Chapter Best Practices YOU Can Use!

(excerpts from the Chapter Relations Managers Chapter Newsletter)

(from the October, 2012 issue)

NSA-North Texas Unveils Spirit of NSA Program for CPAEs and NSA Leadership
Going to be in the Dallas/Fort Worth area soon? You may want to know that any CPAE, Cavett Award winner, sitting Chapter President, sitting National NSA Board Member, past NSA National president, or NSA national staff member will be offered free transportation to and from the airport to their hotel by one of the NSANorth Texas Chapter members. Members who meet the criteria above may also be able to receive transportation to his or her speaking venue. "In the Spirit of NSA, CPAEs and other qualifying members can count on the local Chapter here in North Texas to support them when they come to Dallas/Fort Worth," says Tim Durkin, CSP, and president of NSA-North Texas. "I love this program," says NSA President Ron Culberson, MSW, CSP. "This chapter is really embracing the spirit of NSA." Dan Thurmon, CPAE, was one of the recent beneficiaries of the North Texas spirit of NSA initiative. "I was BLOWN AWAY by this innovative and exceptional idea, as well as the way it was executed by Tim, Russ, and the North Texas Chapter," said Thurmon. "I have since personally told the story to several CPAE friends of mine, and each one is amazed and impressed by this forward-thinking and fantastic idea. Talk about the Spirit of NSA in action!" Thurmon continued, "A ride to and from the airport might not seem like a big deal. But it really was. In this business, we spend some much time in isolation, and the logistics of travel are always burdensome. So in my case, this coordinated effort to smooth my experience and provide a some personal NSA interaction, was not only welcome--it was extraordinary."

(from the December, 2012 issue)

NSA-Michigan Chapter Best Practice

NSA-Michigan also has many interested aspiring speakers in the pipeline - many of whom come to them via their strong relationship with the local Toastmasters group. This Chapter is very excited about incorporating the integrated Chapter Speakers Academy curriculum into their existing aspiring speaker program this year.

NSA-New Orleans Chapter Best Practice

NSA-New Orleans will be revisiting a previously utilized Chapter meeting format: a) Kick off with an "Essentials" presentation - "how to's" geared towards aspiring and/or beginning speakers; b) Follow with a "Warm Up" presentation - this portion of the meetings will feature more advanced speaking business essentials that are useful to both beginners and those who are more seasoned; c) "Featured Speaker" - the featured presentations will be tailored more to the seasoned speaking professional/CSP/CPAE.

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Chapter Best Practices YOU Can Use!

(excerpts from the Chapter Relations Managers Chapter Newsletter)

(continued excerpts from the December, 2012 issue)

NSA-Pittsburgh Chapter Best Practice

NSA Speaks Up for Youth All NSA members, aspiring speaker program participants and guests were invited to attend NSA Speaks Up for Youth on Wednesday, December 12. We partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, the BBBS Agency of the Year, and spent the evening with 20 BBBS participants (bigs and littles). Admission: $10.00 Included: pizza, refreshments and pop 7:00 p.m. - Bigs and littles worked with NSA members and affiliates to develop a speech about the importance of helping others. NSA members, affiliates, and guests served as mentors and provided tips to the matches 7:20 p.m. - Littles presented in front of the group (roughly two minutes per speech). A panel of NSA members and affiliates served as judges

(from the April, 2013 issue)

NSA-Oregon - President-Elect Roger Courville writes about encouraging members to achieve the biggest ROI for their membership dollars by engaging in NSA national meetings, "Ha! I'm SO in alignment with (NSA national initiatives) that I'm actually putting national events on our local calendar and telling folks that Convention (and other national meetings are) the FIRST place to commit to..." NSA-CO - Chapter President Dean Savoca shared a new initiative being tested to engage more experienced speakers - Ted-style presentations. During my Chapter visit there were three 10-minute Ted-style presentations prior to the featured presenter: NSA Past President Scott Friedman, CSP, "Serve Your Way to Success - and Live Your Purpose;" Home Shopping Network Host Carolyn Strauss, "Selling From Your Platform, Whatever That Is," and Orville Ray Wilson, CSP, "Storytelling Secrets of the Masters." NSA-New York City - President-Elect Jean Moroney writes about discontinuation of her Chapter's affiliate status, "When we stopped accepting affiliate members on July 1, we had 36 professional members. Now, we have 50! We are hearing a recurring theme from our new professional members and our guests: they love the energy of the Chapter. I think that our new focus on Professional members is making a difference in who we attract. The Chapter is more focused on professionals, and on excellence. It shows in small things, but the effect is we're jazzed." NSA-New England - During a Chapter meeting, Program Chair Marc Wayshak announced just two of the many benefits of becoming a member of NSA and the NSA-New England Chapter: 1) Chapter members receive the Boston Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB) list - a list of all upcoming meetings in the Boston area (so members can attend, or speak); and 2) a database of associations at which members might want to speak - including how to contact the meeting planner.
KAEmery, NSA Chapter Leadership Institute #nsacli13 #nsa13

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Chapter Best Practices YOU Can Use!

