NATLE FYI

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The Winter Meeting room block at the Fontainebleau Hotel is almost full and AAJ is working on nearby AirBnBs and hotels.  I don’t have any special leverage or secret stash of rooms, so when they’re out, they’re out.  The brochure has been uploaded to the event page, though check back often for updates.  Namely, the first morning will incorporate multiple topics rather than one keynote speaker.  The sooner you register the better rate you’ll receive!

The deadline to submit the CEO Compensation Survey is tonight.  A reminder email with your personalized link was sent Wednesday a.m. from Courtney at The Spark Mill, the consultant who conducted our 2022 Survey.  The Working Group will follow up with the not-yet-submitted EDs next week and beyond so we can gather the most data and provide the most relevant and useful results to you.  The responses are confidential and the connection through the link is just so TSM can let us know who’s responded and who hasn’t. 

A while back, I put out a call for anyone using Asana to give me their contact with the company.  My interest stemmed from a Listserv discussion and the seeds for a 4th Monday Zoom Series session were planted.  We now have traction on the idea, so stay tuned for an announcement of a session in February.

We shifted the dates of the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference up a day to Nov 8-10.  The program will begin on Saturday instead of Sunday and we’ll be in lovely Kansas City, MO, known for its many fountains.  A Planning Committee will be formed in May to begin working on the program.  If you are interested in being involved, please let me know. 

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend and wonderful holidays for all who celebrate Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanzaa-kkah and Boxing Day!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I really appreciate receiving your TLA magazines here at “NATLE HQ”.  I’ve noticed a few articles lately have touched on the topic of self care and mental health.  I know a handful of you who have shared that biking, hiking, and travel-related activities fit the bill.  For me, it’s exercise.  I’ve mentioned my passion for Pure Barre in this space before.  I’m not into the go-all-out-‘til-you-drop nonsense.  I enjoy a more modest 50-minute 5-days a week class that gets me out of the house, where I get a good dose of human interaction and have made lasting friendships.  I’m competitive with myself and wear a Fitbit and a heartrate monitor that gives me points and milestone badges.  The studio always has a challenge running to keep us motivated and we tend to be rather “sticker-driven”.  This is how I keep myself on an even keel through whatever crops up, like dealing with Dad’s fourth debit card hack this year.  Argh.  Exercise is my antidote for stress and you can bet I worked it out this week!

Good Morning and Happy Friday (the 13th)!

The Winter Meeting brochure is almost ready as the Planning Committee is finalizing the last pieces.  The Early Bird registration rate expires Sunday night, so be sure to register and save!

All executive directors/CEOs have received the new Compensation Survey directly from The Spark Mill, the consultant who conducted our 2022 Survey.  The Working Group spent time and effort to rework the previous questions to produce answers that will be more relevant and useful as you approach your own budgets.  I’ve heard from a few who have completed it already and it is quick and easy. 

Save the dates of November 8-10 for the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference in Kansas City, MO.  The contract is signed ‘n sealed, and a Planning Committee will be formed in May to begin working on the program.  If you are interested in being involved, please let me know.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I like day-hiking, especially when I know my car is waiting for me at the end of the trail and a shower is in the not-too-distant future.  Hikes are even better when shared with friends.  I’m bad at being the instigator – I always kick myself for not coming up with a great idea when I hear it from someone else – so, I was quick to say “I’m in” when my friend and reliable sushi buddy, Sara, floated the idea of hiking in the Shenandoah National Park along with a third friend, Amy.  I’ve never traveled specifically for a hiking trip, so this will be new.  This 4-day, women-only hike is organized through REI and is lodge-based, which is KEY and, unlike backpacking, means that we won’t be carrying a week’s worth of our food and clothing, plus sleeping bag and tent.  That, for me, would suck the enjoyment out of it.  Instead, we’ll stay at a rustic inn and take off each morning for a new trail.  The trip is booked for the last week in May and we all bought our plane tickets yesterday.  I can’t wait!

