Following the successful launch of one of our clients (IIIP) on Movable Type (MT), we continue our learning on this robust social media platform by upgrading our own site to MT.

As with the IIIP site, we needed to reevaluate our content for the expanded capabilities of this context-based social media environment. The basic question driving the content was: “What content is purely informational in nature vs. that which is opinion in nature?” The distinguishing feature seemed to be whether or not the content was suitable for reader comment. We are also developing our own association management system within MT to manage client sites as clients choose to move to this platform. The advantages are a true win-win for our clients and for the firm.

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The American Society of Association Executives recently renewed Michael Majdalany’s CAE, certified association executive credential, this highest professional credential in the association industry.

The credential is National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredited.

Less than 5 percent of all association professionals have achieved this credential.

To earn it, candidates must first submit an application satisfying professional experience and education requirements. Successful applicants must next pass an examination on all aspects of association management. The certification must be renewed every three years through additional studies and leadership activities.

All L&M Executive Director Staff are CAE Credentialed
It has been L&M’s firm policy that any staff member serving in the capacity of a client’s chief staff officer (e.g., executive director) will either obtain the CAE credential, or be on the path to earning the credential when they are eligible. Very few AMCs have such a requirement; less than five that we know of. While there are many pluses to such a policy, there is one overriding reason — the role of executive director is so important to the overall success of an association that it should be filled by someone committed to this line of work. Earning the highest professional credential in the field is the best way someone can demonstrate that commitment to the profession.

All L&M senior staff serving clients in a chief staff capacity in the U.S. have earned their CAE credential. It is not relevant outside of the U.S. at this time.

ASAE and the CAE Commission announced last year that the Certified Association Executive (CAE) program has been granted accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA). The announcement of accreditation coincided with the 50^th anniversary of the CAE program.

NCCA accreditation provides independent validation that the CAE program meets or exceeds twenty-one standards concerning various aspects of the certification program including its purpose, structure, governance, psychometric foundation, policies and procedures. Accreditation validates the integrity of the program, and is a mark of quality. Earning accreditation is a public demonstration of ASAE and the CAE Commission’s commitment to the CAE credential as a true professional certification.

On February 2^nd the U.S. Senate voted to repeal the provision of last year’s health care legislation, that if it passes is expected to cause heavy tax information reporting requirements on small businesses AND nonprofit organizations.

The Senate approved an amendment (to an unrelated bill) that would repeal the 1099 requirement. The underlying bill with the amendment intact still has to pass the House of Representatives and be signed by the President to become law.

There appears to be bipartisan support for repeal. The President signaled his support for repeal in his State of the Union address last month. A GOP dominated house should make passage a certainty but if any problems develop with the underlying bill an alternative vehicle will be needed to effect repeal.

L&M wishes to thank Jay Hauck, Esq. of Hauck and Associates, an AMC in Washington, DC for monitoring this important repeal legislation.

MAAWG’s next member meeting will be February 21 – 24 in Orlando, FL. Keynote speakers for this meeting will include Rob McKenna, incoming president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), and David Vladeck, head of the U.S. consumer protection bureau. The focus on the February meeting is the protection of consumers in an evolving cyber future. Click here for more information about MAAWG and the upcoming meeting.

STA Announces 2011 Board of Directors

The SCSI Trade Association elected the 2011 board of directors from their membership at their annual meeting earlier this month. Re-elected to the position as president was Harry Mason of LSI Corp., who will serve as STA president. Also re-elected was Martin Czekalski of Seagate Technology, who will serve as vice president. Two new members, Alan Yoder of NetApp and Dan Reno of Western Digital, joined the Board. All other Board members served last year.

“In 2010, STA introduced our MultiLink SAStm initiative, which we will continue to develop and promote throughout 2011,” said Harry Mason, president of STA. “In addition, STA held the eleventh industry SAS plugfest, which included the first coordinated Mini-SAS active cable testing program. STA has numerous 2011 initiatives focused on advancing every level of tiered storage, including low-latency storage device like SSDs. Industry education through various outlets, including storage conferences, trade shows, electronic journals, and other publications, will continue to be a focus for the organization.

Click here for more information about the 2011 board and 2011 initiatives for STA.