Association Leadership - September/October 2007 - (Page 23)

Study: for Optimal Results CASE SOLUTION Having diversity that is representative of your association’s key demographics, personalities and leadership styles will typically produce a more effective board. Diversity increases the overall strength of the board by bringing a broader range of ideas and viewpoints to light. All boards are a sum of their parts, and the greater the diversity of the board, the greater the synergistic effect from the aggregation of individual board member’s strengths. Diversity also minimizes the potential for “group think,” which can be deadly to a board’s ability to creatively deal with problems and fully debate issues and alternative solutions. While it is certainly worth the effort to try and ensure a diverse board through nomination and selection, association executives should also understand the importance of proper board orientation once members are selected for the job. We sometimes think people automatically know how a board is supposed to operate and how they as board members are expected to behave. Making that assumption can prove fatal to the effectiveness of a board. A proper orientation session where board members are supplied with information on how they can be most effective, how the board operates and how the organization defines success, puts all board members on a level playing field of knowledge. It also helps set the tone and expectations for performance before the board meets. This process greatly increases the likelihood the board will be successful and operate in a manner yielding positive results for the association. ◆ Located on the grounds of Austin Bergstrom International Airport, the Hilton Austin Airport Hotel is the most convenient location in Austin for business. As the former headquarters building for Bergstrom Air Force Base, experience the unique coliseum-like architecture featuring a stunning 4-story multi-use atrium. Complimentary airport shuttle, spacious guestrooms, high-speed internet, 20,000 square feet of ﬂexible meeting space (including 18 meeting rooms and a 7,000 square foot ballroom), heatedoutdoor pool, and ﬁtness center are just a few of our ﬁrst class amenities. Eve Becker-Doyle, CAE Executive Director National Athletic Trainers Association Hilton Austin Airport A Travel is more than just A to B. Travel should inspire new ideas. B Travel should take you places™ 9515 New Airport Drive Austin, Texas 78719 512-385-6767 www.austinairport.hilton.com www.webeventplanner.com/directory/ hiltonaustinairport September/October 2007 | Association LEADERSHIP 23 335550_HiltonAustin.indd 1 7/23/07 7:27:10 PM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - September/October 2007

Contents Chairman's Column Homepage 60-Second Solutions An Interview with TSAE’s New Chairman TSAE’s Newest Board Members 7 Measures of Success Association Case Study: Diversity on the Board Assessing Your Association: Texas Nursery and Landscape Association TSAE's Annual Golf Tournament Between the Covers Now Online at TSAE.org – Association Leadership Magazine Getting Found Through Web Searches “I Survived a Year on a Committee!” New Members Community Spotlight San Antonio Mississippi Gulf Coast Index to Advertisers Board of Directors

Association Leadership - September/October 2007

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