P.P.S. The youngest member of the NATLE family turns 2 on Sunday…Happy Birthday Clifford Hinkle!

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

This was a quick week, but busy and I’ll fill you in down in the P.S.  The follow-up housekeeping from the GAC is in the rearview mirror, so I’ve been able to focus on yearend tasks, as well as the Winter Meeting in February.  You have one more week to register at the Early Bird rate.

We are shifting the dates of the 2025 GAC up a day so the plenary sessions will begin on Saturday morning (Nov. 8).  This will hopefully help those who find it more difficult to be away from the office during the week.  I’m signing the contract with The Fontaine Hotel in Kansas City, MO, this afternoon.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I returned last night from a quick round-trip, less-than-24-hours overnight in Newport, RI.  Wait, you say, weren’t you JUST in Newport?  Why yes, I reply, but this was a separate return visit so I could meet with representatives from properties from around the country that are prime candidates for a NATLE conference, board retreat, OR more crucially, a possibility for your TLA conferences.  With a referral and introduction from Elyssa Tosh, Director of Programs & Events with the Maryland Association for Justice, I joined the Beyond Collection (BC) a few months ago.  At the basic level, it’s a searchable database of pre-vetted, high-end properties that want to court groups from all industries.  It’s also a helpful listserv, RFP generator, and resource for finding properties with the amenities that meet your specs.  We gathered at the Hammetts Hotel in the heart of downtown Newport on Wednesday afternoon for an orientation and site tour.  Then, we walked a block to the Sailing Museum for a reception and dinner.  I was one of 20 meeting planners in attendance to meet that many “partner properties”, and in a low-stress, casual, and fun environment, we were able to exchange lessons learned, referrals, and make new friends in the same business of planning meetings.  Yesterday was a working (roundtable) breakfast before the “marketplace” sessions…more like speed dating.  Based on our previously submitted typical space needs, meeting planners were “assigned” 15-minute slots with 9-10 property reps.  Most of us had already, at least peripherally, met all 40 attendees, so we didn’t need to spend time introducing ourselves and our parameters.  With each property, I also worked in the fun fact that I represent 66 associations who all conduct their own conferences, retreats, etc.  This was my first BC event and I was impressed with the seamless organization, ease of engagement and instant camaraderie.  (As a bonus, the accommodations and meals were fully sponsored and I just covered the gas…IOW, no cost to NATLE.)  I look forward to working with this group in the future and making introductions between you and these properties.  I’m interested to hear if you’re already in this group, or if not and you’d like to be, let me know and I’ll get you connected!

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

It was a quiet, short week at NATLE HQ!

You have two more weeks to register for the Winter Meeting at the Early Bird rate.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap. Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…As most of the U.S. wakes from a turkey coma – either on the couch in front of an infomercial for a set of holiday-themed macrame potholders at 3am or in the doghouse (if you dared to talk politics with your relatives over the pumpkin pie) – it’s Black Friday, the day when half the population gets up to brave (or be) aggressive drivers fighting for the last parking spot at the Mall and the grumpy crowds battling it out for the latest gadget to make their kid still believe there truly is a Santa Claus.  (Sorry, perhaps I should have started with a Spoiler Alert.)  I have been liberated from the burden of holiday shopping.  The enjoyment ceased when it became merely an exchange with far-flung relatives of catalog pages, item numbers, sizes, and preferred colors.  Close to home, though, my mother made it fun with the real care and thought she put into each gift from its practicality to the tag that was always a clever riddle referring to the contents.  I’m no Bah Humbug Betty, I just prefer to think of the upcoming holidays as a time to spend relaxing with friends over comforting food and good conversation.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The final draft of the CEO Compensation Survey is with the Working Group and will be distributed by The Spark Mill during the first week of December.

The evaluation form submissions from the Governmental Affairs Conference petered at only 13.  Comments were constructive and useful to the Planning Committee.

