Acronym

Here's an idea. What if ASAE & The Center created a ""You've Got to Read this Book" one-page sheet that attendees could fill in and post? All we need to know if your name, organization, book title and authors, and a few of the reasons this is a "must read" book in your eyes. A bulleting board could be placed at the bookstore and people could post their sheets for all to see.

And a similar sheet and display area could be created for people to recommend blogs,podcasts, and/or websites people value.

To entice people to submit a sheet or two could be drawn each day and given a free copy of the new Decision to Join study or a gift certificate to the bookstore.

Have you read 7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations do that others don't? Basically, I want to know if I should plan to buy it at this year's conference in Chicago and read it. Is it worth the time?

-Michelle

@Michelle:
Yes, I read 7 Measures. It is a relatively inexpensive and short book. So, the "investment" is not major.

I enjoyed the book, though it has come under some criticism. Certainly, it is lacking in the how-to department, but does provide good food for thought. And, with the right initiative, does give you a good head start for different directions to pursue, study, etc.

Also, the ASAE is leveraging the book extensively to spawn lecture sessions, support materials, magazine articles, etc. Reading the book allows you to better assess the value/need of those additional offerings...

Jason,

Thank you very much. I have heard some of the mixed reports on the book - as you said mostly from people looking for instructions on how to apply it to their own assocation - but it sounds like a great resource to me. I'll definitely look for it at the ASAE conference. I'm also looking forward to the session on how the 7 Measures apply to small associations since I work for a 3-person staff organization.

-Michelle

Jason,

My 87 year-old mother would tell you to put Team of Rivals at the top of your list! When I first tried to get her to read it she balked at the length - "I won't live long enough to read that." But two weeks later she couldn't stop raving about the best book she'd ever picked up. The combination of politics, history, and humanity is compelling.

As to the 7 Measures, I appreciate the comments and reviews. Perhaps we can us the book to stimulate us to make that transition to action. But the fact remains, I'd love a good "how-to" book on making organizations great.

Jason, if I didn't give you a copy of We Have Always Done It That Way: 101 Things About Associations We Must Change last year, then please find me in Chicago, I'll be sure to get you one so we can fill up some of that spare room in your bags!

@Jeff
Very kind of you to offer, but I bought a copy from Lulu Press right when it was released. Devoured it. Loved it!

Michelle,

I should have read my Connecting07 Program earlier. There will be a session on 7 Measures for Small Associations at the ASAE Meeting in Chicago on Saturday @ 4:00-5:15pm. Hope we'll see you there.