ASAE magazine - further into digital; new definition for 'association lobbyist'
ASAE will roll out a new look and approach for its flagship publication, Associations Now, with an emphasis on electronic publishing.
This was among the announcements made at the group's annual meeting this week in Dallas. Announced numbers were 5,402, a 7% bump up from last year's meeting in St. Louis; 2,757 were association professionals. A projected 20% who attended the ASAE meeting will book a meeting in Dallas.
A new look for Associations Now, ASAE's flagship publication, is slated to debut in October. Not only is the print edition being redesigned, but the approach to Associations Now is moving largely to a digital format. A microsite is being developed for the magazine, as well as daily newsletters on membership, technology, leadership, business operations and meetings.
Content will be aggregated from ASAE's own database, members' content and third parties.
A mobile app also will debut with formatting for tablet and mobile phone use.
Other new ventures for the ASAE include licensing its content and a deal with publishing firm Josey Bass to produce several hardback books a year.
ASAE board action
At the meeting, the ASAE board approved continued support and development of the Power of A campaign, revisions to association lobbyist guidelines, and a new Diversity & Inclusion case statement for associations. This case statement includes why pursuing diversity in the workplace is a good business model for associations. One of the tools ASAE will introduce is a Diversity and Inclusion Index, so that associations can benchmark themselves on how well they are doing with D&I.
ASAE CEO John Graham IV, CAE, said the ASAE Foundation is continuing to review its products, but also is moving forward with innovation grants, designed to cultivate new ideas in association management. Two grants each will be given for travel - allowing associations to pursue an innovative idea - and for exploration, which allows associations invest in an innovative idea. Michelle Mason, CQIA, FASAE, CAE, managing director, American Society for Quality, Milwaukee, heads the committee for the innovation grants.
The board also updated guidelines for lobbyists. This includes redefining “association lobbyist” to include in-house and contract lobbyists hired by an association. Also, the board approved more concise language regarding policy process, compliance, policy process, and conflict of interest. Details: www.asaecenter.org.
