Setting Professional Development Requirements

Here at Impact Services, we believe it is important to continue learning and growing. Because learning and development are so important to Impact’s mission, it is required that each member participate in 6 professional developments a year. These development opportunities can include skills a team member would like to work on developing, networking events, or a chance to develop a goal or project a client needs or wants.  

This has lead to our team experiencing forums, webinars, and more that have developed them into the hard-working professionals they are. After participating, team members must share with the team what was learned, what challenges or skills they still need to learn more about, and ideas or lessons learned that they feel other staff members could benefit from. 

Setting these requirements sets a culture of continuous education. It reminds everyone on the team that there is always more to be informed about and more room for improvement. The requirements ensure that our team is always increasing their value to our clients. It also provides an opportunity for Impact to take on new responsibilities within our company, because although we may not have experience in a subject, it does not mean we are not willing to learn and conquer it. 

Setting standards for professional development could be a great way to improve your company or association. It will provide new perspectives and open the mind of your team. Seeing things in a new light or learning more about something can only grow your organizations.

Balancing Life as a Board Member

Associations and nonprofits are typically run by volunteers. This means that those volunteers have full lives outside of their duties within the association including their own career. Juggling both a full-time career and a position on an association’s board can be challenging. Here are a few things to remember when navigating this tricky balance. 

Membership is not all on you. The push for new members and member recruitment is a constant goal of associations. Taking on the task of recruiting new members and pushing for current members to stay is a part of being on the board. This job, however, does not fall solely on one person. It is each person’s responsibility as a part of the association to recruit and retain. Doing this, keeps the organization running and allows the organization to fulfill its mission. It is important, however, to be mindful of your interactions with current and potential members. Each interaction could be the deciding factor on whether that member joins or stays in the association. Maintaining a positive attitude and friendly demeanor could be your organization’s selling point.  

Build Relationships. Understanding your members, potential members, and community will set the groundwork for your association’s success. Building these relationships will ensure a sense of trust and will provide you with a set of resources. Connect with people on social media, reach out personally if you have built a strong enough relationship, and maintain the relationship even if it seems like it is no longer beneficial to you. 

Keep learning. As a board member, it is essential to keep learning everything you can about the industry as well as the role you are in. Learning more about the association is only going to make you more knowledgeable and successful. This allows you to run the association efficiently and the ability to teach others more about the industry as well. Keeping up on industry news or advice on how to better your association will better you as a leader. 

Becoming a Nonprofit Organization

It is important for organizations to make a profit, in order to fulfill its mission. Even if a nonprofit organization makes a profit, it has no owners and all funds go back into maintaining the organization. Organizations may file for a nonprofit status through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to receive tax-exempt benefits.

Organizations have the opportunity to incorporate as a nonprofit in any state. The rules to incorporate vary from state to state, but each state requires Articles of Incorporation. Within the articles the organization must state its registered agent and office to receive legal notifications. The address must be a physical address in your state and not a PO Box. If you do not wish to list a home address, there are registered agent services available to receive legal notifications. Contact your state office to learn more about the requirements to incorporate.

The Articles of Incorporation also includes the federal tax-exempt status the organization will file to become tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code. A list of these codes are located at:

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p557#en_US_201801_publink10002273

Even though this list includes several codes to file a 501 (c) tax-exempt status, the most common filings include 501 (c)(3) and 501 (c)(6). Organizations filing as 501 (c)(3) are identified mainly as charitable, but include religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, to foster national or international amateur sports competition, or prevention of cruelty to children or animals organizations. The main purpose of these organizations is to benefit the public. Organizations may apply for a 501 (c)(3) status if they are either a public charity or a private foundation providing charitable goals.  A key component of an organization maintaining a 501 (c) (3) status is offering donors a tax deduction.

Limitation to a 501 (c)(3) is political activity. A 501 (c)(3) is not allowed to participate in any political activity. However, an organization that is not a private foundation or religious may apply for a 501 (h) election when filing a 501 (c)(3) application and participate in limited lobbying.

Even though 501 (c)(3) organizations may have members, another option is 501 (c) (6).  This status allows organizations to be politically active to promote the mission of its members’. Donations are not tax deductible, but the 501 (c)(6) organization does not rely on donations to run the nonprofit. These organizations include business leagues, chambers of commerce and real estate boards, among others.

Organizations should contact an attorney specializing in nonprofit law with any questions and preparing the filing for nonprofit status.

How One Acronym Can Make All the Difference

The Wisconsin Society of Association Executives (WSAE) held the WSAE Summit last month in Madison. Impact participated by sending one of our executive administrators, Tammy. Tammy reported back that the event was filled with useful learning sessions as well as networking opportunities. From this event, Tammy had one major takeaway, everyone needs micro goals. The keynote speaker, Connor Cunneen, emphasized an acronym, C.H.A.P.S, to live by in both work and your personal life to create those micro goals.

C- Compliment one person each day. This sets a positive attitude for both people involved. Setting that tone can lead to a more efficient working relationship and work environment.

H- Hear the words “Thank You.” If you do something nice for someone, it is important to slow down to hear their thank you. This will help you to keep in mind that your work is important and making an impact. This can keep you motivated to provide your best work again and make you feel fully appreciated.

A-Address colleagues, members, and customers by name. The most impactful word to someone is their name. If you are trying to make that person feel important or attempting to get a point across that you do not want them to forget, add their name to the sentence. It will stick with them and emphasis the point you are intending to make.

P-Positive. Use one positive word in each conversation. Delightful, Friendly, Amazing, Brilliant, Bubbly are examples of words that have a significant impression on the person you are speaking with. Adding those words in while giving constructive criticism can also help ensure that the person hears your message rather than shutting down to the negative feedback.

S-Smile. Put a smile on one person’s face each day. When you make someone smile, you in return smile. Create a positive atmosphere and bring a little joy to days that can often blur together with busy schedules and routine.

Living by the CHAPS acronym can make a difference in relationships in all areas of your life. Building those relationships adds to both your success and happiness. This way of thinking is one that we are excited to begin incorporating into our culture at Impact Services.