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Leadership & Management Thoughts
Seven Considerations When Partnering With AMCs
AMC Institute (03/29/07)
There are several things associations should consider when selecting
an association management company (AMC) to manage their operations.
The AMC's executives and staff should have a depth of experience.
Associations would also be wise to find out whether the AMC provides
only certain services or can they fully manage their operations.
Employee turnover rates could translate into downtime and
interruptions. Associations should also determine whether the AMC
offers such specialized services as exhibitions management,
media
relations, membership development, and promotion. Another
consideration is the technologies employed by the AMC, such as
advanced database management systems, online meetings, and
Web
development. Finally, they need to think about whether the fees
charged by the AMC are justified for the services provided.
Looking Out for the Details
Baltimore Sun (01/04/07) P. 1D; Hopkins,
Jamie Smith
Over 4,600 associations and foundations use association management
firms to handle certain tasks, including convention planning and
political lobbying, or to manage the entire organization. AMC
Institute, an association management trade group, reports a two-fold
increase in the number of association management firms over the past
two decades. Even the AMC Institute's operations are handled by an
association management firm. "The business model makes sense, and I
think there are more and more opportunities," says AMC Institute
Executive Vice President Sue Pine. Maryland Society of Association
Executives executive director Mitch Lebovic says small associations
without the financial resources to hire numerous experts can get
access to accountants, marketers, and other specialists through
association management companies.
New Specialty Companies Fill Gaps for Nonprofits
Examiner.com (12/26/06); Sietzen, Frank
A growing number of nonprofits are turning to association management
companies (AMCs) for training, supplemental staff, and help with
such tasks as bookkeeping. They also offer assistance with meeting
planning and legal and financial issues, according to International
Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC) spokeswoman
Sue Pine. The IAAMC Institute says AMCs manage over 4,600
associations nationwide. Nonprofit clients especially like that AMCs
give them access to the talent and resources of other nonprofits.
National Association of Women Business Owners executive director
Erin Fuller says she can share ideas with other nonprofit executives
or see how they handled specific situations. Association of
Fundraising Professionals/Metro DC Chapter executive director John
Ganoe says AMCs also help small nonprofits share overhead costs by
grouping them in the same building.