International Association News 

Articles cover a wide range of topics including Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, Finance, Event Organization, Human Resource Management as well as papers focused on specific regions including Europe, China, Latin America, Australia and others.

How to guide your association in a Turbulent 2009   Over the past nine months it is clear that despite associations’ non-profit status, they are not immune to the effects of a global recession. Across all various sectors and industries, associations are at risk. Although the dynamics may be different depending on your membership base, one thing is clear, focusing on delivering value and quality will ensure you survive.  Read more at...   Cross-border Patient Mobility   On 24 April, the European Parliament has passed a landmark Directive which would allow Europeans seek healthcare abroad more easily and be reimbursed for the cost of doing so. However, EU member states are still working to iron out a range of practical difficulties before the plan can be formally adopted in the Council. Read more at...   Electronic Health Records   Electronic health records concern some of an individual’s most sensitive data, and therefore deserves the highest degree of protection against all kinds of abuse. The challenge is clear: EHR can only be used to their full potential when medical personnel can access the data they need. At the same time, it has to be assured that data not needed in the context of a specific treatment is made inaccessible and that the data does not get dispersed or accessed by non-authorised persons or organisations. The planned revision of the EU Data Protection Directive in the next Parliamentary term may have an impact on the way medical professionals need to manage their records. Read more at...   EU Research Grants The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research and technological development is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe and it will run from 2007-2013. FP7 total budget was EUR 50.5 billion, of which more than EUR 6 billion was allocated to health related research, including clinical research. In the next parliamentary year, the successor of FP7 will be decided. Now is the time to prepare your lobby for inclusion of your area of expertise in FP8.  Read more at...  EU Demystified Because of the direct applicability and supremacy of the European Union (EU) Regulations over national legislation and the mandatory transposition of the EU Directives into national laws, decision taken at the EU level in Brussels influence every aspect of society Europe-wide and even globally. No sector can afford to have a blind spot for European Union policies, as it can cost them substantial resources when European legislation is adopted or altered against the interests of their sector. Read more at... Social Networking and Associations Survey Results   In July 2008, Association Global Services conducted a survey of associations to determine how they are approaching this fast evolving trend. The survey was completed by 179 association executives who were informed and invited to participate by email, LinkedIn, Facebook and word of mouth. Within 48 hours of distributing the survey over 150 associations had responded. The following report highlights the results. View the Social Networking and Associations Survey Results     EU Funding: Opportunities for Not-for-Profits EU funding programs present great opportunities for not-for-profits. The European Commission awards money in the form of grants in order to implement projects or activities in relation to and supporting European Union policies. These policy fields are very diverse, ranging from research, SME competitiveness, education and health to consumer protection, protection of the environment and humanitarian aid. Here's how it works and how your organization can benefit. Read more at...   Improvement in Transatlantic Relations Should Not Pin All Hopes on the Democrats For most Europeans this is a non-issue: it is in Europe's interest that Senator Barack Obama becomes the next President of the United States. If indeed Mr. Obama wins, they may however end up disappointed. Read more at…   6 Steps for Marketing a Successful Event  The competition in today's event market is fierce; new events are being launched every year, which are inevitably in direct competition with your own events. As a result, attendee marketing has become one of the most essential focus points in event organization. Do you have a plan to put your event on top?         Read more at...   Hot Topics from CESSE The recent Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) meeting in Detroit 15 - 18 July 2008 revealed two very hot topics for Associations:  "International" and "Social Technology". It was reported that 84% of member associations held some form of international meeting and everyone was asking, how are social networking tools like '"Linked-In" and "Facebook" affecting my association? Is there a connection?    Read more at... What is VAT and How Does it Really Work?   Value Added Tax is applied to the difference in value between what the original supplier of a good or service charges and what the ultimate customer of that good or services pays. But how does this really affect your international business practices and events?                     Read more at...   Cash Flow Management for Association Events: How to control your financial performance Cash flow management for Association conferences and events is a real challenge, especially as current economic conditions make accurate revenue forecasting more difficult. Having a well prepared cash flow plan that is updated in tandem with your financial reporting system is key to reducing your event's financial risk and exposure.          Read more at...    What is a Successful International Association Strategy?   Globalization continues to have dramatic effects on the economy and is changing associations world-wide. Whether you belong to a local, national or international trade or professional association, it is imperative that your association has a plan to address key strategic issues.                       Read more at... New Authorization Requirements for Foreign Travelers into the US: Is your organization ready? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a new obstacle to international travel into the US: the ESTA Interim Final Rule (IFR). As a result of mandatory recommendations from the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the new online IFR system requires travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to complete the web-based application at least 72 hours prior to departure. Is your organization prepared?   Read more at...   The Record Low US Dollar is Good News for American Associations The record low US Dollar has made US based products and services competitive again. This includes US based association membership and program services and products as well. But how can associations take advantage of these favorable market conditions?  Read more at...   How Associations Reduce Risk & Improve Management Effectiveness The single greatest legal liability faced by all associations is in the employer / employee relationship. This is even more pronounced when associations have expatriate staff based outside the US. How can an association reduce its legal exposure and improve management effectiveness at the same time?        Read more at...   Why Panama? An Ideal Association Location for the Latin American Region  Latin America remains a region of great potential but has been mostly frustrating and disappointing for associations that have tried to expand in Central and South America. Why is Panama an ideal location to base association services for the Latin American area?                       Read more at...