60. Rich Yep, Interim CEO of SWANA, on what it takes to be a great association CEO, and the value of the CAE designation

10/05/23 • 20 min

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What does it take to be an association CEO these days? When was the last time your organization performed an assessment of your board and board members?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Richard Yep, Interim Executive Director/CEO, The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Rich discusses:

When and how a chief executive should decide that it’s time to leave an association.
The skills and experiences that association chief executives need, that are relevant to the job, regardless of industry or profession.
How to get to know an association and its members fast, especially when you’re an interim CEO.
The importance of doing an annual assessment of the Board and each Board member.
The increased attention being paid to DEI when looking for association staff and board members.
How everyone at an organization – staff and volunteers – should get unconscious bias training.
How CEOs need to check their egos at the door when working with appointed and elected boards.
The value of getting the CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation.
What’s next for Rich - consulting, travel, and so much more!

References:

What does it take to be an association CEO these days? When was the last time your organization performed an assessment of your board and board members?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Richard Yep, Interim Executive Director/CEO, The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Rich discusses:

When and how a chief executive should decide that it’s time to leave an association.
The skills and experiences that association chief executives need, that are relevant to the job, regardless of industry or profession.
How to get to know an association and its members fast, especially when you’re an interim CEO.
The importance of doing an annual assessment of the Board and each Board member.
The increased attention being paid to DEI when looking for association staff and board members.
How everyone at an organization – staff and volunteers – should get unconscious bias training.
How CEOs need to check their egos at the door when working with appointed and elected boards.
The value of getting the CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation.
What’s next for Rich - consulting, travel, and so much more!

References:

Previous Episode

59. Josie Hernandez, Board President of Association Latinos, on Celebrating and Promoting Members

1 Recommendations

Every organization has DEI targets and goals; where do they find promising members, staff and leaders? How do we create structures and programs that truly uplift members?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Josie Hernandez, Board President, Association Latinos. Josie discusses:

How and why Associations Latinos was born.
The significance of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The association’s Latina Equal Pay Event coming up on October 5.
The association’s awards program coming up on October 12.
How Association Latinos aims to create a community that uplifts members, creates leadership opportunities, and makes it easier for employers to find quality DEI candidates for top jobs.

References:

Next Episode

61. Tom Morrison, CEO of MTI, on Running to Meet Member Needs, and the MTI Strong Rebrand

How do you create a culture that moves lightning fast to respond to member needs? How do you get your Board to make decisions quickly? How do you convey to potential members that they are stronger when they are part of your organization?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Tom Morrison, CEO of the Metal Treating Institute. Tom discusses:

The importance of his members, both captive and commercial metal heat treaters.
How you create ongoing energy and passion in an organization by innovating quickly and doing new stuff.
How MTI rebranded to be MTI Strong in 2009. Tom wants companies to know that they are weaker without MTI.
How Tom has organized MTI around his members to be able to respond quickly to member needs.
How Tom meets with his Executive Committee once a month in order to keep them updated and make decisions quickly.
When presenting the MTI Board with decisions to make, he presents them with the information, options, and the cost of doing nothing.
Tom’s formula for success at MTI is ALIVE: Ask the right questions. Listen intently. Innovate. Value Creation. Executive excellently.
MTI’s Industry Support Team, which adds huge value to members AND industry consultants.
How MTI is spicing up their upcoming annual meeting with theme nights and engaging sponsors through a sponsored timeline.
How MTI measures member engagement and focuses on the at risk members.
Membership is strong, non-dues revenue is very strong, and association reserves are very strong!

References: