ALA Testimonials"I have used the ALA as an accompaniment to staff training, especially for new hires, to provide them with Association 101 programming. Oftentimes I am hiring team members that are not from the association world. ALA has been a worthwhile investment because it saves me time from teaching the basics. It provides opportunities to have discussions with them after the programs to compare to real world scenarios within our specific organization." Jennifer Martin, MBA, CAEExecutive DirectorNYS School Nutrition Association~ “It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet such a diverse group of individuals who all really have the same set of goals. ALA taught me the necessary skills I need to perform my work more productively, therefore making me a more effective director.” Tanja Sirago ~ “Participation in the ALA has allowed me to see the field of association management from a global perspective. It has strengthened my view of the value of a strong membership, and how to better serve members. ALA has allowed me to see many other facets of association management besides my own professional role, and to see association management as its own field.” Jessica Goldstein ~ “ALA Broadened my knowledge base of selected areas and prompted me to establish a few professional development habits.” Mollly Poleto ~ “ALA reminded me of all the complexities we handle as association professionals. It takes a lot of dedication and training to achieve continued success in all the areas we touch. I feel more prepared for future challenges.” Jennifer Hill ~ “I very much appreciate the opportunity and the experience ALA provided. I got so much out of each class. The professors were entertaining as well as extremely knowledgeable. They all know how to deliver the message so that it is learned and embedded and ready to be pulled out when needed.” Donna C. Denley ~ “ALA has helped me understand my duties as an association executive better. It gave me networking contacts. It helped motivate me towards taking the CAE test.”
Patti Dugan
New York Farm Bureau ~
“The Association Leadership Academy has made me think about my association outside of my narrower work realm. I’m trying to put decisions within a broader association context. Also, I’ve begun studying to prep for the CAE exam, something I didn’t think I’d do initially when I began the ALA courses.” Barbara Bradley ~ “ALA has made me a more informed association executive, and the skills learned will assist me in making better decisions for my organization. If I can provide better service, advice, and guidance for my association, my career should follow and also benefit.” Ellen Melchionni, CAE, President ~ “ALA has helped me to better understand more fully the big picture of association management. It was really a great precursor to studying for the CAE which I am currently doing. As a life-long learner, this education has helped round out my career interest in association management and hopefully will boost my career to higher levels.” Carol A. Jesep ~ “There are many issues one deals with as a Director (especially in a small organization where one is the jack-of-all-trades) and some of them one doesn’t learn about in the run of the mill professional development courses available at conferences. The ALA courses were relevant and in-depth. So, ALA will benefit my career by helping me be the best I can be.” Carol Beebe ~ “ALA has given me a greater knowledge of my position as executive director. In my association, the executive director was always a retired member. The ALA provided me the insight as to what has not been done in the past and what should be done to operate a successful and productive association.” Kathleen Moore ~ “The new skills and knowledge I gained will assist me no matter what position I hold The new skills and knowledge I gained will assist me no matter what position I hold at NYIA or any other association. I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in the ALA program and to have met all the great people in the program. I look forward to giving back to associations.”
Stacey Orlando
New York Insurance Association, Inc. ~
“The ESSAE Association Leadership Academy enhanced my knowledge on the other parts of the association that I am not typically involved in. It served as a reminder to view the association as a whole instead of departments that work independently.” Kristen A. Phillips, MPA ~ “Throughout the Association Leadership Academy sessions, I have surprised myself on how much I already know about governance and advocacy, but that it is never enough to learn more about communication- whether its within the organization or externally (including speaking to the public or the use of social media); or how to create a better work environment that breeds creativity and capitalizes on your human resource; not to mention finding ways to better understand your members, develop stronger relationships with them and seek ways to tap their strengths to deepen their involvement with the organization.” Venerina Greco ~ “The ALA program has taught me that good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, and experience. I plan on continuing my journey to become the Leader I want to aspire to.” Courtney Wertman |