Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/862371
W EEKLY EDITION AUG 16, 2017 The Big Ideas : American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting Provides the PSAI with Information and Insights to Help Keep Our Organization Strong … continued By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director MEMBERSHP MODEL "TWEAKING" It's been five years since the PSAI adopted its tiered membership model. While this is still among the most innovative way to approach structuring dues and fees – and others salute us for making the change - I am hearing ideas that may give the PSAI some a dditional structural options other associations are using to attract new members. We all want to grow the PSAI into the strongest, most broad - based organization it can be. Yet the trick is drawing in new members with an offer that is attractive to them w ithout being unfair to existing members by giving the newbies a better deal. I'll be bringing some concepts back from Toronto, and both the Members Business Success Committee and the Board of Directors will want to discuss whether – and how – we might impl ement them when the groups meet in Minneapolis this fall. EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS The PSAI was founded in 1971 by people who were concerned about emerging government regulations that would impact our industry. In the first decade or so of the assoc iation's existence, its leaders tried to influence public policy in various ways, but in time those efforts became less important than the education and networking functions for which the PSAI has been known more recently. As a practical matter, a small o rganization like the PSAI is not ever going to be in a position to single - handedly affect legislation at the national level. But there are things we can do – and do in a more consistent manner – that would allow our association to have a bigger impact on l egislation and public policy. Doing those things would require resources: both time and money. Our strategic plan calls for us to develop a more robust public policy capacity within the next 3 - 5 years. So I'll be sharing some of the best practices for go vernment relations by small associations with the PSAI Board. From there we can take steps toward bringing our strategic intent into realistic practice in light of our overall priorities and resources. BONUS ITEMS • I found out about a resource that lists a ll sorts of free, cool websites and business resources. Check out this list and consider subscribing to newsletters from "Your Nerdy Best Friend" here . The sign up link is at the bottom of the page. PAGE 4 CONTINUE D ON PAGE 5