Association Management

They are a successful organization with sound programs and volunteer leadership. Most volunteers at the committee level were also very active, although there was some turnover. The association wanted to move to a higher level of operation. This included enhanced communications with members and the public, a new web site, better programs, better attendance, more members and increased revenue.

The Rivers Organization assumed the management firm duties in June 2003. It implemented a timely communications program using the tools for the web site, e-mail and mail. While three separate data bases must be maintained, the effort was made to update all of them on a monthly basis so that members were serviced better.

As a result, meeting attendance increased dramatically, and advance registration and on-site check-in procedures were improved to eliminate problems and duplications. These swift sign-in procedures enabled members and guests to participate in critical networking time available at events and meetings.

With strong, focused volunteer leadership, major annual events, including the annual conference and awards programs, have grown significantly. The Rivers Organization has helped to manage that growth in a very smooth way with continuous communications and follow through with members and attendees.

Member complaints have decreased to nearly zero since the inception of the contract with TRO.

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Association Management

They were a very loose organization when The Rivers Organization took over. There were no formal agendas for board meetings, member meetings bounced from location to location, and membership was stagnant.

First, board meetings and member meetings were tightened up. One person committees were expanded and held accountable. Time lines were established.

Within several years of leadership behind the scenes, it was agreed that a long-range planning meeting would be held. While only a half day, it was facilitated by a professional. Since that time, the Association has grown from 65 to 110  members in four years.

Meeting attendance has grown from 30 to more than 50-60. Major events, such as the Vendor Fair, Real Estate Review Program, and social events are record-setting each year.

The volunteer leadership has become stronger and much more involved.

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Association Management

They hired The Rivers Organization as their first association management company. They have 165 members throughout the State. It was difficult to schedule a Board meeting let alone other association activities. The leadership specifically wanted to restart its newsletter and the awards program.

The Rivers Organization assumed the role as the headquarters location and contact. A volunteer editor was recruited and the president assumed the Awards Chair position.

The Rivers Organization, with assistance from volunteers, developed a prototype and costs for the newsletter, an advertising prospect list, and reasonable advertising rates to meet the financial objectives. A mailing list for non-members was also developed.

The newsletter is now published quarterly and generates net income of more than $2,500 to the Association. While the original size of the newsletter has been expanded to meet the 50/50 ratio of advertisers to articles, the profit still remains. Some issues of the newsletter with broader content have been mailed to 700 readers instead of the usual 325.

The awards program has seen even greater success. The first year it was restarted 16 applications were received. In 2004 there were 24 applications and there was an increase in 2005. All work, except for contracting with another chapter to perform the judging, is done by The Rivers Organization.

Since the original contract in 2003, The Rivers Organization has also helped develop an annual technical seminar and host its 50th anniversary celebration which drew over 120 people - the largest gathering of this group ever!

Volunteers become stronger when they know they can rely on the Association staff to meet and exceed their end of the arrangement.

View our list of association management and meeting planning services.

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