Guidance Notes

Board Protocol

Developing a CPD policy

Across the UK workforce, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is expected of individual professionals in most sectors. It is generally governed by sector-specific professional bodies or regulators. Employers also increasingly expect their staff to undertake CPD and may even measure them on it.

Speaker Guidelines

Thank you for agreeing to take part in the Society of Association Management seminar programme. We hope you will find these brief guidelines helpful to you in preparing your presentation.

Succession Planning

Associations that consider their own sustainability will also develop plans for smooth and thoughtful transitions of leadership. Whether a transition occurs due to an unexpected vacancy, or the anticipated transition of a long-tenured leader, being ready with a plan in place can help weather the inevitable challenges of leadership transition.

Association Award Schemes

The guidance note seeks to address issues arising from larger scale awards programmes and ceremonies whether or not they may be designed to return a financial income to the association.

Trade Association Disciplinary Procedure

This is an example of a disciplinary procedure, for use by an association to assist in formulating the necessary policy. This is most relevant to trade associations, as opposed to professional institutes.

Organisation of Committee Meetings - A Basic Guide

The guidance note assists with the organisation of committee meetings.

Lobbying Guide

There has been much activity in the EU and the UK on the issue of lobbying in recent years. While interest representation is accepted as a legitimate part of a democratic process, there have been instances where transparency became opaque. 

Helpful Hints for Successful Presentations

This template is intended to assist you in getting the best from speakers at your association events. It aims to provide practical information on procedures and to help you to set out what you hope that event will achieve for your members.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

GDPR will not fundamentally change data or how we choose to use data. However, it will make organisations take a closer look at why they keep data, how it is used and the length of time information is retained. 

Data and Research

No decision can be made without the use of data and data will be generated by research. Whether it is something as basic as the need to carry an umbrella if the weather is changing, to when to launch a new product to gain the greatest return. 

Recruitment and Retention for Trade Associations and Professional Bodies

Since Members are vital for any organisation a recruitment strategy is necessary to ensure the maximum value is made from any prospective lead. 

Drafting a Code of Professional Conduct

This outline Code is a statement of best practice to which each Association or Organisation should be expected to adhere to. Each Association or Organisation should consider a requirement on their members to also commit to adhere to it.

Relationship Between the Chairman & the Chief Executive Officer

This guidance note outlines the guiding principles and responsibilities for the complementary roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in an Association.

Considerations when formulating a health and safety policy

Many Associations are asked by their Members for assistance and guidance in formulating a health and safety policy. This is usually in a request for a standard policy to be used. The production of such a “standard” policy should be avoided as it is vital that all companies producing their health and safety policy go through the necessary considerations for their own specific activities and formulate safe working practices for such activities.

Coming Soon...

Further guidance notes to follow.