Leaders Blog

Broad recognition of NAIFA’s brand image is directly tied to our success. It is important for the NAIFA federation to commit to establishing brand imagery and sticking to its basic themes. The NAIFA Brand Book provides guidelines to leaders and chapters on the correct usage of the NAIFA logo and brand identity. 

2020 was a year that no one expected. As 2020 comes to a close, it's a good time for leaders to look at lessons worth hanging on to. Mark Athitakis, a contributing editor for Associations Now, outlines four leadership lessons that came out of 2020 that he hopes leaders will hang on to in the years to come. 

With almost a year of virtual meetings under our belt, attendee expectations for virtual meetings are evolving. Attendees now have an idea for what they like and don't like, and associations need to take both into account when planning virtual meetings and conferences in 2021.

The need for hosting programs virtually significantly increased during 2020. If you are looking to host your first virtual chapter program, or improve upon the last one your chapter hosted, we've added a section to the Chapter Playbook highlighting virtual, hybrid and watch party style programs! 

As hosting virtual events continues to be the norm, it can be difficult to keep attendees engaged. Shameka Jennings, MTA, CMP, director of meetings and partnership development at the National Coalition of STD Directors, provides five tips for creating a virtual event agenda that will boost engagement.

Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Making the decision to become a leader is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Leadership opens up opportunities. Opportunities to own fear, uncertainty and doubt. There is also an opportunity to remove any fear from others. 

The answer to the question, "How do I lead well?" is offered up in hundreds of books, articles, podcasts, etc. every year. However, effective leadership comes down to one thing...heart. A leader's heart is focused on serving others first and is not motivated by self-interest, status, position or power. 

In 2020, meetings were held in many different formats. From the in-person events to the virtual (or a combination of the two), many associations included meeting elements that helped them excel in a nontraditional year. Ernie Smith, a social media journalist for Associations Now, highlights the four elements for 2020 meetings that will continue to come in handy during 2021.

Are you looking to achieve high-functioning committees that are essential to support high-functioning boards? If so, Lisa Boylan, senior editor of Associations Now, shares how to build committees the right way to avoid dysfunction. It all starts with training and structure. 

Policies are an essential tool in guiding your chapter. They interpret the governing documents and provide additional clarity and specificity on how they are to be followed, as well as important expressions of granted or limitation of delegated authority. This week, we have added two new policies to the Chapter Playbook that your chapter can download, adopt or amend if necessary. We have added model policies on Conflicts of Interest and Whistleblowers.