(excerpts from the Chapter Relations Managers Chapter Newsletter)

(from the June, 2013 issue)

NSA-Virginia was very excited to receive the new NSA evergreen Speaker magazines, and put the Aspiring Speaker edition to good use. Chapter President Pam Rambo, and several other Chapter members, recently attended a local Toastmasters meeting where they had an information table and a minipresentation. The Toastmasters were very impressed with our magazine, and when they asked the difference between NSA and Toastmasters, Pam told them, Toastmasters is where you Learn to Speak;' NSA is where you Speak to Earn. If your Chapter would like more copies of either edition of the evergreen Speaker magazines (Professional Speaker and Aspiring Speaker), contact MemberServices@NSASpeaker.org or Karen@NSASpeaker.org and well have those shipped to you! NSA-Austin Chapter President Patti DeNucci told me this new burgeoning Chapter is very enthusiastic about an annual event they have been hosting called Pitch Fest. NSA-Austins Pitch Fest includes allowing three or four members to execute their five-minute meeting planner pitch in front of an audience, and three seasoned professional speakers who serve as coaches. The team of coaches then conducts a live coaching session in front of the crowd so EVERYONE learns. An Association Management Best Practice Tip As you end your current year and transition towards a new year with a new Chapter administration, consider creating a Chapter Self-Assessment Report for the incoming Chapter leaders. This report might consist of reviewing the concluding years Business Plan and then conducting a SWOT analysis of which items from the plan were completed, which items might need to be continued for the next year, and any new strategies that you might want to suggest for future implementation. Type the results of this SWOT analysis into a report to hand off to the incoming Chapter leaders for their Board Planning Retreat. (Remember, an NSA sample business plan template can be found in the 2012 Chapter Leadership Institute Electronic Binder in the Featured Guest Speaker Videos section HERE) A friendly planning note from NSA-North Texas Chapter President Karen Cortell-Reisman: you might alert Chapters to not schedule a monthly meeting on the 2nd Saturday in September its Jewish High Holy Day, Yom Kippur.

(from the August, 2013 issue)

NSA-Pittsburgh NSA President Ron Karr, CSP, attended the Pittsburgh Chapter's Board retreat via Skype. What a GREAT idea! Ron is willing to join other Chapter's retreats as he is available! Connect with him at ron@ronkarr.com. NSA-Northwest In August, the NSA-Northwest Chapter held their meeting in the home of Brian Walter, CSP, CPAE, where attendees experienced a virtual presentation from Terry Brock, MBA, CSP, CPAE. Terry demonstrated how to create products, sell presentations and get more done with virtual tools like Skype and Google+ Hangouts, so all members could SEE it in action.

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Chapter Best Practices YOU Can Use!

(excerpts from the Chapter Relations Managers Chapter Newsletter)

(continued from the August, 2013 issue)

NSA-CO (featured during Chapter Leadership session) Scott Friedman, CSP, CPAE, shared with Chapter Leadership session attendees how his Chapter partners with their local Meetings Industry Council (MIC) for an annual conference and tradeshow a definite win-win proposition as this event brings meeting planners and other industry professionals together for a day of learning and networking! NSA-North Texas (featured during Chapter Leadership session) Tim Durkin, CSP, presented his Chapters best practice the All Access Pass. For one low price, members can attend all of the Chapters 10 monthly seminars for a savings of approximately 30% -- with an early bird discount if they register by the August deadline (creating cash flow to support future Chapter programming and services). Association Management Best Practice Tips Adapt the NSA Chapter Operational Planning Template and/or Chapter Monthly Activities Sample Timelines provided on www.nsachapterone.org and remember to review and update the document/s annually during your Board Retreat. Review prior Chapter newsletters and see the Chapter relations managers travel log in each issue. There you will find who Ive seen speaking at the Chapters just one MORE way to gather ideas for educational programming at YOUR Chapter.

(from the November, 2013 issue)

NSA-Virginia NSA Vice President Ruby Newell-Legner, CSP, recently attended the Virginia Chapter meeting and observed a great Chapter best practice: When I arrived at the NSA-VA meeting on Friday morning, they had clear plastic baggies with 10 or so cards in each baggie and they were giving them to members to help spread the word about their chapter meetings. Thanks Jim Gordon for the great idea from your Chapter! (see the scanned card on the next page)

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Chapter Best Practices YOU Can Use!

