Field Guide to Association Mergers & Partnerships
(Updated March 2009)
Mergers and partnerships can be advantageous to a Board or Association for a variety of reasons, including: overlapping markets, similar services, geographic considerations, cost-savings, membership benefits and wider recognition in the marketplace. Here you will find information regarding association mergers as well as information specific to REALTOR® Association mergers. You'll also find helpful websites geared towards REALTOR® Associations in addition to resources available from NAR's library, including an assortment of related Field Guides. (K. Bartlett Walsh, Quality Assurance Coordinator)
Legal and Financial Considerations of Association Mergers
Exchange of financial information
Agreement on administrative and operational aspects of the new association
Determination of control of the new association
Agreement of bylaws
Agreement on disposition of assets
Agreement of how all debts and obligations will be handled
Source: Tying the Knot: Association Mergers, (American Society of Association Executives, Dec. 2000).
Information About Association Mergers 
Transcript: Trade association mergers, (Washington Post, Nov. 14, 2005).
Making mergers work, (Associations Now, Nov. 2005).
Dos and don'ts of merger management, (Associations Now, Nov. 2005).
Growing non-dues revenue, (Association Management, Aug. 2005). Q
Association mergers and consolidations: procedural steps, (Association Management, Sept. 2004). Q
Association mergers and consolidations: strategic considerations, (Association Management, Aug. 2004). Q
Mind your merger, (Association Management, June 2003). Q
Anatomy of a merger, (Association Management, June 2002). Q
Mapping mergers - if a merger is in your association's future, scope out many route you could take to creating a new organization, (Association Management, Sept. 1999). Q
Calculating costs and savings of a merger, (Strategic Solutions, June 1999). Q
Helpful Websites/Information Resources for REALTOR® Associations
NAR Association Management, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®).
NAR Board Policy and Programs, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®).
Association Changes/Jurisdiction Matters, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®).
REALTOR® Association Models Online Planning Tool, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®).
REALTOR® Association Shared Services, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®).
REALTOR® Association Resource Exchange (RARE) , (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®).
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Building Better Boards (Adobe eReader)
Harvard Business Review on Nonprofits (Adobe eReader)
Human Resource Policies and Procedures for Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Improving Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Managing Risk in Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Nonprofit Boards that Work (Adobe eReader)
Not-for-Profit Budgeting and Financial Management (Adobe eReader)
Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Presentation Skills for Managers (Adobe eReader)
101 Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers: Controlling Fear, Commanding Attention (Overdrive Digital Audiobook)
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.
Partnering intelligence - creating value for your business by building strong alliances, (Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Publishing, 1999). HD 69 D43
Trusted partners - how companies build mutual trust and win together, (New York, NY: The Free Press, 1999). HD 69 L58
Basics of association mergers, (Glen Allen, VA: Virginia Association of REALTORS®, 1995). HF 296 V81
Merger kit, (Chicago, IL: The National Association of REALTORS®, 1993). HF 296 N21MK
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Strategic Planning for Associations
Field Guide to Association Shared Services
>> 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.
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