With over 50 years of experience in non-profit association management, Support Services Unlimited has seen it all. As we believe in continually providing the best service to our clients, we are proud to offer a number of resources that have helped us succeed and may be of use to you.
To view the available resources, select the subject headings below for an expandable listing.
Our years of accumulated knowledge in not-for-profit association management have shaped us into experts in our field. But we're never happy with the status quo – we like to be ahead of the curve—that's why we've begun our Association Nights series of free webinar presentations on a variety of topics tailored to highlight up-and-coming technologies and techniques to make involvement in non-profits seamless.
Our video production team is proud to provide these videos for those of you who may have missed some of our Association Night presentations – or just want to share the knowledge with associates.
Click here to watch the full video - 37m21s
You may have noticed that a new symbol is showing up with increasing frequency on buses, billboards and business cards. Called a QR code, it resembles a square full of Aztec-like squiggles. A quick scan with your smartphone gives you an instant connection to online information – the hyperlink from print to digital. Join our VP Technology Jay Nelson as he discusses the benefits and challenges of this rapidly emerging technology.
Click here to watch the video - 10m40s
Social Media is a constantly evolving forum for communications. Some organizations find immense followings while others flounder. How can you be sure that the time you have invested is paying off?
Michael Rogers, our Marketing and Social Networking Specialist tells you all about the merits and pitfalls of all the major social networks, and describes best practices on how to make them work for your association.
Click here to watch the video - 19m05s
Associations need to stay competitive to attract a strong membership base; offering valuable products and services for their members can help them differentiate. Employee benefits and retirement solutions catered to members can not only enhance membership value, but can also bring in additional revenue for the association.
Join Donald Chu, VP of ICBA Benefit Services Ltd, as he explains how these services work and discusses case studies of associations who have taken advantage of a benefit/retirement program to effectively attract new members.
Click here to watch the video - 26m28s
For the budget-conscious association, finding the right help can be a difficult task. Weighing the value between the cost of full-time staff and the variability of volunteers seems like an unanswerable question. Consider a unique solution from around the world – international interns!
International post-secondary students from around the globe travel to BC to gain experience in their chosen field of study before completing their respective programs. In exchange for the opportunity, they provide your association with qualified and dependable expertise. Sometimes the best way to tackle local problems is with international perspectives.
Join Timothy Wells, President of Internex International Exchange, as he shares with you the value and benefits of welcoming international interns into your organization - for free!
Click here to watch the video - 23m50s
How do you address conflict when it arises within your team?
In this session Carol J. Sutton, Principal of CJS Communications, talks about effective conflict resolution in the workplace. You will hear about key concepts that can help you cope more positively when disagreements occur.
Resolving conflict is simple – but not easy. Find out why this is so, and hear some ideas about what you can do to achieve different outcomes. Join Carol as she shares with you the secrets of effective conflict resolution in this special Halloween presentation!
Click here to watch the video - 23m50s
No matter how brilliant your business plan is, if you don't have the workforce to support it, you're not going to achieve your intended business results. Learn tips that will help you attract and retain top talent, and better manage the biggest asset and liability of your organization.
Join Glen Grant, Partner at HRfx Consulting, as he shares the insights you need to grow and support a successful team.
Click here to watch the video - 23m50s
Google Analytics provides powerful information you need to measure the success of your online presence. Most websites have this free tool turned on – but are they using it?
Join Jay Nelson, VP Technology Initiatives at Support Services Unlimited, for a free 20-minute presentation on utilizing Google Analytics.
Go beyond website hits as you monitor your social networking activity, QR-code campaigns, SEO, e-commerce and more - make a small investment in working knowledge of this powerful tool to help maximize your online assets. Understand what the metrics mean, what to look for, and how to act on the knowledge you've gained. This is an introductory level session to get you started with this tool - if you're already a Google Analytics wiz, keep an eye out for our more advanced sessions in the weeks to come.
Click here to watch the video - 11m55s
How will you develop your online presence in 2012?
Join Michael Rogers, Marketing and Social Networking Specialist at Support Services Unlimited, for a 20 minute discussion on social media for Associations, focusing on lessons learnt in 2011 and strategic directions for 2012. Login online or join us in-studio for this complimentary interactive session.
