NZVA CEO Julie Hood was invited to speak at a recent networking lunch organised by the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE). The event focused on strategic planning for membership growth.

AuSAE is a professional society whose purpose is to equip leaders working in not-for-profit organisations with the information, tools and networks they need to better achieve the vision of their organisations; essentially it is the association for associations.

A total of 55 organisations attended collectively representing a broad range of not-for-profits (small to large).

The focus of Julie’s speech was on the future of the NZVA – our strategic goals, how we measure our success, what is important to our members as gleamed from surveys, and how we transform these findings into actions.

Julie outlined the results of NZVA’s participation in an Australasian membership satisfaction survey which highlighted that the top priorities for our members are to be kept informed on the latest developments impacting the profession, accessing quality (affordable) professional development, and networking opportunities. NZVA rated most highly for its delivery of up to date information to members and did better than many other associations in its communications and delivery of events. Julie emphasised however that associations need to continually adapt to meet the changing expectations of their members – including how information is delivered – and that they need to be able to respond and change quickly.

Julie said the NZVA is in a strong position following an internal review of its systems to make it more streamlined and efficient, and that there is support from staff and members for the NZVA to deliver on its 2020 strategy. She said the NZVA’s Marketing the Profession project was focusing on the profession’s competitive advantages to achieve a viable and sustainable profession into the future.

Julie’s speech was so well received by attendees that a coffee morning has been organised for Julie to answer more in-depth questions from AuSAE members about the detail of NZVA’s work to boost membership.

Julie did note this may mean that at least one of the NZVA’s Strategic Key Performance Indicators is on the way to being achieved – to be the envy of all other Associations (in the world!). “Veterinarians don’t do things by halves”, Julie said, and this is a very good example! 

You can read Julie’s speech here…