(excerpts from the Chapter Relations Managers Chapter Newsletter)

NSA-New Jersey From Chapter President, Kevin Thompson MPA, DTM: We have been having fun and getting a lot done in New Jersey. I reached out to the New York City, Connecticut and Philadelphia Chapters and arranged a reciprocal agreement for our members to attend each others Chapter meetings at member prices. I thought this would be a way to grow each Chapters meeting attendance, providing added value to our membership and increasing the opportunity to learn from different subject matter experts scheduled to come to another Chapter In my mind it was in the Spirit of NSA and something where all members locally could benefit and feel part of a larger NSA family. My fellow Chapter Presidents embraced the idea and we all are excited about the opportunities.

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KAEmery, NSA Chapter Leadership Institute #nsacli13 #nsa13

Chapter Best Practices YOU Can Use!

(excerpts from the Chapter Relations Managers Chapter Newsletter)

(continued from the November, 2013 issue)

NSA-Carolinas From Chapter President, Jane Jenkins Herlong, CSP: During my visit with the Carolinas Chapter in October, Jane told me of a great program that her Chapter is currently planning for 2014. The NSA-Carolinas Chapter going to offer an event at High Point University and hosted by none other than Nido Qubein, CSP, CPAE. Chapter members will tour the campus, have lunch with Nido, and have time for a presentation and Q & A. This is a wonderful way to learn something new while having some quality time with an NSA great -- and to just change up the standard meeting venue a bit.

NSA-Wisconsin From Chapter Speakers Academy Dean, Eliz Greene: We make a big deal out of graduation (from their Academy), we hand out certificates and the silver microphone lapel pins while the Chapter hums Pomp and Circumstance (we are a fun Chapter)! Eliz has shared a graduation rubric that will be posted to the new improved website after it debuts. During the interim anyone who would like a copy may contact Karen@NSAspeaker.org. This rubric includes having all participants complete the following for graduation from the program: qualifying for Professional membership in NSA; designing a professional contact platform; completion of a professional business structure model; provide five testimonials from clients; attend an ethics session either at an NSA national Convention or a local Academy event; and submit of a professional development plan.

NSA-DC This Chapter has adapted the slogan, The Home for the Working Speaker and joined those fellow NSA Chapters who have recently discontinued their affiliate or candidate status, based upon the Chapter Boards observation that their Chapter candidates have typically not converted to Professional membership over time, and the observation that of those who DO successfully qualify to transition to professional membership those are typically graduates of the Chapters Speakers Academy. The Chapter Board of Directors has unanimously decided to refocus our future efforts on those who are currently professional working speakers, as well as those who are seriously committed to becoming one within the near future.Therefore, effective on October 12, 2013the main entrance points into the Chapter will be either as a Professional member of NSA or as a participant of the Chapter Academy program. NSA-DC will no longer be accepting new candidates. (excerpt from an announcement letter on changes to Chapter membership sent to all Chapter members and candidates)

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KAEmery, NSA Chapter Leadership Institute #nsacli13 #nsa13

Chapter Best Practices YOU Can Use!

(excerpts from the Chapter Relations Managers Chapter Newsletter) (continued from the November, 2013 issue)

Association Management Best Practice Tips Use your Annual Chapter Member Survey as a succession planning tool Several of our Chapters, as well as NSA national, conduct periodic membership surveys. This is a great practice to help evaluate what your Chapter does that truly hits the mark with your membership, and where you might make some improvements. Dont forget to ask your members whether they are willing to serve in a Chapter leadership capacity. Just another great way to build a pipeline of volunteers for succession planning! Develop a New Member Orientation Kit Develop a packet or kit to give your new members to orient them to the Chapter. You might include: National and Chapter history, profile, mission & vision, national and Chapter Board member names and/or contact information, Chapter member directory, list of Chapter benefits/services, schedule of upcoming programming & special events, overview of the Chapter Academy and the academy schedule, list of opportunities to serve as a volunteer, glossary of any Chapter or national terminology/acronyms (i.e. CSP, CPAE, GSF, etc.), national and Chapter website addresses and phone numbers, and the NSA Professional Code of Ethics. Get creative! Want to share your Best Practice Ideas? Dont forget to post them to the NSA Chapter Leaders LinkedIn Discussion Group for feedback from your colleagues across the country and maybe youll see them published in an upcoming Chapter Newsletter!

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