Who We Are Founded in 1916, the Association Forum of Chicagoland
today serves 47,000 Chicagoland association professionals whose efforts serve 37 million members and
9 million donors. The activities of Chicagoland associations generate $22
billion in global annual economic impact.
Every year, Chicagoland associations sponsor more than 30,000 meetings,
seminars, conventions and trade shows in the Chicago area. These events attract
more than 2 million attendees.
The Forum is the "association of associations" for more than 1,500
businesses, charitable, civic and professional organizations headquartered in
the Chicagoland area. The Forum's 3,000+ members are the CEOs and staff
professionals of these national, state and nonprofit organizations, plus vendors
of goods and services to these businesses.
The Forum provides essential learning, compelling experiences and powerful
resources that advance the professional practice of association management.
Structure and Governance
The Association Forum of Chicagoland is incorporated under the Illinois
Not-For-Profit Corporation Act and tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(6) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The Forum is governed by a 12-person board of
directors and managed by a 15-person professional staff. The Forum is an
independent organization. Members of the Forum are not members of any
other organization, or vice versa, although the Forum does have strategic
alliances with the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for
Association Leadership.
History
At the dawn of the 20th century, as America was changing from an agrarian to
an industrial economy, Chicago association professionals created the
association management profession when they founded this organization.
Today, at the dawn of the 21st century, as the world changes from an industrial
to an information economy, Chicagoland-based associations and
their professionals continue to advance the power of association and their
individuals through the Association Forum.
Significant dates in Association Forum history include:
1916
On May 26, W.H. Boyd, field secretary of the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, invites 18 "association professionals" to a luncheon
at the Grand Pacific Hotel to organize a "secretarial association for the
promotion of secretarial efficiency." (Association professionals were then
titled "Secretary" of the corporation.) On September 28, the world's first
professional society of association professionals is born when sixteen
charter members formally organize the "Chicago Business Secretaries
Forum." Their slogan: "Better secretaries!"
1919
The Forum produces the first salary survey for
association personnel. Average CEO salary: $8,000.
1920
Forum leaders are instrumental in the creation
of the American Trade Executives Association, later to become the American
Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
1921
Forum leaders are instrumental in creating the
National School for Business Secretaries, now known as the Institute for
Organization Management, conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"Institute" is conducted at Northwestern University under the 1950s.
Institute remains the nation's oldest adult continuing education program.
1930s
The title of association secretary declines
in popularity. The Forum's name is changed to the "Trade Association
Executives Forum of Chicago." Membership is limited to trade association
CEOs.
1940s
Emerging from the Great Depression and World
War II, American business is unshackled from wartime price controls and
government regulation. The economy booms and the number of associations
grows, especially individual membership societies.
1950s
The Forum's name is changed to the
"Association Executives Forum of Chicago," and CEOs of the growing professional
society movement are invited to join.
1960s
ASAE starts the Chartered Association
Executive (CAE) program. The Forum changes its name to the Chicago Society
of Association Executives. The first full-time CEO is hired.
1970s
Membership is opened to
management professionals and supplier partners for the first time.
CSAE forms the nation's first CAE study group and job/résumé service.
1980s
CSAE's focus shifts from social events to
education programming for all levels of job titles and expertise in nonprofit
management. The "Ask the Experts," awards, bookstore, foundation, Holiday
Showcase exhibition, and library programs are created. CSAE retains a
lobbyist in Springfield. FORUM magazine is transformed into a
four-color tabloid.
1990s
Association 101, career counseling,
Information Resource Center, Professional Practice Statements, Shared Interest
Groups, Technology Solutions Day, and Web sites are created. First diversity
policy is adopted. The organization's name is changed to the Association Forum
of Chicagoland.
2000s
The Forum Promise focuses on "Essential Learning, Compelling
Experiences and Powerful Resources" in support of three major goals: Improve the
Quality of Practice, Enhance the Place of
Practice, Ensure the Freedom of Practice. Association Week debuts as
an annual celebration of Chicagoland's association community. New educational initiatives, online resources,
networking opportunities, expanded advocacy efforts and other entrepreneurial activities contribute to dramatic
growth in membership. The Forum establishes its Workforce
Diversity Partnership, a commitment to increase the number
of diverse management personnel employed by Chicagoland
associations.
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