While business association members are afforded the opportunity to network at committee meetings, seminars, special events and annual general meetings, paid, full-time staffers have fewer chances to get together to discuss their trade. In fact, some new or weak business associations function without staff and are managed by volunteers from the executive committee. CIPE considers their participation important because the acquisition of sound association management skills will allow them to recognize the virtue of delegating daily operations responsibilities to staff, allowing executives to focus on policy and long-term organizational strategy. Business association leaders sometimes ask how they can justify the costs of training association staff to their members. By developing a professional staff, the association is telling its members that it values their membership and is committed to serving their needs.
Training leads to consistency in association management.
The exposure of staff to standardized methods of internal organizational management leads to the introduction of written policies and procedures. These procedures help staff answer members' inquiries and confront other challenges in an orderly fashion. It improves financial planning and management. Elected volunteers learn to use limited personnel wisely and to lead their organizations better. Training strengthens staff commitment to the association's mission.