Center for Association Resources

The Center for Association Resources supports mission-oriented organizations, assisting them in increasing relevance and accomplishing goals.

Music

Change for the Children

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

Non-profit organization for children, run by the Jonas Brothers.

There are a great deal of amazing non-profit organizations out there that do great work and have a positive impact on society, but my favorite non-profit organization is one run by the Jonas Brothers called Change for the Children. Each one of the brothers has a different cause that they support. Nick’s cause is childhood diabetes, because it is something that he, too, suffers from. Joe’s cause is Special Olympics and Kevin’s cause is volunteerism. Kevin, Nick and Joe all work together to make the change they want to see in the world possible, and they make it possible for fans to get involved as well in a great many ways.

The program is based on kids helping other kids who are less fortunate. All the money raised by Change for the Children actually goes to the kids who need it the most, not the Jonas Brothers. Many times, children can feel alone in the world and feel like no one else is going through what they are going through. Initially, this is how Nick Jonas felt when he was diagnosed with childhood diabetes, and it is what inspired him to start this non-profit organization in the first place. He wants to help kids get connected with other kids who are going through similar situations, so that they can be a support system for each other. He said that by doing so, they are “improving the quality of life”.

The organization offers many ways for those to get involved to actually get out there and do something. The organization’s website offers ideas, such as organizing a walk or run for those affected by diabetes or those who are disabled. If you do not have time to organize a run or walk, the website for the organization offers shirts and necklaces that you can purchase. All of the profits from the shirts and necklaces does go for diabetic children in need.

Many people think the Jonas Brothers are just another teenage fad, but in all honesty, they are doing something great for their fans and children across the country. They are the brains behind Change for the Children, and have made many donations and contributions to help kids in need all across America and in other countries as well. They are helping to make the changes they wanted to see reality and they are getting fans involved as well. Change for the Children is a non-profit organization that I support now, and I hope you will too.

Jonas Brothers, Change for the Children, Non-Profit Organizations, Diabetes,The Center for Association Resources

Hotel contract negotiation

Another in a series of articles related to association management selected from our reading list by:
Robert O. Patterson, JD
CEO/ Principal
The Center for Association Resources, Inc.

Negotiating a contract with a hotel for your non-profit organization can be a difficult and time consuming process.  There are often many layers of the hotel to go through, mainly dealing with contracts, fundraising, their tax write off ability and, as a founder or negotiator of the contract, a lot of people to talk to at the hotel.

If you want to host a dinner at a hotel, you have to have a solid estimation of your visitors.  The important thing to remember here is that your attendees to your fundraiser are there to be entertained.  It is their checkbooks that are opening up for the sake of your organization.  They have to feel pampered.  Make sure you organize a few solid negotiating points for the hotel, like live music, vegetarian options for food and a cash bar.  I say cash bar because that will offer the hotel a chance to recoup some of the losses that they would face should they offer a large conference room for your organization.  Not only that, it is critical to use their name on your flyers, website and possibly offer them some future cross-marketing potential.  This way, the hotel recognizes that you are offering a service to your visitors (a live band), considering their needs as well as your own (vegetarian options) and the hotel is offered something as well.  The cross-marketing is an excellent point of negotiation because the duration of their involvement lasts beyond a single event.  Your organization recognizes them in terms of a strategic partner which may help you in the future.

Beyond conference rooms and fundraising partnerships, if your organization needs rooms at a hotel for a non-profit fair or are simply traveling for the purpose of expanding your organization, remember to network market your organization.  The more people who are educated and aware of your purpose and mission, the more leverage you can have in that town.  Ask for recommendations from friends, contacts, even law firms in the area.  If you can connect those you already know with people in the states or countries you are visiting, you can gain a lot of structured leverage.  Governmental organizations are thrilled to have non-profits because they take some of the public service burden off of the governments back.  Contact you local government, of whom your organization should have a strong relationship with and see if they know anyone in the city you are visiting.  They can use their contacts and networking for your organization and put you in touch with the hotels with either a discount or if you are lucky, a free room!