NAFTZ – a peek behind the scenes and a comparison to national trends

As an admitted “association geek” and CAE (Certified Association Executive), I am passionate about the work that associations do and believe all associations add to the quality of life of all.  The non-profit sector is one of the largest, but lesser recognized sectors of the U.S. economy.  A number of organizations conduct various reports, studies and benchmarks on the non-profit sector, so it is a practice of mine to keep abreast of these reports and data. 

In reviewing a recent newsletter from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), they referenced the new Nonprofit Standards Benchmarking Survey conducted by BDO for the 7^th year and found it interesting to compare NAFTZ’s recent efforts in response to the post-pandemic environment in which we operate – with inflation being on of the most significant areas impacting association operations nationwide and around the globe.  BDO summarized the annual report’s results by saying, “Amid persistent inflation-driven rises in operating costs, a changing charitable giving landscape, and economic uncertainty, now is the time for nonprofits to invest in transforming their organizations so they have the necessary resources to advance their missions for the long term. This may include identifying opportunities to create efficiencies, focusing resources on programs that have the greatest impact, and investing in technology that enhances how people, programs, and technology work together.”

These words ring true for NAFTZ and summarize many of the changes and updates NAFTZ has undertaken over the past two years.  Hopefully you have noticed an improved member experience with the change in our Association Management System in early 2023.  Providing members with direct access to on-line resources and improved on-line interactions such as registering for conferences and events were critical deciding factors in selection our new system.  However, this was only one of many criteria.  Our new system has allowed us integrate our other financial systems for real-time data transfer between accounting, payables and credit card systems – while also providing high levels of transparency for the board and executive committee into the daily transactions of the association. 

The BDO report highlighted digital transformation, reducing costs, and new sources of revenue as the top three priorities for non-profit sector organizations over the next 12 months.  NAFTZ has been working on these three priorities for nearly two years, and it’s allowed NAFTZ to focus our resources where our volunteer leadership believes we will have the most impact:  advocacy.  We’ve been talking about advocacy a lot over the past year so I’ll not go into details here.  But this is not the only area we’re updating.  In the coming weeks, you will hear more about our upcoming updates to our Program Committee process.  Our Program Committee members are among the hardest working teams we have, but have an opportunity to make the process more efficient for the committee, staff and our speakers.  We’re in the initial stages of this specific effort and will report updates as they are available.  These updates will are another example of how NAFTZ is working to “invest in technology that enhances how people, programs, and technology work together”.

As far as the other priorities mentioned above, we’re making adjustments to our in-person events to lower costs and gain efficiencies such as the co-location of the stand-alone Fundamentals course and Legislative Summit in DC this past February and next.  We’re also keenly aware of the importance of introducing advocacy to those newer to the field attending Fundamentals, and the co-location of these events does just that.  More impact with lower costs.

Finally, new sources of revenue.  NAFTZ recently just launched a new sponsorship program and new on-line public directory of FTZ services and we are contacted regularly by non-members and organizations investigating the FTZ opportunity.  This new public-facing directory is a service NAFTZ members (primarily our service providers and grantees) can engage in to showcase their offerings to the non-member community.  This new opportunity doesn’t change the fact that all members have access to the full member directory inside the NAFTZ InfoHub when one logs into www.naftz.org. 

I want all members to know that your volunteer leadership and staff team works hard behind the scenes to be the best steward of your dues, registration and sponsorship dollars and provide you with the best resources, services and information.