FLORINT General Assembly 2009: sharing problems, sharing solutions
No doubt the perfect scenery of beautiful Lillehammer and its surroundings as well as the good weather influenced the atmosphere in FLORINT’s General Assembly 2009. The circumstances, including the Norwegian hospitality and good food, couldn’t be better. The assembly was characterized by a strong common feeling that all member associations as well as their individual florist members were facing similar problems and challenges and that cooperation and exchanging good ideas and practices would give a valuable contribution to the solution. Obviously matters like the European competitions are of great interest but in fact the sharing of ideas and solutions and developing common actions creates a potential of even more added value to all. Clear recommendations were given in the assembly on how to develop this potential together.
The presentation given by Florint’s general secretary about membership recruitment and membership retention was seen as a valuable contribution to problem solving. Many tips were given as to the method of developing a solid strategy and policy for the association in such a way that an effective communication strategy is embedded from scratch. Effective communication is more and more vital for such associations and this nowadays needs to be multi-layer (multi-stakeholder oriented) as well as cross-media. A challenge for associations that mostly have only just put the first steps on internet and are puzzled by the meaning of things like social media or mobile internet. Yet this is where the future is heading. A stronger sharing of ideas as well as content would no doubt create far more effectiveness in communications of all parties.
Association management is no sinecure, but luckily there is a lot of experience and good practices available in all kind of books. The American Society of Association Executives offers lots of books dedicated to the subject of association management and some examples were shown at the assembly. These and more can be ordered through Florint. Further the direction committee announced the intention to organize a seminar or congress on various hot topics as to association management, where delegates should be able to learn from outside experiences as well as from colleagues.
Very many issues were on the agenda of this assembly’s 2-day’s meeting. None gave cause to disagreements or harsh discussion. About the most important topics: the elections and the decision about the Europa Cup 2011, short reports can be found elsewhere.
