Time as a Commodity: Governance
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Time as a Commodity: Governance

The first article in our Time as a Commodity series, here we explore the implications to volunteerism and our governance structures.

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Strengthening Organizational Leadership through Scenario Planning
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Strengthening Organizational Leadership through Scenario Planning

Over the course of a pandemic, workforce disruption, political discord, race relations, and more, we have seen organizations who shifted from a single, reactive response to a proactive scenario planning approach were better situated to navigate these rocky waters.

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Meaningful Organizational Narratives
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Meaningful Organizational Narratives

Over 100 years ago, John Dewey wrote that “all communication is educative.” Yet, as we live in an ever-noisier world, our organizations often approach communication from a place of desperation to feel ‘heard.’ From more emails, to post after post on social media, they are trying anything possible to connect with their members.

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Leadership Reflections: Eyes to the Horizon
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Leadership Reflections: Eyes to the Horizon

At what point does disruption become normative? After two years of change, associations have become better surfers, becoming more adept at riding the waves of ups and downs, of challenge and opportunity that have become the de rigeur. Despite this, it is not atypical to still hear organizational leaders talk about “going back” to previous practice, circumstances, and norms.

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Leadership Insights: Silence is not Affirmation
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Leadership Insights: Silence is not Affirmation

When it comes to building strong leadership partnerships with your Board of Directors, silence is not golden. Without their input, without their voice, it is too easy to assume that quiet is confirmation when it may actually be reservation. Here is one approach to structure better Board voice.

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How Unanimity Can Weaken Association Boards
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

How Unanimity Can Weaken Association Boards

As champions of organizational vision, mission, and strategy, our Boards of Directors should have unified voice in how they tell the story of their associations.

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It Might Be the Right Time to Do Strategy If...
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

It Might Be the Right Time to Do Strategy If...

New board members coming in must see within the strategy of the organization an inspirational, robust, and innovative pathway to a better future.

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CEO Insights: Board Relationship Dashboard
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

CEO Insights: Board Relationship Dashboard

The nurturing of the CEO-Board relationship is a key element to a successful, strong partnership between staff and volunteer leadership.

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A Moment of Malleability
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

A Moment of Malleability

Let’s define what we actually want to design, what we actually want to create, what we want to embody in our organization, in our systems, in our staff, and among leadership.

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Associations 2021: Building New Norms
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Associations 2021: Building New Norms

Possibility. If I was going to capture what 2021 is bringing it with it – there is amazing potential and possibility.

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Advice to Associations: Six Perspectives
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Advice to Associations: Six Perspectives

On a recent brain-share call with a handful of #association partner colleagues, we realized that aspects of our conversation could prove useful for the greater community. With thanks to Mary Byers, Jeff Cobb, Seth Kahan, Bruce Rosenthal, and Celisa Steele.

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Introducing Responsible Transparency
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

Introducing Responsible Transparency

In the democratic systems that guide the governance of #nonprofits, there is an inherent expectation of transparency allowing the system of leadership to operate from a place of trust and confidence in partnership with those they serve.

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