🚑 ASSOCIATION ER 🚨 Code Blue: Board Dysfunction Detected!

🚑 ASSOCIATION ER

🚨 Code Blue: Board Dysfunction Detected!

Welcome back to Association ER, where we crack open the real operational challenges associations face — and how to actually fix them.

Sometimes it’s not the members causing chaos — it’s the leadership team itself.

The Diagnosis: Board Dysfunction We walked into this one thinking it might be a quick tidy-up. A few governance tweaks, maybe some help with engagement. Nothing too wild. But no. This was a full-blown emergency. The kind where you take your jacket off immediately because you know you’re going to be there a while.

The Board was in gridlock, no signs of life. Meetings were dragging on for five or six hours with nothing to show for it, except maybe a collective existential crisis and a very large Uber Eats bill. No decisions, no direction, just the same arguments on loop, you could hear the sustained beep of the flatline.

The executive team? Exhausted. One was doing the job of three people. Another had started referring to the strategic plan as “that cryptid we once sighted in 2021.” And the actual plan? Sitting untouched in a forgotten Dropbox folder like a sad digital ghost.

No one hated each other — which, weirdly, made it trickier. They wanted to do good work. They just didn’t agree on what that looked like, or who was meant to be doing what, or when. Or how. Or why.

So, we did what we always do: we sat down, shut the laptops, and started listening. Not fixing. Not leading with solutions. Just listening to the mess and the misfires and the miscommunications until the noise started to make sense.

And once it did, we started untangling.

We reworked their framework so people knew what was theirs to run with and what wasn’t theirs to carry. We helped the Board get clear on what decisions actually belonged to them — and which ones could happen without a five-hour conference call and a unanimous vote. Beep beep beep, the signs of life returned. We had a pulse! We didn’t magic away the dysfunction, but we gave it somewhere to go. Somewhere useful.

And slowly, it started to shift.

By the next Board meeting, the vibe was completely different. They didn’t rush, but they moved. Decisions happened. Actual progress. People spoke to each other like colleagues again, not like rivals in a reality show finale.

We’ve seen enough of these now to know: the problem isn’t usually the plan, or the budget, or the software. It’s the fog. The slow, creeping chaos that builds up when no one’s quite sure what their job is anymore.

And complete resuscitation.

Until next the next set of rounds,

Book your consultation here: 👉 Book an Appointment

Let’s make sure your association is running at its best. Together, we’ll keep it out of the ER and on the road to success.

Warm regards,

Peta Riles

Founder & Principal Consultant

PR Association Services & Consulting

📧 info@prassociationservices.com

🚑ASSOCIATION ER 🩺 Emergency Protocol: Clear the Comm Blockage, Stat

🚑 ASSOCIATION ER

🩺 Emergency Protocol: Clear the Comm Blockage, Stat

Welcome back to Association ER — the place where we pull back the curtain on real operational emergencies inside associations… and show you how to fix them before they go critical.

Today’s Emergency: Clear the Comm Blockage, Stat

The patient was an older, well-established association — a familiar face in the sector. Presenting symptoms: consistently low event attendance, minimal engagement, and a dangerously predictable guest list.

Triage reports showed the same small group of regulars attending every session, while new faces were nearly non-existent. Events weren’t failing spectacularly — they were just slowly losing pulse. Quietly. Predictably. Fatally, if left untreated.

On first inspection, vital signs were stable. Event content was fine. Schedules were consistent. But communications? Flatlined.

Event invitations arrived via plain-text emails. No visuals, no speakers pictured, no “click here” — just a polite paragraph and a line that read: email us to register. Technically functional. Clinically unappealing.

Time for intervention.

A full comms overhaul was ordered. Graphics were introduced. Branding applied. Visual hierarchy restored. The invites stopped looking like system-generated admin alerts and started reading like, well, actual invitations. Speaker photos added context. Bold headlines created urgency. And most critically: a call to action that didn’t feel like a scavenger hunt.

Then came a look under the hood.

The registration process long considered “just the way it is,” was assessed and found severely outdated. Turns out, the member platform had one-click registration, auto-login, and built-in member pricing all along. No one had activated it. The system was more than ready — it had just been waiting for someone to call IT.

Within days, the fix was in place. Emails linked directly to the event page. Members could log in, register, and pay in less than a minute. Guests had their own streamlined path. No delays. No email chains. No forms from 2014.

And the results?

Attendance lifted almost immediately. New names appeared on the list. Long-lost members re-emerged. The same old regulars were still there — but now they had a livelier room around them. What had looked like apathy turned out to be friction. Once removed, everything started flowing again.

Diagnosis: communication blockage. Treatment: targeted messaging, visual clarity, and one phone call to IT. Outcome: strong recovery. Prognosis: excellent.

Association event health status: Upgraded from “declining” to “thriving.”

Until our next set of rounds,

Book your consultation here: 👉 Book an Appointment

Let’s make sure your association is running at its best. Together, we’ll keep it out of the ER and on the road to success.

Warm regards,

Peta Riles

Founder & Principal Consultant

PR Association Services & Consulting

📧 info@prassociationservices.com

PR Association Services Newsletter – Issue 01

PR Association Services Newsletter

Fortnightly Edition – May 2025

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the very first PR Association Services newsletter!

This little inbox treat drops every fortnight with practical tips, sector updates, governance guidance, and some of the latest news that actually matters to not-for-profit associations. Whether you’re a CEO, a board member, or the association do-it-all person juggling operations, administration, membership, minutes, events, marketing…. there’s something here for you.

I know how hectic association life can be, so consider this your regular check-in with helpful insights, useful resources, and a few reminders that you’re not alone in the chaos.

Thanks for being here — let’s dive in!

Podcast and Blog

Perspective Podcast
Perspective on People Power – Jenny Boymal

Hosted by Peta Riles, The PR Perspective explores the real stories, strategies, and lessons from leaders across the association and not-for-profit sector.

This Episode: People, Culture & Partnerships, Peta sits down with Jenny Boymal, People Specialist at The Proven Group, to unpack how workplace culture drives success. They discuss leadership, employee engagement, and the unique challenges not-for-profits face when managing people and partnerships.

Jenny also shares smart strategies for building sponsorships that go beyond dollars and how to avoid the common pitfalls.

PR Perspective – Perspective on People Power
Association ER Blog
Is Your Association in Need of Immediate Care? 

Each fortnight, we share practical tips, stories from the field, and proven strategies to help your association run smarter — not harder. Whether you’re wrangling board dynamics, trying to re-engage your members, or just want operations to feel less chaotic, you’ll find real support here.

We’ll cover the pain points associations face (and how to fix them), advice you can actually use, and real outcomes from organisations who’ve turned things around.

Start with this issue’s featured blog, a quick diagnosis on the warning signs your association might be struggling, and what to do before things flatline.

Is Your Association in Need of Immediate Care?

Fortnightly Tip

Get EOFY-Ready: Review Your Constitution & Compliance

With EOFY fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to double-check your association’s constitution and governance policies for:

  • Outdated clauses
  • ACNC Governance Standards alignment
  • Board tenure and election cycles
  • Clarity around member rights and responsibilities

Don’t forget: The ACNC recently reinforced its focus on financial transparency and governance compliance in its 2024–25 Compliance Focus.

View here: ACNC Compliance Focus 2024–25

Sector Watch

What’s Happening in the Not-for-Profit World?

Blueprint for Sector Reform: A 10-Year Roadmap
The Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint lays out priorities for innovation, workforce sustainability, and collaboration across the sector. If your board hasn’t discussed this yet — now’s the time.

View here: NFP Sector Blueprint



⚠️ Top 3 Risks Facing NFPs in 2025
According to industry research, the major risks this year are:
Governance instability

Cybersecurity threats

Inadequate financial oversight

View here: PIB Insurance – Top Risks for 2025

Resource of the Fortnight

Upcoming: 2025 Not-for-Profit Governance Forum
Hosted by the Governance Institute of Australia, this forum will explore practical solutions for strained budgets, leadership burnout, and risk management.

Date: June 2025
Hybrid: Sydney + Online
Info: Governance Forum Details

Ask Peta

Q: We’re a small association; how do we manage risk without extra staff?
A: You don’t need an in-house risk officer to build solid risk management. Start by listing key areas (finance, people, operations) and potential “what ifs.” Document them in a simple spreadsheet and assign one board meeting per quarter to review them. Free templates are available below.

Tools:
ICDA Risk Templates
ACNC Risk Guide

List a Job or Event

Want to promote a job opening, board vacancy, or sector event in this newsletter? Just send the details to info@prassociationservices.com and we’ll include it in the next edition.

Work With Us

At PR Association Services, we support not-for-profits to succeed, not just survive. We specialise in:

  • Association Health Check
  • Governance and Risk Assessment
  • Membership Services
  • Strategic Planning & Operational Alignment
  • Interim CEO Placement
  • Strategic Planning & Operational Alignment
  • Interim CEO Placement

Enquire via PR Association Services & Consulting

Tal Evans – Perspective on Cyber Security

Tal Evans – Perspective on Cyber Security

In this episode of The PR Perspective, host Peta Riles is joined by Tal Evans, CEO of Majestic Computer Technology, for a timely and engaging discussion on cyber security. Tal shares his perspective on the growing threats facing organisations today and how associations can build resilience against cyber attacks. From scams to data breaches, Tal unpacks the key vulnerabilities and the proactive steps leaders should be taking to protect sensitive information. We also delve into the human element of cyber security, the importance of education, and the role of trusted IT partners in safeguarding digital infrastructure. Tal’s company, Majestic Computer Technology (www.majestic.com.au), has been a long-standing industry leader in providing tailored IT solutions and cyber security support to businesses and associations across Australia. With a focus on proactive risk management and responsive service, Majestic is a trusted partner in navigating today’s digital challenges. Whether you’re managing a small team or a national association, this episode offers essential insights into navigating the complex and ever-changing cyber landscape. Don’t miss it!

ASSOCIATION ER 🚑 Is Your Association in Need of Immediate Care?

🚑 ASSOCIATION ER

Is Your Association in Need of Immediate Care?

Welcome to the first edition of Association ER, where we dive into the real issues facing associations like yours—and share how I’ve helped fix them. It’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving in today’s fast-paced world.

Is Your Association in Critical Condition?

Running an association can feel like performing open-heart surgery on yourself—while managing a board meeting, planning events, and keeping members happy. That’s where I come in: to help you navigate the operational challenges, make your processes run smoother, and turn your association into a high-performing machine.

Here’s a Case Study to Start

One association I worked with was stuck in a member retention crisis. Every year, they’d face a huge churn rate. Existing members were dropping off, and new members weren’t signing up fast enough to replace them. They had the right intentions, but their engagement strategies were as outdated as a fax machine.

The Problem:

  • Members didn’t feel connected.
  • Their onboarding process was a mess, leading to confusion and frustration.
  • They had no system to keep members engaged after they signed up.

The Solution: I helped them rethink their membership journey:

  • Refined the value proposition: What’s in it for members beyond the basics? We created exclusive benefits and experiences.
  • Automated their membership system: Making sign-ups, renewals, and reminders easy and seamless.
  • Engagement strategies: From monthly webinars to personalized follow-ups, we ensured members felt valued and included.

The Outcome: Six months later, member retention increased by 25%, and they saw a 15% increase in new member sign-ups. All thanks to a bit of strategic innovation and a fresh look at their processes.

What’s Happening in Your Association?

So, where does your association stand? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of keeping members engaged? Maybe there are gaps in your operations that need to be fixed. Whatever the issue, I’m here to help.

If you want to ensure your association is healthy and running at full potential, let’s have a conversation. I offer 30-minute initial consultations to help you uncover areas that need improvement—and set you on a path to better outcomes.

Book your consultation here: 👉 Book an Appointment

Let’s make sure your association is running at its best. Together, we’ll keep it out of the ER and on the road to success.

Warm regards,

Peta Riles

Founder & Principal Consultant

PR Association Services & Consulting

📧 info@prassociationservices.com

Richard Cholewick – Perspective on Insurance

Richard Cholewick – Perspective on Insurance

 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-pxjfv-183c4e5

In this episode of The PR Perspective, host Peta Riles chats with insurance expert Richard Cholewick about the vital role of insurance in protecting professionals, businesses, and associations. Richard shares insights on navigating risk, understanding coverage, and avoiding common pitfalls. We also explore emerging risks, regulatory changes, and how associations can protect their members. From liability to strategic risk management, this episode is packed with valuable guidance for leaders

Association Health Check

Essential Association Health Check – $495 (one-time)

Best for: Smaller associations, early-stage nonprofits, or boards looking for a clear picture of where they stand.

A fast, expert review to help you identify what’s working—and what needs to change.


You’ll receive:

  • A short intake form to provide background on your organisation
  • Diagnostic of your governance, operations, and member engagement
  • Snapshot review of key policies and compliance areas
  • Assessment of your communication, events, and engagement approach
  • A tailored summary report (2–3 pages) outlining:
  • Key strengths
  • Immediate improvement opportunities
  • Priority recommendations
  • A 30-minute video debrief to talk through the findings

Timeline: Typical delivery 2–3 weeks, depending on scope

Ready to boost your association’s effectiveness?

Book Your Health Check Now

Transform your organisation with expert guidance—schedule your free consultation today!

Podcast: The PR Perspective

The PR Perspective: Podcast

The PR Perspective is your window into the dynamic world of associations and not-for-profits. Hosted by Peta Riles, this podcast gains “Perspective” inside the minds, strategies, and stories of association leaders, board chairs, consultants, and executives.

Each episode takes a deep dive into key facets of association management, offering a mix of education and entertainment. From governance challenges to success stories, we shine a light on what it takes to excel in this unique space.

Watch the latest episode below:

Also available to watch and subscribe at: