Chair Induction

Seb Elsworth, Director of Strategy, ACEVO

Using member research to inform the strategic planning

process

Background

• Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary

Organisations (ACEVO)

• Est 1987 as “club” for CEOs to support each other• Support, develop, connect and represent

– Events, networking, – information, lobbying

• 2000 members

Why 2007?

• April 2008 – 2011 Strategic Plan to be

developed

• 20th anniversary

• Plateau in member numbers

• “Unengaged 2/3rds” - who/what/why?

• Budget available

Research approach

• Tender process

• Chose Elucidation

– Qualitative telephone interviews

– Quantitative postal survey

– Follow up calls to ensure regional representation

• 25% response rate – good for a time poor audience

Findings

• Satisfaction – 50%

• Top 5 benefits members value the most:

– Support & advice

– ACEVO’s influencing role

– Networking

– Professional Development

– Publications

3rd sector CEOs from similar organisationsPublic sector leaders

Private sector leaders

Any 3rd sector CEOsSenior managers from

3rd sector3rd sector leaders from Europe3rd sector from leaders

outside Europe

1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0Value of networking connections - 1 = Not valuable, 5 = Very valuable

Findings II

• Networking with CEOs from similar orgs

top networking preference

• Seen as “London centric” by those

outside of London

• Political agenda not embraced by all

What we did next

• Fed back internally

• Fed back to the Board with a plan of action

• Used findings in strategic planning process

• Fed back to the members through flyer

addressed from Chair

• Used selected stats for press work

What changed?

• Internal & external focus on ‘support and

advice’ services

• Secured funding for regional activity – 100

events a year outside of London

• Increased and focused on free special

interest groups

• Invested in new website/database

Strategy development

Conclusion: the good

• Helpful exercise

– Some new insights

– Substantiated what we thought we knew

• Demonstrated to members they can input/we

care

• Created a buzz/focus

Conclusion: the not so good

• Expensive to repeat regularly

• Can provide new questions:

– What do you mean by “Support and advice?”

• Organisation changes rapidly, results offer a

snapshot at x time.