The Power of A

Registration is now open for American Associations Day 2010, the only legislative fly-in for association professionals and leadership volunteers to discuss association issues.  On March 23-24, 2010, association executives, staff, and volunteer leaders are encouraged to join their colleagues from across the country in educating Congress about the importance of associations to society, advocating for important association issues, and networking with their colleagues.  You can register for the event at www.asaecenter.org/flyin10.

Last year, attendees of American Associations Day visited their Congressional delegations to discuss health care reform, the value of association to economic recovery, and the importance of association business meetings to the country.  These issues have been hot topics in Congressional debate this year, and the association professionals who attended were able to influence the debate by sharing an association viewpoint.

This year ASAE will unveil new components of its Power of A campaign at the fly-in, including new informational materials and an emphasis on the power of associations as a force for positive economic and social change.  Keep checking www.thepowerofa.org for more details on these changes.  In addition to the unveiling, this year’s program will feature an interactive and informative session on year-round grassroots advocacy, as well as enhanced meet-and-greet opportunities with fellow association executives and members of Congress.  For more information on this year’s event as well as a review of last year, please visit www.asaecenter.org/flyin.

ASAE is committed to ensuring that the cost of travel is not a reason association professionals cannot attend; ASAE is offering a number of $300 reimbursement travel scholarships to defray some of the travel costs for attendees.  Attendees also have access to discounted room rates in the headquarters hotel and a one-day program that allows participants to receive a travel scholarship by attending only one day of the program.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.asaecenter.org/flyin or call 202.626.2703.  For those on Twitter, ASAE is encouraging you to use the hashtag #asaeflyin when tweeting about the event.

Quick Hits

The Medicare/public option switch seems satisfactory to most Senate Democrats… but some are still waiting for the final price tag before committing to voting for the change… Lawmakers are working with communications associations to expand the use of cell phones in subway systems… An important agreement is reached in the House on the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act.