Labor Day...

Looking forward to recharging my battery this long Labor Day weekend. Going into the sprint to the Annual Meeting and I know it will be here before I know it. How does that always seem to happen?

We're also excited to see so many new members coming into PCMA...WELCOME!

And to those returning - THANK YOU!!!

I'll be back in touch after the weekend!

-christine

Optimism for 2010

If your organization is like PCMA you have or are in the midst of budgeting for 2010. If there ever was a time where I wish I had that crystal ball that would tell me how next year would play out - this is THE time.

Unfortunately I don't (if you do can you please send it my way?)...so I am going to rely on my sense of optimism that the worst is over and 2010 is a year to stabilize and grow.

How have you approached your 2010 budgets? What's your biggest budget challenge and how did you deal with it.

Tips to share???

-Christine

Crowdvine...

Hey there. So PCMA is using a product called Crowdvine to help annual meeting attendees connect with each other and it also filters Tweets and Facebook and all that cool, fun stuff. Today is the first day and it's pretty fun.

Last week at ASAE I attended a lot of sessions about social media and the importance of it in your organization. Below are some nuggets that I learned and hope that you find it helpful.

- Engagement Pyramid - Curators at the top, Producers, Commenters, Sharers and Watchers (at the bottom)
- Can't tell ROI on the technology, but you can tell ROI on the goals for participants in that technology
- Let go of control - in a true relationship you don't own all the control
- Define the sandbox - that is define the walls that the organization is willing to let people play in
- Focus on relationships - not technology
- Start small, but start
- Authenticity - be open
- Bravery - try new things
- Comment on your own blog - as many others might be afraid to "be the first"
- Brand videos with logos
- Keep videos short (under 3 min)
- ROI - create goals against: 1) # of members; 2) # of discussions; 3) # of tweets

Do you have any to share?

-Christine

blogs still worth it...

I was relieved, and a little stressed, to learn at ASAE09 that blogs are still worth it. Relieved because I truly do love to write a blog, but stressed out because I realize I still have so much to learn about effective blogging. Then there is the whole idea around finding enough time in the day to dedicate to a good blog.

So, I'm going to recommit myself to this membership blog - but I'm looking for ideas of other bloggers that you admire and if you have tips to help me stay on top of this. Send them my way.

I'll be back..........

-Christine

Back in the saddle

Hi - I'm back at work. Really it's been 2 months already, but it's taken a little time to get caught up on everything.

We've moved into a lot of Social Media while I was out and I continue to shephard our efforts with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (just started yesterday).

Are you using these technologies?

I'm going to an Association Forum brown bag on Tuesday regarding how associations are using social media for their education...I hope it's good....

Today I'm at Association Forum for a session regarding the 2009 Economic Impact on Associations that McKinley Marketing produced. HIGH expectations on this to hear and learn some good stuff to help us out.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Christine

Getting ready for two babies!

I know a lot of you juggle the responsibilities of home and work life fairly well, and some continue to struggle. I thought I'd share with you how I'm doing trying to prepare for two babies....

One isn't actually a real baby, it's our Annual Meeting (January 11-14) in New Orleans. But it's a baby in my eyes because this year I'm going to miss it. Yes, that's right, I'm not going. BUT, before you get worried - it's because I'm preparing for a real baby. I'm due December 27 and the timing is just a little off...to say the least.

So my head has been in the office getting the team prepared and all the i's and t's crossed so that when my membership team gets onsite they'll be able to execute flawlessly.

Am I the only one who has had to deal with this situation? I can't imagine I am - I would love your feedback on how you prepared to put on your biggest event of the year and figure out how to get everything/everyone ready to work while you're out on maternity leave. The question of the ages perhaps....

-christine

Preparing for ASAE

From what I know of our members you all look forward to the PCMA Annual Meeting to get the most up-to-date information available and come back refreshed and with new innovative ideas. For you, the 2009 Annual Meeting (Jan 11-14, 2009 in New Orleans) will NOT disappoint. Stay tuned for more information on the creative things we are planning and the exceptional education (what else would we provide?!) that will be available.

For me, as a professional in the membership arena, I look forward to the ASAE Annual Meeting with the same anticipation. I'm getting ready to go (August 16) and have been scouring the website and the program trying to decide which sessions to attend. I've come the realization that I truly cannot clone myself and go to 2-4 sessions at the same time...darn it.

If you'll be in San Diego for ASAE look for me - I'll be the woman running from session to session getting as much information as possible!!!

-christine