Why use an AMC?


AMCs can be a smart choice for many associations, because of the wide array of benefits and advantages they offer. Success for AMCs is completely contingent upon the successes they achieve for the associations they manage. That’s why you’ll find that ACM professionals are passionate about what we do on your behalf. At every level, AMC professionals are committed to your vision, your mission, your membership while also concentrating on optimizing efficiency, streamlining expenditures and keeping the organization on track toward long-term growth and achievement.

Operational & Staffing Benefits
  • Staffing and services customized to meet each individual organization’s needs.
  • A broad spectrum of expertise covering all the disciplines required to run an effective association.
  • Day-to-day and ongoing staff management, alleviating administrative headaches often faced by association Boards of Directors.
  • Improved staffing and resource allocation, giving each association access to specialized resources – just what you need when you need it.
  • Proven best management practices and best-of-class resources and technologies. 
 Financial/Business Benefits
 
  • Efficiencies derived from leveraging shared resources, including office space, equipment and technologies.
  • Improved buying power since purchases can be leveraged across multiple clients.
  • Reduced business risks because an AMC takes on many of the insurance liabilities associated with operating an association.
 Long-Term Benefits
 
  • Greater member satisfaction resulting from the professionalism and responsiveness of staff who understand the importance of placing members first.
  • Freedom from daily operations that allows Boards to maintain their focus on mission and strategy.
  • Integration of innovative strategies and ideas, stemming from the input and experience AMCs gain from working with multiple industry and professional organizations.
  • Scalable to accommodate organizational growth or contraction over time.

ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

 

Option        Strengths        Challenges
 
   
Member Volunteers
  • Strong commitment to organization
  • Understand organization's mission
  • Lower direct costs
  • Limited time availability
  • Not experts at nonprofit organization management and operations
  • Leadership turnover creates inconsistencies
  • Potential for conflicts of interest
  • Missed opportunities for income producing activities due to lack of time/expertise
Employed Staff
  • 100% "ownership" of all paid staff and association resources
  • Good opportunity for staff continuity
  • High overhead costs and long-term commitments (e.g. office space, equipment, operating systems, furniture)
  • Possible challenges in staffing key positions given competitive compensation costs for highly qualified, full-time staff
  • Risks associated with being an employer
  • Requires more leadership time on administrative, operational functions
AMC-Administered
  • Understand the nonprofit environment, dynamics
  • Cost effective extension, administrative support for board and/or staff initiatives
  • Depth and breadth of staff experience allows AMCs to plug in quickly to a project
  • Scope of work and mutual expectations must be clearly defined and stated
AMC-Managed
  • Experts in association management and operations
  • Lower overhead
  • Expertise in multiple disciplines
  • Flexible staffing in times of growth or downsizing
  • Eliminates many typical legal risks associated with employee management
  • Easily accessible knowledge, experience from other associations
  • Continuity
  • Scope of work and mutual expectations must be clearly defined and stated
  • Specific industry knowledge/expertise sometimes must be developed or acquired