Working With Volunteers

Forum Plus Members receive complimentary registration for webinars. Please contact membership@associationforum.org for more information.

One of the most unique aspects of working for an association is the dynamic of working with volunteers and volunteer leaders. These experiences can either be positive or negative, and can make or break your career as an association professional. As owners of the association, your members and volunteers are ultimately your bosses, an important distinction to remember every day. That said, all too often, the staff-volunteer relationship can be frought with frustration, malaise or even stalled work. In this one-hour webinar, you will learn to:

- Establish a strong working relationship with volunteer leaders with a strong first meeting
- Understand how to most effectively work with committees, task forces and work groups
- Minimize and mitigate conflict when it arises
- Keep the all-important work of the association moving forward
- Join us for this interactive session, filled with many tips on how to navigate these important relationships!

 

Forum Plus Members receive complimentary registration for webinars. Please contact membership@associationforum.org for more information.

 About the Presenter:

  

Based in Chicago, IL, and considered the market leader in education design, research and implementation, The Learning Studio, Inc. (TLS) is a full-service education and training firm specializing in the business of adult education and professional development. Our mission is to provide our clients with exceptional and innovative educational products that meet their mission, increase their profitability, and create change-inducing behavior in the learner. We believe in transformational learning, meaning every aspect of training must impact each and every learner in a meaningful way. By tailoring our programming not only to our clients’ individual needs, but the needs and expectations of each individual learner, we are able to serve our clients successfully so they can more effectively serve their customers.

 

Debra Zabloudil, CAE, FACHE serves as President & CEO of The Learning Studio, Inc. (TLS) a consultancy and training organization.

Debra is considered an industry leader in speaking, training, facilitating and “all things adult education”. The Learning Studio, which Debra founded in 2004, serves clients across the globe in building and producing gold standard learning experiences, as well as offers a full catalog of training programs to companies of all size and scope. TLS has designed leadership development experiences for individuals with many years of experience, as well as those aspiring to leadership positions.

Prior to launching TLS in 2004, Debra served in many senior staff positions with a variety of organizations. Those included the Association Forum of Chicagoland, The Young Presidents’ Organization, The Joint Commission and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Debra received her bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications/Public Relations from Southern Illinois University, and her master’s degree in Management of Public Service from DePaul University. She has earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and is a fellow in healthcare management, recently becoming an FACHE. Debra is a past chair of ASAE’s Professional Development Council, has chaired the Association Forum’s Education SIG, and speaks and writes regularly on the topics around leadership and management, as well as adult learning best practices. She is the 2011 recipient of the Association Forum of Chicagoland’s John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award, which is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated consistent and significant contributions to the association community on a volunteer basis.

Pamela Schroeder, CAE, is the Deputy Executive Vice President of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Pamm has been a part of the Chicago association world for almost 30 years. She has worked with dozens of associations as staff or as a consultant. Prior to joining ASSH, Pamm was the Vice President of Member Services at APICS, the Association for Operations Management. Pamm received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2000 and frequently speaks on association related topics.