Frequently Asked Questions
We know you have questions so we have listed the most asked questions so you can get quick answers.
Frequently asked questions
General Association Management questions
What is an AMC?
An Association Management Company (AMC) is a professional service firm that provides management and administration services to non-profit professional and trade associations. AMCs help these organizations develop and achieve their goals through increasing efficiency, enabling scalability, and allowing volunteers and full-time staff to spend more of their time focused on their responsibilities and, ultimately, meaningful mission-driven work.
What services do AMCs typically provide?
AMCs offer a wide range of services, including strategic planning, membership management, event planning and execution, financial management, marketing and communications, board support, and governance assistance. These services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each association.
Does Avlo Solutions provide consulting in other areas?
Avlo’s specialized team members can consult on board orientations, strategic planning, consulting, and coaching, board retreat facilitation, bylaws development, amendments, and compliance, policy & procedure development, revisions, and compliance, non-dues revenue, volunteer recruitment and engagement strategies, member retention, and more.
What is fractional staffing?
Avlo Solutions utilizes fractional staffing under an FTE construct to provide a team of skilled professionals, catered specifically for the success of your association, that are unhindered by the bounds of a scope of work contract. Instead, we provide the expertise and manpower when needed because we understand that the needs of the association are dynamic and the demand for staff is also dynamic depending on the time of year, volunteer involvement, turnover, etc.
What is an FTE?
A Full-Time Equivalent, or FTE, is a unit of measurement to present the number of full-time hours worked by an employee. 1 FTE is based upon a 40-hour work week. Avlo Solutions uses FTE to represent an association’s need for AMC work. For example, an association that needs 0.5 FTE needs 80 hours of association work per month.
Strategy
Do I need a strategic plan?
Yes! A strategic plan provides the framework for an association to successfully achieve its long-term objectives and goals. Having a good (and current) strategic plan increases the effectiveness of day-today operations, increases buy-in, motivation, and collaboration of volunteers and staff, informs decision making, helps direct resources toward appropriate efforts, and helps your organization realize its goals.
Can Avlo Solutions help us with our strategic planning?
Yes, Avlo can provide the “outside-in” look your association needs and step your board through the strategic planning process, leaving a lasting and impactful strategy with achievable and measurable objectives and goals.
How will Avlo help us be strategic about our operations?
Our team understands the importance of a strategic plan and thoughtfully considers the plan and the board’s intent when conducting any form of operations for your association. We will help guide your team through the strategy and focus your valuable resources on achieving your goals.
Why is it important to be strategic about our operations?
If done correctly, a strategic plan has everything an association needs to meet objectives, check off goals, and work toward its vision. That said, if your association is expending resources (manpower, money, etc.) on something that is not aligned with the strategy, it could be a distraction and will not progress the association as planned. Avlo can help keep your team focused on the mission at hand.
How does Avlo ensure the unique needs and goals of our organization are met?
Avlo will work closely with your organization’s leadership to understand your mission, vision, and specific goals. We develop customized management plans and provide regular updates and feedback. This collaborative approach ensures that the AMC’s efforts are aligned with your organization’s objectives.
Operations
What does operations mean/include?
Operations include a wide variety of areas that make up the day-to-day functions of an organization, including membership management, event planning and execution, financial management, marketing and communications, board support, governance assistance, etc. These services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each association we serve.
We don’t need all the services offered by Avlo Solutions, so may we get help with one or a few areas?
Not a problem. Avlo will create a tailored solution to meet the needs of your association today and have the flexibility to increase services as you need them later.
Who will be on my team?
We will create a custom team based upon the needs of your association, ranging from small to large, that could include anything from executive leadership to marketing or bookkeeping experts. We will work with you to ensure every area of need is met.
How it Works
Will my association’s members know that we’re partnering with an association mangement company?
That’s completely up to you. Generally, we white label everything, so only your key volunteers may know. We’ll adopt your branding and appear to your members as champions of your organization’s missions. However, if your leadership prefers a clear distinction between us and you, we can do that too. Most of our clients prefer our services to be white labeled. Unlike our competitors, there’s no additional cost for this service.
We have some full-time direct-hire staff, what role can Avlo Solutions play?
We can complement your staff by coming alongside them to work on projects, provide consulting services, or take care of some of the routine or monotonous work.
What kind of specialists do you have on staff?
Our global team is composed of talented individuals with experience that spans all specialties and industries. Many of our team members bring valuable experience from previous work with associations while others have for-profit sector knowledge. We also have specialists who can help associations with specific services, like strategic planning and consulting, meeting and event management, membership management, marketing, or continuing education. Some of our staff have industry specific certifications such as Certified Association Executive (CAE), which demonstrates their ethical and career commitment to their work in association management.
Why should I hire an AMC instead of hiring in-house positions?
When it comes to hiring in-house, it can be difficult to find specialists your organization needs to handle day-to-day operations as well as special projects that lead to the accomplishment of the strategic plan. New hires will typically have a specialty and won’t be able to fill multiple roles within your association, which can add up in the long run for payroll expenses (not to mention the additional overhead of supplies, taxes, etc.). With an association management company, you have access to any kind of association expert you need, even if we need to source that specialist for you. Avlo Solutions takes the headache out of staffing as we supplement your team with our experts, all in one place. Partnering with an AMC helps you reduce your overhead and streamline your operations, so that your team can focus on achieving your long-term vision.
How does partnering with Avlo Solutions work?
Partnering with an AMC typically includes three stages: the proposal and mutual interview, the transition, and the day-to-day management. As you move through these stages, your team and Avlo Solutions can work together to find the workflows, processes, and team arrangements that work best for you and your goals as they ebb and flow.
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