Making Meetings Fun Resource List   Décor Stumps Prom - www.stumpsprom.com Shindigz – www.shindigz.com Oriental Trading – www.orientaltrading.com *Good for standups, banners, table décor, theme décor   Trinkets Oriental Trading – www.orientaltrading.com *Good for sunglasses, leis, hats, beads, etc.   Nametags & Ribbons PC/Nametage – www.pcnametag.com NameTagCountry – www.nametagcountry.com *Good for nametag holders, Stack-A-Ribbons,   Personalized Trinkets and Trash 4Imprint - www.4imprint.com *Good for anything with logos.  They are inexpensive and offer a quick turnaround   Signs Fastsigns [...]

U.S. Labor Department Publishes Overtime Regulations The U.S. Labor Department announced overtime final regulations today that, when they go into effect on December 1, 2016, will mean that most employees earning less than $47,500 per year will be entitled to overtime compensation, regardless of whether they are currently classified as executive, administrative, or professional (white-collar) workers. The final rule applies to employers in all sectors, but in an effort to address longstanding confusion about how the Fair Labor [...]

An Arm around the Shoulder and a Punch in the Chest How to Support and Motivate Employees to Unlock Their MVP Power By: Eric Herrenkohl   Every March, our family begins another journey to October, following the ups and downs of our favorite baseball teams, Little League or Major League. To celebrate, I’m reminded of a Sports Illustrated article on baseball that helps us learn how to motivate our A-players and encourage our potential stars to fulfill their [...]

False Starts 13 Ways to Blow Strategic Planning By Bob Harris, CAE   Boards can be resistant to think strategically. Some finding it easier to focus on the short term thinking and safe topics. A few boards consider planning an expensive process. Others fear the group hugs and games that characterize some retreats. Even the boards that have budgeted for planning often delay it a year or more. Reports say that up to 50 percent of strategic plans [...]

How Attendees Use Technology to Interact at Events June 8, 2015 by Brianna Lawson Brianna Lawson, Naylor Association Solutions   As an event organizer or planner, your main goal is to keep attendees informed and engaged throughout the show. The use of technology at events has grown tremendously and varies greatly for different industries because each may have certain technology requirements. For example, banking requires secure software, and vendors would have demos of the technology they offer. Another [...]

Transition to Past President The past president can be an invaluable position in the association (recognizing some organizations call their chief elected officer “chair of the board.”)  They have the experience and knowledge to support sustainability of programs and leadership. Regrettably, upon passing of the gavel, some presidents disappear with a sigh of relief. Others have difficulty transitioning to their new role.  Problems have included relinquishing authority, interfering with the incoming president’s agenda, or denying that the role [...]