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Why work with an
Association Management Company?
The following was
published by the American Society of Association Executives. We
encourage you to visit the
ASAE web site
where you'll find a variety of useful
information regarding AMCs. To make your search
easier, check out our
resources page.
What is an
association management company?
An AMC is an organization staffed with skilled professionals who
provide expert, cost-effective management and administrative
support to volunteer-based membership organizations. |
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Who uses association management companies?
The tremendous advantages of using an AMC are enjoyed by
forward-thinking business, trade, service, and professional
associations, academies, and societies of all membership and
budget sizes throughout the United States and the world.
Why is an association management company preferable to other
methods of administrative support?
No matter what the nature of a volunteer-based membership
organization, only three ways exist to get things done.
1. Delegate all functions to volunteers. While this
approach may reduce out-of-pocket costs, it isn't necessarily
cost-effective. The organization that chooses this route
sacrifices continuity; risks unintentional errors and omissions
in corporate procedures and responsibilities; subjects its
timetables and deadlines to the schedule of volunteers who are
preoccupied with their personal responsibilities; misses out on
valuable professional experience, guidance, and input; and takes
precious time away from volunteers, limiting them from doing
what they do best--namely, running their own businesses.
2. Hire a full-time staff. The benefits of a full-time
staff are obvious: They are there when you need them; they're
well-informed and dedicated to your organizational goals and
objectives; they provide organizational continuity; they are
trained in the unique corporate responsibilities of nonprofit
organizations; and they provide professional guidance and
knowledge.
Trade-offs for this approach include major capital investments
in office space, furniture, and equipment; the high cost of
multiple professional salaries and employee benefits; and the
full-time cost of maintaining a headquarters office year-round,
including slow workload periods when the entire staff is still
being paid to be there for you 40 hours a week.
3. Contract with an association management company.
Forward-thinking organizations have embraced the AMC concept for
more than 100 years, principally because the AMC offers all the
benefits of the first two options, plus additional benefits and
none of the drawbacks--and usually at a lower cost. Ask leaders
of any organization that has used an AMC and they will tell you
this is the most cost-effective, efficient way to get the job
done.
Specific
benefits of using an AMC include
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A level of complete accountability not always
available at the volunteer level.
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More access than other alternatives to the
broadest level of professional staff talent, organizational
management techniques, and technology.
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A larger pool of trained specialists to
provide full support in areas such as nonprofit corporate
and tax law, marketing, public and media relations, meeting
planning, communication, and lobbying.
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Full-time staff support while enjoying cost
savings inherent in a shared-resources relationship.
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Continuity and stability in business
operations during leadership changes.
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Staff flexibility during heavy and light
workload periods.
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Freedom from the administrative
responsibilities of being an employer.
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A consistent physical headquarters office,
phone number, and address.
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Cost savings resulting from stronger buying
and negotiating power for the purchase of meeting space,
supplies, printing, and other services regularly used by
your organization.
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Availability of the latest hardware,
software, communication systems, and other technology
resulting from combined resources.
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Opportunity to foster innovation by access to
an unlimited spectrum of ideas, perspectives, projects of
other client organizations.
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The highest level of staff commitment, since
the AMC's success is dependent on the client organization's
success.
In addition to these specific economic benefits
related to the use of an AMC, the most valuable benefit of all
is that delegating the organization's day-to-day business
matters to an AMC frees the organization's leaders to focus
totally on the organization's mission rather than dealing with
administrative tasks.
Association management companies have a proven track record as
the smart choice for leading-edge organizations--those of today
and those of tomorrow. AMCs offer service, performance, and
results. |
