Frequently Asked Questions

Does outsourced association management mean we could lose control of our own association?
Given that the members ARE the association, they will always have ultimate control if a normal constitution is in place. Both the Board of Management and any AMC are only there to serve the members. AMC's act to meet objectives set by the Board of Management so there should be no loss of control.

Our Board of Management have demanding 'day jobs'. Can we expect proactivity from an AMC?.
Certainly. Always working to board objectives the AMC may be in the best position to propose strategies to meet the objectives. This allows the Board to use its limited time to work on objectives and outcomes – then listen to how the AMC proposes reaching them. An experienced AMC is often likely to have trod that path before.

Should we expect an assigned staff member of the AMC to serve our association?
You should have clear lines of contact with the AMC and be able to speak to its directors when appropriate, However, if you have changing emphasis and the AMC has a range of skills on board – financial, marketing, PR, IT you may prefer to establish direct reporting from that particular professional. The choice should be yours.

What size is the optimum for an AMC?
Hard to say of course but look for a solid establishment with an in house core of at least 5 or 6 people if the AMC provides full service across say 10 associations. When looking at large AMC's, say employing 30 or more staff you should look at the likely needs of your own association. For some, the larger AMC will offer ideal security and system levels but, for the smaller Association balance this with their ability to offer a personal and focused service.

Will we save cost over employing an in house manager?
Probably, especially if your needs are diverse. Remember to consider all of the costs of employment and consultancy to get your job done. However, a good AMC will be able to show you value added for your members which, whilst often meaning lower costs, sometimes means achieving more at the same cost.

My association has some problems – should I 'come clean' in the invitation to tender ?
Most definitely. Your relationship will only offer long term value if it is based on trust. Ask your AMC for a separate quotation for dealing with the problem – if it's a membership administration tangle, financial worry or strategic problem your AMC will want to be sure that it can help before commencing the contract – and so will you.

How are associations managed in other countries?
Totally outsourced association management is prevalent in the USA and far more widely used in Europe than the UK. Until recently Associations in the UK gained members simply because they were 'in the sector' – now there are demands that real value be delivered to members within a less forgiving business environment. This has led to the rise of AMC's in the UK market.