Field Guide to Communication For Associations
(Updated October 2008)
In the world of association management, a key element to success is communication. Communicating includes how to deal effectively with staff or membership, or how to correctly transmit an e-mail message. The following resources help today's busy association executive better understand and achieve successful styles of communication. (A. Siudzinski, Information Specialist)
Successful Communication Techniques 
Making connections: Associations explore the frontier of social media, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Spring 2008).
Sticking to it, (Associations Now, Feb. 2007).
Re-imagining board communication, (Association Management, July 2005). Q
Virtual Teams: an exploration of online collaborations, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Summer 2004).
Communicating via Technology
Mastering multimedia: Associations combine traditional print media with audio and video to get the word out, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Spring 2008).
Make e-mailing easier, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Spring 2005).
Will Wi-Fi fly?, (Association Management, Aug. 2003). Q
Next generation E-mail newsletters, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Spring 2003).
Useful Websites
REALTOR® Association Executives Magazine, (National Association of REALTORS®).
American Society of Association Executives - The premier association for AE's, the ASAE website offers a wealth of information for today's association executive. Many of the website areas are inaccessible to nonmembers, however.
American Management Association International - This large website includes research statistics and samples of reports and articles.
The Association for Business Communication -The Association for Business Communication (ABC) is an International organization committed to fostering excellence in business communication scholarship, research, education, and practice.
The American Communication Association - This large website includes research statistics, reports and articles.
National Management Association - The National Management Association (NMA) is a professional leadership development association headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Nonprofit Internet Strategies: Best Practices for Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising Success (Adobe eReader)
Powerful Conversations: How High Impact Leaders Communicate (Mobipocket)
Fire Up Your Communication Skills (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Corporate communications for executives, (Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1998). HF 5721 G63
Spokesperson training: Strategies for today's public communicators, (Chicago, IL: Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute, n.d.). VT287
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Association Shared Services
Field Guide to Technology for Association Executives
REALTOR® Association Resource Exchange
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
E-mail 
