A Message from the FSAE Board of Directors:

The recent death of George Floyd has sparked a renewed and intense call for social justice. It is our hope that this movement is loud and strong enough to compel government and institutional leaders to make substantive changes to policies and practices. Changes that will ensure all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, especially those in black communities who have suffered fundamental inequalities for far too long. Although a good starting point, systemic change begins with us, in our own hearts. It is nurtured in our families and cultivated in our organizations, our communities, and our country.

Thank you for participating in our 2020 FSAE Board Elections. We are pleased to announce our 2020-21 Board of Directors:

OFFICERS

With so much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida’s reopening, the FSAE Board of Directors has voted to move the Annual Conference to a fully virtual event.

This was a difficult decision for everyone, with the health and safety of our attendees, FSAE staff and hotel employees paramount in the Board’s decision.

The FSAE Foundation is proud to announce its 2020 Grant Recipients. Thanks to our generous corporate partners and member contributions, we’ve awarded 32 grants totaling $18,930 for professional development funding. Thank you to all our contributors that make this possible!

Hilton Diversity & Inclusion Grant

Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and others are leading an effort to make changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to allow for more flexibility for use of the funds. Next week the House is also expected to vote on the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) to make changes to loan forgiveness in the current PPP. As of now, both of those efforts do not include associations. Help us send the message to Congress: don’t leave associations behind in any modifications of the PPP.

We need your help to weigh in with Congress to include 501(c)(6) nonprofit associations. ASAE and other association advocates have reached out to ask for associations to be included, but we know Congress needs to hear from more voices. We are asking association professionals to reach out to any contacts in the House or Senate your organization may have, or call your representatives, and ask for associations to be included in the Paycheck Protection Program. View sample text for the House and Senate to share via email with your contacts or over the phone. (Word doc)

The FSAE Board of Directors currently has three (3) At-Large positions to be filled by election of the FSAE Executive Membership, and one (1) Associate At-Large position to be filled by election of the FSAE Associate Membership. Voting Ends Tuesday, May 26 at Midnight.

VIEW CANDIDATES & VOTE

Last week we sent out a survey to our executive and associate members to gauge where members are in regards to your own conferences as well as your comfort level on attending any conferences or meetings, including the FSAE Annual Conference this July. We had 350 participate and we want to thank everyone who gave us feedback!

What we learned from the survey is that members are pretty comfortable (29%), not sure (20%) or nervous about the idea (29%) of attending FSAE20. The biggest concerns are the safety measures that will be in place onsite as well as what happens as the state begins to re-open. Safety is our biggest concern too. We are working closely with the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek staff to ensure social distancing and minimal contact policies are in place, so provided the state is in Phase 3 of re-opening, we will have Annual Conference this July. Register Now

FSAE President & CEO Frank Rudd was recently featured on the Fluent in Floridian podcast, produced by SalterMitchell PR. In the podcast, Frank discusses the importance of associations - especially in these difficult times, as well as how FSAE is helping our members. Check it out:

For several years, the FSAE Young & Emerging Professionals Committee has hosted a food drive to support local food banks around the state at our May events. Just because our events are now virtual, they didn't want to cancel the drives - especially now that food banks are used more than ever to support families affected by the economy and schools not meeting in-person. Please join us for the FSAE YEP Virtual Event - Virtual Food Drive to donate to your local food bank.

VIRTUAL EVENT - VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE
Hosted by the FSAE Young & Emerging Professionals Committee

Nominate your peers to be recognized for their service and commitment to FSAE and the association industry.

Deadline: May 8

 FSAE is partnering with our members from the Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center/Florida College of Emergency Physicians to help make sure emergency room doctors, nurses and first responders throughout the state have the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to safely do their jobs and take care of us. Our goal is to connect our members’ members/contacts (your members) with their staff to coordinate local donations of supplies of any masks, gloves, face shields, gowns, shoe/head covers, eye protection, etc. that your members may have that aren’t currently being used. 

Donate Smarter has also joined the campaign accepting monetary donations to help facilities buy PPE supplies with their Every Hero Needs a Mask campaign.

FSAE is working with ASAE and other states to petition Congress and President Trump to include professional and trade associations in phase 4 of the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and we need your help.

ASAE has authored sign-on letters to Congress and the Trump Administration and we ask your organization to add its name by tomorrow, Thursday, April 2, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern.

On Friday, March 27 the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, providing over $2 trillion for emergency aid to Americans and businesses. The Act does allow relief for 501(c)(3) non-profits, but unfortunately 501(c)(6) organizations were omitted from this round of relief.

However, The US Chamber reports that most 501(c)(6)s are eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans through the Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. “This program has been in place, but was modified in this stimulus package,” The Chamber states. “One modification is that (c)(6)s can apply for a modest $10,000 advance to help with payroll, and that $10,000 does not have to be repaid.”

A message from Frank Rudd:

I hope this email finds you healthy and well during the COVID-19 crisis. This is truly an unprecedented time and our thoughts are with all of our members. We know you are all struggling to find some normalcy in the chaos and that our Associate friends are all struggling to keep the doors open. We have never needed each other more - and I know our association community and FSAE family will emerge stronger from this turmoil.

By Jennifer Norman, Novi AMS

With so much uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, you as a leader of your association, have the opportunity to provide some balance and normalcy for your employees.

FSAE continues to monitor updates from the CDC and government officials in regards to COVID-19 and events/gatherings. With the most recent update, and being cautious of the health and safety of our members and staff, the March Power Luncheon has been cancelled and the March CEO Roundtable has been postponed.

In regards to our April meetings, we will make a determination soon as more information is available. Like you, we are taking this day by day, and doing the best we can with the information we have.

Now is your chance to join the leadership to move the association industry forward!

Deadline to Apply: Monday, April 6, 2020. 

The FSAE Nominating Committee is seeking nominations (Self-Nominations only) for individuals with leadership and management experience to serve as Directors At-Large on the FSAE Board of Directors.

A Message on the Coronavirus from FSAE President/CEO Frank Rudd:

FSAE, like everyone else, is closely watching the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effects in Florida and the nation. We understand the concerns for the health and safety of yourself, your staff and your members, as well as the financial impact we all hope to avoid. We know that our Associate Members are feeling the pain of travel cancellations during this busy spring-break season, and our Executives are concerned about meetings planned around the state in the next several months.

The CDC has released guidelines for large meetings or community gatherings. They aren't advising against travel or meetings, but do recommend planners are prepared before, during and after an event.

Planning tips, resources and updated information can be found on the link below:

cdc guidelines

The 2019-20 CAE Commission Chair Donte P. Shannon, CAE shared 2020 updates on the CAE application and renewal process. Updates include:

• Ethics Requirement upon Renewal
  Starting in 2020, anyone renewing their CAE will be required to fulfill one of their 40 credits with an ethics-focused credit. This credit is included in the 40 required every three years. You will not need an additional credit to renew. Education that meets CAE credit criteria and has “ethics” in the title or official description will count towards the requirement.