Why an Association Management Company?

The phenomenal growth of trade associations and professional societies has dramatically increased the need for effective, professional management.

But the traditional answers -- a major investment in full-time staff and office facilities or operating with volunteers who often lack time, experience and expertise in key areas -- result in high overhead and headaches because long-term goals frequently get lost in day-to-day details.

The concept of association management has existed for more than 100 years and remains an alternative to this situation, one that offers advantages that associations and societies are rapidly discovering - the association management company.

Centers for Professionalism and Service
An association management company is a firm of skilled professionals whose goal is to provide management expertise and specialized administrative services to associations and societies in an efficient, cost-effective manner.

Be they large or small trade associations or professional societies, all volunteer organizations continually need to evaluate their goals and objectives, then select the management framework that is right for them. Simply put, maintaining a full-time staff and office space may not be cost- or time-efficient for most associations.

Shared Resources Provide Value and Expertise
Based on the concept of shared resources, The Sherwood Group provides volunteer organizations with the expertise they need, when they need it -- a consistent headquarters team of association professionals. Plus, specialists are assigned on an as-needed basis to designated projects. For example, a publications editor coordinates a monthly newsletter, technical journal or magazine; an exhibits manager oversees the annual meeting trade show; a research team is created to assist with special projects; an accountant manages finances; or additional support staff helps with membership projects.

Thus, associations enjoy the best of both worlds: the professional expertise of top specialists for all programs and projects for significantly less than the cost to hire full-time staff. Management firms also shield organizations from the increasingly complex liabilities of directly employing personnel.

Resources You Need, When You Need Them
Association management companies like The Sherwood Group provide a centralized office that serves as your headquarters. The overhead costs for this office are shared by many associations and professional societies. In this way, The Sherwood Group's clients enjoy an increase in resources -- and benefit from the latest in advanced technology and professional equipment -- without a major capital investment.

Since our staff professionals are assigned on an as-needed basis, client service is customized to meet specific tasks. This, in turn, allows flexibility to meet the challenges of changing policies, programs and leadership.

Courtesy of Institute of Association Management Companies