New SmithBucklin Report Identifies Best Practices to Help Associations Navigate Current Economic Crisis and Position for Growth

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
SmithBucklin, the world`s largest association management and professional
services company, today announced the availability of a special report to help
associations emerge from the current economic recession positioned for future
growth.

Available for free download at www.smithbucklin.com/smithbucklinreport,
Acknowledging and Overcoming Strains Resulting from the Economic Crisis offers
observations, insights and best practices from SmithBucklin`s year-long work
with client associations. According to SmithBucklin Chairman and CEO Henry S.
Givray, many organizations have had to adjust operations and implement new
strategies to navigate these uncertain times.

"To ensure that organizations emerge from this period of time revitalized and
positioned for growth, governing boards and staff members should now examine
their own unique sources of strain and put into action best practices to help
resolve those areas of concern," Givray said. "Association members and
constituents will benefit from this type of proactive, effective leadership. It
can mean the difference between organizational success and critical failure."

The Report reveals that the overarching characteristic separating organizations
that are on a positive course from those at risk is the extent that governing
boards are willing to confront and resolve these common areas of strain:

1."Not What They Signed Up For" - This sentiment prevails more often than is
openly discussed as challenges and stress in the workplace or at home are now
being compounded by the difficulties and time-consuming demands of the
association.

2.Financial Oversight - Nearly all associations are experiencing financial
strain, particularly in organizations whose governing boards did not maintain
and demand sharp financial attention during more prosperous times.

3.Sun-setting Long-Standing Programs or Products -While the work of critically
reviewing a portfolio is intended to identify where resources should be spent
and, conversely, where they can be saved, it is not always easy because emotions
and personal biases frequently creep into the process.

4.Adjusting Governance Models and Unnecessary Trappings -Dysfunctional elements
of governance models that may go undetected during good economic times can have
negative consequences during an economic recession.

5."Them vs. Us" - Strain Between Board and Paid Staff -A breakdown in
collegiality can lead to lower productivity among staff teams, wasted time on
work that is viewed as suspicious or discredited by the board, and short tempers
and overblown reactions to issues.

Initially released exclusively to volunteer leaders through an interactive Web
site hosted by SmithBucklin, the Report received hundreds of page-views,
garnered highly supportive commentary and was affirmed as insightful and
instructive through multiple online polling tools.

"We see tremendous value in communicating major themes that we observe to
stakeholders in the association world. As leaders, we are obligated to react to
such themes, including sharing best practice actions and behaviors," said
SmithBucklin Vice President David Schmahl, principal author of the Report.
"Based on the enthusiastic response of volunteer leaders and the stated desire
for more channels to engage in peer-to-peer dialogue and debate, we intend to
continue to serve the association community with additional research in this
area going forward."

The SmithBucklin Report:Acknowledging and Overcoming Strains Resulting from the
Economic Crisis is available to all members of the association community free of
charge. The report can be found at www.smithbucklin.com/smithbucklinreport.

About SmithBucklin

SmithBucklin is the world`s largest association management and professional
services company. Founded in 1949, the company provides full-service management
and outsourcing services to trade associations, professional societies,
technology user groups, corporations, government institutes/agencies and other
nonprofit organizations. SmithBucklin`s mission is to drive growth for its
client organizations and provide uncompromised stewardship for their long-term
prosperity. SmithBucklin offices are located in Chicago, Washington, D.C., St.
Louis and St. Paul, Minn. and the SmithBucklin + MCI Worldwide Partnership
provides client organizations with seamless association and event management
services from more than 40 offices throughout the world. The company is 100
percent employee owned. For more information, please visit www.smithbucklin.com
or call 1-800-539-9740.

Tiffany Graves
SmithBucklin Corporation
312/673-5740
tgraves@smithbucklin.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009