The NATLE Amicus Listserv has expanded over the past week to help keep your committee chairs/liaisons aware of the work coming from AAJ.  If you need a reminder as to who from your TLA is a member of the Listserv and/or want to add yourself, send me a note.  It hasn’t been active for at least the past three years, so not receiving emails doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not on it!

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend and (for those in the US) a wonderful Thanksgiving!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I shudder to think how many of my brain cells have shriveled up and died this week.  My contractor came back to paint the wall around the new door out onto the deck off my office and I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to paint the whole room.  In choosing the color, I strayed slightly away from my comfort zone of neutral.  It’s still firmly in the “tan” family, but for me it’s a bold choice.  Anyway, he’s been able to fit me into his schedule over three days this week and it’s taking two coats for the best coverage.  It’s the last room in the house that I’m getting around to since I moved back in in 2012, so it was a little like ripping the band-aid off when I took down the 30 or so framed photos and paintings of loons and great blue herons – Mom loved both, equally.  With everything pushed into the middle of the room, navigating the piles is akin to a corn maze, though I’m just tall enough to be able to see where I’m going.  Todd, my trusty contractor, will finish up today, so I’ll spend at least some of the time off next week to rearrange and reorganize.  Hopefully, the next time you see me on a Zoom screen all will be settled and in order.  Have a peaceful Thanksgiving and I hope you’re able to spend it with family and friends.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Kudos to the 2024 Governmental Affairs Conference Planning Committee (Joel Carlson, Daniel Hinkle, Joan Maloney, Chris Nichols, Valerie O’Brien, Lisa St. Pierre, Sara Schuett, and Larry Shannon) for a well-planned and executed program.  Topics were timely and relevant, presenters were prepared and engaging, and the social events (Trolley Ride & Mansion Tour, Happy Hour at The Fastnet Pub (sponsored by Esquire Bank), and an evening at the Brick Alley Pub (sponsored by TrialSmith/MC/SW and Counsel Financial), were a blast.  The choice of location was in Joan’s bucket as NATLE President and Newport was a win by checking all the boxes.

The evaluation form submissions on the GAC have slowed to a trickle after an early flurry.  We have received only nine, so far.  Not only do the replies help inform the programming and events, F&B and A/V, for future conferences, but they also help me provide specific feedback to the presenters and our sponsors.  Please submit your anonymous evaluation as soon as you get a chance.

I’ll be working with Trish Hudson of the Melos Institute on how to make the most of her time with us during the 2025 NATLE Winter Meeting in Miami (Feb 15-16).  She is interested in meeting one-on-one with a handful of TLAs during the conference, so once we talk about her approach and criteria, I’ll start gathering interest statements.  I haven’t had much free time these past few weeks to read her book, The Member Engagement Paradox, but three chapters in, I can attest that it’s relatable right from page one.  If you’re interested in getting a jumpstart on the principals of relation-based associations, it's available on the Melos website.  The registration and hotel reservation pages are live, so if you need to get the expense in for 2024, there’s nothing standing in your way!  The program theme, “From Prospect to President: Creating a Culture of Commitment” is taking shape and topics will revolve around the common experience of engaging and retaining members.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I used to work with a woman who couldn’t stomach the sight of roadkill.  In nice weather, we’d go for walks at lunchtime and when we’d approach a flattened squirrel, I’d just say, “Don’t worry, it’s just sleeping.”  It didn’t help her, but it made me feel better.  There are a lot of squirrels (and skunks, but I won’t go there again) in my area, and local Ring cams have caught an increasing number of visits from black bears.  Fun fact, about 20 years ago, my mother found moose tracks in her veggie garden.  Unfortunately, it was a young bull that may have had a brain worm that caused its disoriented trip to the big city.  Anyway, there were a lot of animals “sleeping” along my route down to Newport.  Distracting me from the carnage, was a steady NPR signal.  It’s a good thing that I’m a news junkie, because I forgot my CDs.  Road trips always bring out the classics – Aerosmith and Def Leppard, Foreigner and Styx – all of which I can sing along with at the top of my lungs!

