Key Takeaways from the 2021 ASAE Annual Meeting
My expectations and experiences from the virtual 2021 ASAE Annual Meeting were different from last year because I thought for sure we would be meeting in-person this year, which, of course, turned out not to be the case. This simple statement was confirmation that the world around us has changed for the long term. Three observations hit home that made a deep impression related to nonprofit organization management practices: listen with purpose, stop using outdated contract templates, and take a fresh look at policies.
We must adapt to operating in an uncertain world with a future that is hard to anticipate. The ASAE Annual Meeting highlighted the challenges of this past year, but also provided insightful perspectives and approaches for innovation and governing in this new world. I gleaned three general purpose management tactics that will serve well to help meet the challenges ahead, and which I am committing to adopting right away.
The first is to listen with purpose. In a changing virtual environment, we are more dependent on information gathered through listening. Discussions in a virtual platform often foster a culture of “competition to be heard.” This dynamic is becoming more challenging as some of the workforce returns to the office (fully or partially), while others are continuing to work remotely. This causes additional hurdles for sharing information in a mixed-location workforce that will be different on any given day.
Listening with purpose will tilt the challenge in your favor. My favorite techniques include simple reminders like “listen more, talk less,” be less confrontational and more encouraging, and challenge new ideas with questions instead of cross-examination.
Additionally, organizations should adopt new staff meeting formats that encourage broad participation, that are diverse in representation, and encourage input from all participants. If holding larger team planning meetings is a challenge, balance with more frequent small group meetings in between larger group meetings.
My second takeaway is to stop using outdated templates for service contracts, sponsorship agreements, requests for proposals (RFPs), rental agreements, sharing of services, and other similar business and operational transactions. We are operating under different circumstances and need to plan and implement with creativity and innovation. Now is not the time to reflexively use the same contract templates that you have been using for years. Thus, it is necessary to revisit these standard templates and develop contracts that are a better fit for this new world. Both minor and major changes to these agreements will help organizations to adopt new operating tactics, reduce risk exposure, and improve the potential for operational efficiencies and outcomes.
The third takeaway is to take a fresh look at policies. Over the past year there has been a general aversion to changing policies as we struggled to interpret and react to unpredictable and fast-changing health, cultural, and regulatory issues. It’s time to stop the waiting and start to analyze and refresh policies to better fit our current and future operating realities. The refresh is not just to meet new compliance requirements but to adopt more efficient practices and foster innovation. Policies related to human resources (HR) and work location and environment, for example, will need a major overhaul to address health, safety, and comfort needs while also supporting a future workplace that will enable the organization to continue delivering on its mission for the future.
Planning Tip – Take a closer look at future service contracts for hotel conference services, room blocks, food and beverage services, audio/visual services, and other conference and meeting services. Standard contracts of the past do not cover new health, safety, and operational challenges. Review health and safety support measures and guest comfort and experience services that may be suspended like cleaning services, club lounges, and other amenities. Attendees could be disappointed with the experience or feel uncomfortable with safety measures. Your organization might have to provide these services or respond to requests for refunds.
The ASAE Annual Meeting was filled with stories of nonprofits that have persevered through a time of great change with high energy and bold decision-making. Nonprofits will need to keep their “foot on the gas” and continue innovating and embracing change. To do this we need to listen with great purpose, keep an open mind to new ideas, respect the sharing of diverse opinions, and not be afraid to dump old management techniques and habits.
