CLA’s National Association Conference

CPE: Specialized Knowledge

Speakers:

Nat Bartholomew, Principal, CLA
Peter Holupchinski, Senior Wealth Advisor, CLA

Session description:

Do you walk on eggshells before finance and investment committee meetings? Have rising interest rates, poor investment returns, bank failures, and foggy economic outlooks made you question your association’s investment strategy? Does your investment policy statement (IPS) need an overhaul?

Let CLA guide you through the data from the past few years and bring foresight to your prospective investing decisions. This session will use up-to-the-minute market and geopolitical data as well as data from your peer group (other associations) to pave the way over those eggshells and help bring you confidence for the next finance and investment committee presentation.

This session will build on:

• Investment retrospect
• Investment monitoring
• Investment foresight

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Identify what metrics drive investing decisions and how to find and evaluate the data in real time and still do your day job
• Recognize what the market has done and is currently doing, as well as what associations have done and are currently doing with their investment portfolios
• Recall new knowledge, financial modeling, and available foresight to invest based on risk aversion, time horizons, desire to diversify, and other investing concepts, practices, and opportunities

CPE: Specialized Knowledge

Speakers:

Melissa Struck, Principal, CLA
Jim Thomas, Principal, CLA

Session description:

You can’t turn on the radio or open your inbox these days without hearing about employee retention credits. Unfortunately, associations are getting inundated with providers promising millions — no strings attached! Fortunately, many associations are finding out that they are eligible, and the credits can be transformational. There is still time to take advantage of this credit, but it's important to do the proper due diligence.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recall how to calculate your association’s gross receipts by quarter and tie out to your Form 990 or determine if shut-down scenarios may be applicable to your association
• Identify deadlines for filing for these credits
• Select questions to ask providers when choosing who to work with when pursuing these credits

CPE: Information Technology

Speakers:

Ben Aase, Principal, CLA

Session description:

Digital transformation is about using integrated digital tools to share information and workloads among diverse stakeholders across your association and its constituents. Data is at the core — collecting it, integrating it, and analyzing it. Getting more efficient, organized, and automated may be your short-term goal, but in the long term, it can also help you become more informed, strategic, and proactive.

This session will dive into how you can address five common pain points associations face in beginning their digital transformation push (or jump-starting a stalled one), including:

• Lack of real-time data
• Systems that don’t talk to each other
• Disruptions to legacy systems
• Evolving industry structure and realignment
• Difficulty recruiting and retaining talent

Whatever the right place is for your association to start your digital transformation, a closer look at these five pain points can help you begin redefining how your organization embraces technology, utilizes data, and makes meaningful progress toward your mission.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of real-time data and its role in driving digital transformation within associations
• Recall how to develop strategies to overcome challenges related to system integration and data interoperability
• Identify effective methods for navigating disruptions to legacy systems during digital transformation

CPE: Specialized Knowledge

Moderator:

Ben Aase, Principal, CLA

Panel:

Gary LaBranche, CEO, RIMS
Kathy Gledhill, CFO, RIMS
Frank Rudewicz, Principal, CLA

Session description:

Although we hear daily reports of active shooter incidents, we never think it will happen to us. For one organization, this became a harrowing reality. Gary LaBranche and Kathy Gledhill from Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc. (RIMS) will share their personal story of how they responded to an active-shooter situation, the lessons they learned, and the importance of a plan.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the components of a crisis management and communication plan
• List the benefits of having a crisis management and communication plan
• Identify crisis management and communication leading practices

CPE: Specialized Knowledge

Speakers:

Tara Frazer, Change Management Director, CLA

Session description:

Let’s talk about change! Get a brief introduction into change management and how it can lead to new growth opportunities. In addition to understanding some of the reasons people are generally reluctant to change or believe change is rarely beneficial — let’s discuss ways to ease employees’ concerns related to change.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recall how to assess the human impact of change on yourself and others
• Identify ways to overcome obstacles or resistance to change
• Explain behaviors most associated with productive change orientation

CPE: Specialized Knowledge

Speakers:

Melissa Struck, Principal, CLA
Jim Thomas, Principal, CLA

Session description:

In this session, we will review current tax updates in relation to association management. Also, a look at recent IRS audit trends can help you prepare your organization. Finally, we will look at risks and opportunities for 2023.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recall current tax developments
• Identify tax opportunities for your association
• Recognize risks that may affect your organization

CPE: Information Technology

Speakers:

Randall Romes, Principal, CLA

Session description:

Associations are not immune to the threat of bad actors — it’s not a matter of if a cybersecurity breach will happen, but rather when. How do associations protect their internal data as well as the data of their members? Join us as we talk about recent trends in cybersecurity and how associations can proactively respond to ongoing threats.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe common cybersecurity attacks
• List some cybersecurity leading practices
• Identify areas of opportunities in your own organization to proactively mitigate risk and protect data

CPE: Information Technology

Speakers:

Andy Harleman, Digital Growth Director, CLA
Bart Hawley, Director, CLA

Session description:

Moving into the digital world or changing dated systems is no easy task. Everyone wants input, but not many are volunteering for the implementation team! Learn from CLA family members how we have helped other associations enhance their finance operations with remarkable technology.

This session addresses key areas that can help improve the finance function, including:

• Leveraging modern cloud technology systems
• “Graduating” from entry-level bookkeeping systems
• Incorporating KPIs in your financials
• Providing visibility and insights to key stakeholders outside the Finance Department

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize tools and technologies available to improve client experience
• Recall how to apply KPIs and other assessment instruments throughout a digital or automation transformation to help meet association goals and benchmarks
• Identify opportunities for key stakeholder engagement using visibility as a guide

CPE: Specialized Knowledge

Speakers:

Melissa Struck, Principal, CLA
Jim Thomas, Principal, CLA

Session description:

Take time with us to review the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) accounting pronouncements. Learn how they could impact your association, processes, and procedures. Included in this session is important information on audits and accounting standards.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Outline new and current accounting guidance affecting associations
• Identify upcoming audit and accounting standards
• Recognize important items to consider for your next audit

CPE: Information Technology

Speakers:

Ben Aase, Principal, CLA

Session description:

Digital tools hold transformative powers for associations in driving new business models and revenue streams. We’ll delve into key strategies and practical approaches that associations can adopt to leverage digital tools effectively for relevance and revenue growth. Participants will gain insights into the latest trends, case studies, and leading practices, empowering you to embrace innovation and enhance your association’s financial growth and sustainability.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the digital landscape
• Identify opportunities for innovation
• Discuss effective strategies