If you haven't gotten involved in social media, we will be looking at case studies and success stories of 2011. If you have, understand which tools and trends to plan your strategy around for 2012. Foursquare, Google+ and YouTube are just some of the platforms that will be big in the New Year - how will your Association measure up?
Click here to watch the video - 31m06s
Have you established your online content strategy? Viral-videos, document collaboration, or members-only; all of our content has a purpose and an intended audience. What are you doing to protect the security of some content, while maximizing exposure for the rest?
Jay Nelson, VP Technology Initiatives, shares some simple steps on how you can develop your online content management strategy to best suit your organization's objectives.
Click here to watch the video - 15m05s
Join Michael Rogers, Marketing and Social Networking Specialist, for a complimentary session on how to effectively listen, respond, and adapt to your valuable member feedback.
Social media sites are powerful for more than just outbound communication - they are also extremely active listening posts. In the age of online communications and social networks, it is easier than ever for your members to express their opinions; are you capturing this valuable information, or letting it vanish into the online ocean of content?
Click here to watch the video - 31m06s
Are public speaking engagements keeping you up at night? Gather the confidence and skills you need to master the crowd and become a media star with Executive Speaking Coach Narges Nirumvala.
A few simple tips can set you up for success for your next AGM presentation, media appearance, or guest lecture. As the face of your organization, are you commanding respect and inspiring action in your audience, or putting them to sleep? Join us for this complimentary 20-minute session and turn your Board of Directors into media stars.
Click here to watch the video - 12m
Strategic planning is critical to the success of your Association. We are talking about your future here - it shouldn't be boring!
This session will talk about how to create a strategic plan that is effective, easy-to-follow and that gets everyone excited and pulling on the same set of oars to help turn your Association’s strategy into a reality.
Join Carol-Anne Moutinho from the Association Resource Centre for this session on Strategic Planning for Associations.
Click here to watch the video - 19m
Join Certified Hospitality Sales Professional Lydia Miller for this engaging 20-minute session on defining your culture and effectively communicating it through your staff.
The benefits of a defined community culture can be plentiful for your organization; greater public awareness and recognition, improved customer service and a more productive team. Leverage this culture by getting everyone on your team of staff and volunteers in alignment. Don't be missing out!
Click here to watch the video - 11m
If you are involved with any board of directors in the non-profit sector, this is a must-see session featuring Darlene Hyde, governance expert and Executive Director at NAIOP Vancouver and the BC Association of Medical Radiation Technologists.
Good governance is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Join us for this complimentary 20-minute session where we discuss the do’s and don’ts of effective governance in the world of non-profits, and how you can be a better board member.
Click here to watch the video - 28m 53s
Join us for a complimentary 20 minute session with customer retention and growth management expert Ric Arnold on Monday, May 28th while he explains the Keys to Building a GREAT Association. Join us in our comfortable Gastown studio, or tune in online from anywhere with live interactive audio and video broadcast. .
Presented by, Ric Arnold, a leading expert in customer retention and growth management in b2b and retail markets. For over 30 years, Ric has travelled all over Canada and the US, learning, developing, implementing and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Click here to watch the video - 28m 53s
Join us for a complimentary 20 minute session with Chris Goward, Co-Founder and President of Wider Funnel. Let Chris help your association grow as he talks about how YOU can attract members with "Conversion Optimization"
through using your associations website, in this weeks Association Night!
Click here to watch the video - 28m 53s
Association websites lacking SEO basics make it difficult for users to find content related to their industry. A little SEO strategy could help them show up in more industry related searches. This talk aims to explain SEO basics and best-practices that can help association websites improve rankings in search results. But SEO is not a one-time thing.
SEO is always changing. Google updates its algorithm several times a week. SEO and Social Media have become linked together. Great content optimized for search and shared socially is the new SEO. At its core SEO is about producing great content - optimizing that content and sharing it through social channels. So if you have a website, you need to use SEO best practices when developing that content.This will help users searching your industry related terms find the information they're looking for.
Join us for a complimentary 20-minute session with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) expert Steven Tait.