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The registration and hotel reservation pages for our Winter Meeting in Miami (Feb 15-16) are live, so if you need to get the expense in for 2024, there’s no stopping you!  The program themed, “From Prospect to President: Creating a Culture of Commitment” is taking shape and topics will revolve around the common experience of engaging and retaining members.  I’m 99.44% sure that Trish Hudson of the Melos Institute is our keynote speaker on Saturday and we’re talking about offering one-on-one “clinics” with her during the conference.  If you’re interested in getting a jumpstart on the principals of relation-based associations, her book, The Member Engagement Paradox, is available on the website.  I have a copy and look forward to cracking it open later today.  This will be a program that benefits not only executive directors, but all staff, especially membership and development managers.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…It’s a beautiful morning here in Vermont.  I just need to pack the car with the GAC loot and leave for Newport.  To the 83 registrants, I’ll see you soon.  To all who can’t be in Newport, enjoy your (long?) weekend, you’ll be missed, and I hope to see you at the Winter Meeting.

P.P.S. Here’s an example of how my brain works.  A full two weeks ago, in this space, I typed the phrase “woah-is-me”.  A week later, I woke up at 2:15am and thought, “oh drat, that was supposed to be ‘woe-is-me', how embarrassing.”

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

We have two seats left on the Newport Trolley Ride & Mansion Tour, leaving the Hotel Viking on Saturday (Nov 9) at 2pm, so let me know if you’d like one or both.

Our 2nd dues renewal notices finally went out on Wednesday and while the process through MemberCentral is getting better, we still don’t have a pay-for-the-whole-association-at-once button.  Perhaps if we all ring that bell, its development might move up to the front burner.  In my mind, ideally, an email will go to the executive director with a list of the association’s NATLE members along with selection boxes to uncheck if someone has left.  I’d like to think that would be logical for your attorney members’ firms, too.

The registration and hotel reservation pages for our Winter Meeting in Miami (Feb 15-16) are live, so if you need to get the expense in for 2024, there’s no stopping you!  The program themed, “From Prospect to President: Creating a Culture of Commitment” is taking shape and topics will revolve around the common experience of engaging and retaining members.  I’m 99.44% sure that Trish Hudson of the Melos Institute is our keynote speaker on Saturday and we’re talking about offering one-on-one “clinics” with her during the conference.  If you’re interested in getting a jumpstart on the principals of relation-based associations, her book, The Member Engagement Paradox, is available on the website.  I have a copy and look forward to cracking it open later today.  This will be a program that benefits not only executive directors, but all staff, especially membership and development managers.

The Spark Mill (TSM) will have a review copy of the CEO Compensation Survey for the Working Group next week with plans to distribute by the middle of the month.  The analysis and report will be ready in January.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I know I’m not alone when I say, “I can’t wait for the next week to be over.”  I’m not normally the anxious type, but climate change-induced hurricanes and typhoons, wars in every corner of the world, ICBMs flying around the Far East, not to mention that thing happening next Tuesday…something about picking the next person to serve in the most powerful position on earth, and oh yeah, our upcoming conference, I find myself endlessly staring at the ceiling in the wee hours.  The only glimmer of good news this week came yesterday morning when I woke up to hear that the Dodgers beat the Yankees in an exciting turnaround.  I’m not a huge baseball fan, but c’mon, that was impressive.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The Winter Meeting Planning Committee for Miami (Feb 15-16) has gone gangbusters putting together a program themed, “From Prospect to President: Creating a Culture of Commitment”.  The Committee also met with Trish Hudson of the Melos Institute on Wednesday.  The website is well worth a look to understand the value of their work on membership-based organizations (MBOs) and the impact of a relation-centered approach.  Ms. Hudson is very interested in spending time with NATLE members, not only at the conference in an interactive session, but also in the lead up to February understanding the existing and varied TLA cultures.  She also mentioned conducting an orientation (potentially the Friday evening when we’ll all be in Miami) on how to get the most out of the conference and helping new members make connections with counterparts in other TLAs.  We’re in the early stages, but I can’t overstate her interest in conveying the nuanced differences between transaction-based organizations and relation-based associations, in Relation-Centered Engagement: The Future of Associations.  This will be a program that benefits not only executive directors, but all staff, especially membership and development managers, though it has been said that everyone on staff is responsible for recruiting and retaining members.  Registration is open!

The Spark Mill (TSM) has our Working Group’s suggested changes to the questions of the CEO Compensation Survey and I’ve asked TSM to provide an estimated timeline for distribution.  I’ll keep you posted.

We have one seat left on the Newport Trolley Ride & Mansion Tour, on Saturday (Nov 9) at 2pm, so let me know if you’d like it.  Reminders about the trolley ticket invoices went out on Tuesday.  Please submit payment as soon as possible.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…referring back to a P.S. from the first week of July, I attended the memorial for my friend’s older brother on Saturday.  It was held at an historic homestead that has been adopted by the local gardening association – picture a gorgeous setting for summer weddings with an amazing view of the Green Mountains.  After my friend, Patrick, and Phil’s niece and nephew, shared their memories, the floor opened to anyone who wanted to offer their thoughts.  Without exception, everyone remarked on Phil’s positive attitude and resilience in the face of chronic pain due to degenerative scoliosis.  He never played the woah-is-me card, but instead drew upon his education and training in psychology to focus on and engage the other person.  Phil delighted in making up for the years he’d lived out-of-state by spending quality time with his niece and nephew, getting to know them as young adults.  At times, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, but we also shared more than a few laughs.  A perfectly-timed chuckle came when his nephew, Jackson, said he was a little intimidated by how smart Phil was.  One of Phil’s high school classmates piped up with, “You’re not alone!”  It broke the tension and we all relaxed for the rest of the stories that I could have listened to all day.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The CEO Compensation Survey Working Group has finalized its review of the questions used in the 2022 survey.  The Spark Mill (TSM) will now format and distribute the survey as soon as possible.  I can convey the timeline next week.

The results of Staff Salary Survey were delivered to the NATLE Board at its meeting yesterday.  The drafted dashboard is a bit thin as to usefulness, so Steve Pontoni and I will work on additional crosstabs before we distribute.

Reminders on the trolley ticket invoices will go out on Monday.  We have one seat left on the Trolley Ride & Mansion Tour, so let me know if you’d like it.

An initial Planning Committee for NATLE’s 2025 Winter Meeting in Miami met last week and is off to a great start with timely topics and speakers.  If you’ve been looking for a way to get involved in NATLE and have ideas for sessions and/or events, let me know.  The Committee will meet again next week, and every few weeks until we have most of the program confirmed and a brochure drafted.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I haven’t felt more discombobulated than I have this week in years.  It had been about eight years since I’d had both upstairs bathrooms renovated and I wasn’t itchy to make any new changes.  That was, until I noticed the nextdoor neighbor’s addition includes a small deck off their 2nd floor master bedroom.  Eureka!  My office is in the bonus room that my mother had added above the garage that she called her “quilting room”.  Sadly, I don’t yet quilt…I feel like that’s something I won’t be qualified to start until I’m at least into my late 60s.  So, when the WFH movement began, I rearranged and added some office furniture to take advantage of the southern exposure and great light.  The result of my Eureka moment has led to a 10’x20’ deck off the back of my office accessible through a new door.  Starting next spring, I’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors rather than merely glance at it between my two monitors.  My discombobulation comes from getting booted by the contractors while they’ve made noise, drilling, sawing, and hammering.  Yesterday was the most disrupted since the mudder/taper guy was redoing the wall around the new door.  The wifi in the sunroom is spotty and wouldn’t be consistent for the Board meeting, so I shoehorned myself and the laptop into a small spare bedroom with bad lighting.  It all worked out in the end, but lord, how did we ever manage with just one screen?