Working Together
Jim Schaller, Chair
North Portland Business Association
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 1

Presentation Outline
Perceptions of an association
How to get people to commit
How to effectively follow up
How to become more focused
Collaborating with government agencies
Teaming with neighboring BDAs
Being financially self-sustaining
self-
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 2

Perceptions of an Association
Not enough committed volunteers
Board does not listen to and follow up with
members’ issues
Board lacks focus and motivation
Board is unable to work with City Hall and other
elected officials
U ab e
Unable to financially se -sustain
a c a y self susta
self-
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 3

How to Get People to Commit
Form committees or sub-groups
sub-
Membership Committee
General Meeting Committee
Grant Writing Committee
Have a board member chair each committee
Ask the general members to assist on any
committee of their interest.
interest
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 4

How to Effectively Follow Up
Create a Directors’ Accounts Data Base
Think of 2-3 key questions to ask your members
2-
each month
Chart their responses and post those responses
and delegate who will address which issues
Once resolved, post the solutions on a web
page/blog/newsletter for all to use.
Call the member with the issue to ensure a
resolution has been found
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 5

How to Become More Focused
Break the job down
Assign board member ownership to each job
Ask your board if they have the capacity/time to
commit to the job
Do not be afraid to tell your board “NO”
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 6

Collaborate with Government Agencies
It might not begin with City Hall but
Hall,
ultimately it will funnel through City Hall
Vote one of your Directors to be your
liaison t Cit H ll
li i to City Hall
Solicit the help from the APNBA
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 7

Team Up With Neighboring BDA’s
BDA s
Power is in the numbers
They
Th may hhave th answers you are
the
seeking
It shows your members that y are
y you
looking out for them
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 8

Being Financially Self-Sustaining
Self-
Eliminate your reliance upon grants
Develop a cash fl
D l h flow stream
t
Dues
Advertising
Events
Wills/Trusts
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 9

In Conclusion…
Spreading the work makes everyone’s life
everyone s
easier
Manageable, focused tasks are more
easily accomplished
il li h d
Collaboration with others works
APNBA Business District Association Conference – June, 2008 10