Click here to watch the video - 24m 15s
As executives and board members, understanding governance is essential to maintaining the reputation, integrity, and compliance of your association. This session will assist you in identifying common problems with governance and provide you with a better understanding of constitutions and bylaws.
Join us for a complimentary 20-minute session with legal & governance expert for non-profits Anders Ourom
Click here to watch the video - 15m 36s
Wouldn't you rather listen to a story than a sales pitch? We all know what it's like to attend boring lectures, media appearances and AGM presentations; don't leave your audience sleeping - leave them smiling!
This presentation will give you insight into the key elements of good storytelling and why it's more important than ever to your communication, marketing and fundraising efforts.
Join Executive Speaking Coach, Narges Nirumvala for complimentary 20-minute session that will turn you into a speaking superstar!
Click here to watch the video - 39m 36s
An organizational communication specialist, Carol J. Sutton holds certificates in mediation and conflict resolution (Cert.ConRes.) from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
This one hour webinar is designed to lead board members and others through a thought process that improves one's ability to collaborate, while lowering the prospect of conflict.
What's puzzling you about communication with another person? Get a "cheat sheet" on how to deal with them at this session.
Click here to watch the video - 39m 12s
Narges Nirumvala is the Founder and CEO of ExecutiveSpeak Coaching International. She is much sought after speaker, executive speech coach, corporate trainer and an accomplished business writer.
Having difficulty connecting with your audience including your board and membership? Join us for tips on how to build rapport and encourage communication.
Click here to watch the video - 36m 28s
Over the years, Darlene Hyde has provided governance advice to countless non-profit association boards. More recently she has become the Executive Director of both NAIOP Vancouver and BCAMRT.
Being a board member doesn't have to be scary. In this presentation you'll learn some great tips on how to manage your tasks while keeping the association's goals in mind. Including:
Why is board governance such a hot topic these days?
What are the characteristics of ineffective boards?
What do high performing not for profit boards look like?
Ten best practices for excellent governance
Checklist for the not for profit board member
Click here to watch the video - 36m 28s
Join us for a panel discussion with our three speakers who will take your questions on governance live!
About our Speakers:
Carol Sutton:
An organizational communication specialist, Carol J. Sutton holds certificates in mediation and conflict resolution (Cert.ConRes.) from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Narges Nirumvala:
Narges Nirumvala is the Founder and CEO of ExecutiveSpeak Coaching International. She is much sought after speaker, executive speech coach, corporate trainer and an accomplished business writer.
Darlene Hyde:
Over the years, Darlene Hyde has provided governance advice to countless non-profit association boards. More recently she has become the Executive Director of both NAIOP Vancouver and BCAMRT.
Click here to watch the video - 36m 28s
Do your supporters want to be able to access your websites on the go? Over 30% of Canadians own smartphones, so there's a good chance the answer is yes. The good news is that there's a range of ways to make your site mobile-friendly depending on your needs. This webinar will provide a high-level overview of this topic from a non-techie perspective.
Tierney is the Manager of Learning & Special Projects at TechSoup Canada, where she works to build technology capacity in the nonprofit sector. She also has experience developing software in the corporate sector and has a degree in Software Engineering from the University of Waterloo. You can find out about what she's up to on her blog or on Twitter at @tierneys.
Click here to watch the video - 36m 28s
We all know the old saying "time is money", and when it comes to managing the day-to-day tasks of associations, it is no different. Having a team behind you that understands and is equipped to manage all of your activities is integral; equally important is having a place to manage your tasks without duplication as this directly effects your survival and growth.
In this session, Vice President of Technology at Support Services Unlimited, Jay Nelson, will discuss the ways in which you can utilize technologies to facilitate the effective operation of your association.
Stay tuned for future presentation recordings, or tune in live for our next presentation. Check out our Event Calendar for a list of all upcoming events.
Support Services Unlimited regularly works with a number of companies and individuals whose expertise has contributed to our success. We are confident that they will provide the same level of service to you.
Confirming our dedication to professionalism, SSU holds membership with a number of organizations that are key in keeping us in the know.
We find ourselves regularly visiting a number of websites for information and inspiration. The following are a listing of our recommendations.
