, making it up as we go along and doing the best we can in both our personal lives and with our associations, The following ten strategies will help us survive and thrive as we move ahead.

1. Use Teamwork to Develop Solutions - Everything with the pandemic is unprecedented and no one has the experience to know what to do. We are all, to a great extent, just doing the best we can. This is a perfect time to use the benefits of teamwork. Whenever possible, associations should use workgroups, task forces and other forms of teams to work out solutions to the challenges before us. Teams will provide a well-thought-out solution that has a greater chance of success, and the team members will emotionally benefit from the interaction with others.