FeaturesNow

15 Warning Signs of a Great Association

What are the characteristics of associations full of energy and enthusiasm?  A few answers:  Bouts of great leadership.  Chronic good news.  Exaggerated sense of service.  This fresh, upbeat article "diagnoses" fifteen of these "warning signs."  Great for any association periodical!  629 words.  [Feature 0412]

Your Association Board: Test Your Vocabulary

When your readers hear about the work of your association board's standing committees or hear references to "due diligence," do they understand the meaning of those terms?  More important, do they know the language of the association board and organization?  By completing this simple vocabulary quiz, they'll test their knowledge and learn important terms at the same time.  504 words.  [Feature 0410]

Twenty Ways to Make this Year's Convention Your Best Ever

This year's convention is more than the keynote session, educational seminars, sightseeing, and the trade show floor.  Help readers make this year's convention really count by encouraging them to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and business opportunities it offers.  Editor's Note:  By shortening this feature to "Fifteen Ways ...," "Thirteen Ways ...," or any other number, you can fit the text to whatever space is available  983 words.  [Feature 0401]

Imagine ... a World without Associations

Commerce would still exist in a world without associations, but think about what would be missing:  legislative advocacy, a forum for networking, high-quality professional education industry standards, and much, much more.  This 'what-if' article vividly reminds readers why trade and professional organizations are so important in today's world.  929 words.  [Feature 0319]

Association Scrapbook (filler collection)

This is an exciting collection of 65+ short features on a wide range of timely subjects:  planning productive association meetings ... building association loyalty ... exercising leadership ... fostering interest in upcoming conventions ... and more.  Every feature is designed to reinforce association commitment and involvement with practical information readers can use right away.  Feature are great as last-minute fillers, stand-alone pieces, or as the core of longer articles presented by your association leadership.  A must for association periodicals.  14,722 words (more than 65 mini-features).  [Feature 0310]

One Dozen Secret Benefits of Your Next Convention

Trade and professional conventions offer more than new product exhibits and discussions of needs.  They offer secret benefits, such as insights into unique hospitality techniques, solutions to troublesome problems in unlikely places, and the chance to pick up product information not widely available.  This feature describes a dozen of these very special benefits.  A perfect vehicle for pre-convention issues.  1200 words.  [Feature 0306]

Ten Myths of Association Membership

When your readers hear a prospective member of their trade association complain that membership "takes too much time," "costs too much," or poses other difficulties, they can pull out this feature.  It summarizes ten association myths that often turn into excuses for not joining.  And it dispels those myths with vigor.  873 words.  [Feature 0305]

How Much Do You Really Know about Your Association?

Have you ever wanted to publish a quiz about the history, activities and plans of your association?  If so, here's a ready-made template:  100 pointed questions that you can use to educate readers and members.  Just insert answers unique to your association.  Easy to edit and easy to shorten if space is tight.  1417 words.  [Feature 0203]

Your Association Periodical: A Treasure Trove of Business Boosters

Most of your readers at least skim your association publication when it arrives.  But if they probe deeper, they'll find a wealth of practical business-building tools at their fingertips.  This feature explains how readers can use your publication as a success tool.  1096 words.  [Feature 0201]

Are You a Great Committee Member? A Quiz for Members of Association and Community Committees

Are your readers bringing critical skills to their committee roles?  They can test their committee-building strengths with this true-false quiz.  970 words.  [Feature 0101]