The MWACA executive board is excited to present this leadership resource email to you. We understand there have been concerns across the board regarding chapters, events, and other items. We hope you can take away actionable items, inspiration, and a great sense of pride in the impactful work you do.
Your time is valuable and we are grateful for each leadership position – we truly wouldn’t be able to have chapter events if it weren’t for you. Thanks for volunteering your time to be a leader in MWACA!
As volunteer leaders within the Midwest Auto Care Alliance (MWACA), you embody the very essence of our mission statement: to strive for and promote professionalism and excellence within the independent automotive service industry. Your dedication and commitment to this cause have a profound impact on our association’s members and contributors. You are the driving force behind the education, training, support, mentoring, and fellowship that define MWACA.
Being a leader means more than just holding a title; it means inspiring others, fostering growth, and creating a community where everyone feels valued and supported. Your leadership sets the tone for the entire organization, guiding us towards our shared vision of excellence in the automotive service industry.
As we move forward together, let us continue to embrace our roles with passion and purpose. Let us lead by example, always striving to elevate the standards of professionalism and excellence in everything we do. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of our members and the industry as a whole.
Recently, the leadership team has observed common challenges across our chapters, including low attendance, waning commitment to events and meetings, and concerns about content relevance. We understand the frustration and uncertainty these issues can bring, but we want you to know that you are not alone in facing them.
Below is a collection of resources gathered for the MWACA board members to review, use, and get inspired by. Check back here when you’re looking for encouragement as this will be updated from time to time.
How Great Leaders Inspire Action – Simon Sinek
“People Don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” – Simon Sinek.
Simon’s golden circle explains why the world’s greatest leaders and innovators are so successful. Adapting this method to your event planning and leadership will connect you with people on a new level.
How to Speak So That People Want to Listen – Julian Treasure
Have you ever felt like you’re talking, but nobody is listening? Here’s Julian Treasure to help. In this useful talk, the sound expert demonstrates the how-to’s of powerful speaking — from some handy vocal exercises to tips on how to speak with empathy. A talk that might help the world sound more beautiful
Where Joy Hides and How To Find It – Ingrid Fetell Lee
“We are obsessed with the pursuit of happiness, and yet in the process, we kind of overlook joy.” -Ingrid Fetell Lee
Joy can be found in many different places, but is found in your chapter? Understand where joy comes from and see how you can incorporate it in your next event.
How to Get Good at Small Talk, and Even Enjoy It – Matt Abrahams
“Your goal is to be interested, not interesting.” – Rachel Matchmaker.
Whether you love it, hate it, are good at it, or bad, small talk is a necessity for building a community. Discover the tips to get good at small talk and maybe even find some enjoyment along the way.
The Beauty and Complexity of Finding Common Ground – Matt Trombley
“..sometimes we all suffer from the same condition: Agonism. So let’s talk about what agonism is.” – Matt Trombley
Creating positive change in the community often comes with challenges, and conflict is unavoidable. Seeking common ground and areas of agreement will not only build a community, but it will strengthen the respect and inclusivity of the community. Take away a new perspective about common ground and implement it the next time there is a conflict in your community.
The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations – Charles Duhigg
“Successful communication requires recognizing what kind of conversation is occurring, and then matching one another.” – Charles Duhigg
Whenever we speak, we’re participating in one of three conversations: practical, emotional, and social. Understanding this principal and how to identify where a conversation is going can lead to a much more fulfilling and positive conversation. Learn more about Charles’ tips for recognizing conversations.
As MWACA chapter leaders, we’re in the business of creating experiences for members that they will enjoy and that encourages them to stay engaged and involved. Building up the event experience from a foundational level can help elevate the event for everyone involved. Using the information below, think about the different parts of an event or chapter meeting and find ways to create more engaging moments that lead to great event experiences.
Mapping out your current event experience, breaking the event into the major touchpoints will help you understand the event from your attendee’s perspective. Examples of major touchpoints include:
For each touchpoint, identify opportunities for creating a memorable experience.
Focusing on the moments in an event that lift an attendee out of the ordinary and into another level of understanding, connectivity, or experience can deepen the attendees excitement and commitment to the organization.
Attendees will look forward to meetings if they feel comfortable and excited to be there with like minded individuals. If there is a lack of conversation and natural mingling, your events may need an ice breaker in the beginning to naturally foster conversations and friendships.
Including a 10-15min ice breaker in the beginning can ease nerves and set the mood for the event.
(as discussed during leadership summit)
Realistically evaluate the event for what it was. The measure of success for an event is the experience rating rather than the number of people who attended.
If your current event/attendance has not been working, it’s time to break the cycle and try new ways to engage, excite, and bring in members.
Shop owners and others in the industry are joining MWACA for the benefits that are offered, but they stay for the company and peer connection they get from people. Establishing a genuine connection with your members will not only strengthen your chapter, but it will naturally build event attendance and retention as people become “bought in” to your chapter.
Reaching out to members, and engaging with them is a crucial step that any board member can do at any time. Some board members have created incredible value is simply visiting member shops and supporting them where they are at. As new members join MWACA, being one of the first to officially welcome and make them feel a part of the organization can have an incredible lasting impression.
Below is a collection of articles gathered for the MWACA board members to review, use, and get inspired by. Check back here when you’re looking for encouragement as this will be updated from time to time.
By: Ashley Uhl | Aug, 14 2019
FOMO, or fear of missing out, can be a useful strategy to get members to attend in-person and virtual events. Here are 10 ways to instill urgency and engagement into events.
Associations may struggle to get members to events, conferences, and webinars. After all, they’re strapped for time, budgets are tight, and resources are popping up every day competing for their attention. To get people to pay attention and participate in events, associations must find ways to create FOMO (fear of missing out). Here are 10 ways to do just that:
By: Asaf Darash
It doesn’t matter how well-planned your event is; if you don’t understand how to get people to show up, it will all be for nothing.
That’s why in this post, we’ll cover the 13 essential steps to boosting attendance at your next event.
We’ll cover everything from planning it the right way, through marketing it and incentivizing signups, to running a successful and engaging event that will be the talk of your industry for years to come.
By: MemberClicks| Jan, 9 2024
Now is a great time to be thinking about new member recruitment for your association. Your future members are likely more primed than ever for that feeling of community that comes from joining an association.
Before we dive into 10 ideas for how to go about recruiting new members, we want to cover some of the basics. But if you’re just looking for ideas, you can jump down.
Inspired to enhance your event experience? Here are some simple, but effective actions you can do to begin making a difference in your event strategy.
Do you have an example of something you do at an event or chapter meeting that elevates the experience? Let Brady know at brady@mwaca.org and we’ll get it added to the webpage. Ideas that work for your chapter, may work at another, so it’s crucial to share useful information and examples when we can so everyone can have an elevated event experience.
Below is a collection of resources gathered for the MWACA board members to review, use, and get inspired by. Check back here when you’re looking for encouragement as this will be updated from time to time.
A free online education platform that houses information and training on a variety of topics that is meant for nonprofit leaders and boards. With over 600 free learning resources to help you and your nonprofit do more good. Signing up is free, and once you do - obtain access to a wide variety of training tools and courses.
These free leadership courses offer both leadership and management topics and trainings to better understand leadership from an organizational perspective, as well as build on existing skills.
Do you have a free resource you want to share? Email Brady at brady@mwaca.org and we'll get it added to this leadership toolbox!
Communicate with your event manager effectively, efficiently, and often. They are there to support, advise, and help plan the event, but they’re not able to attend every event. Communicate with them what’s working, what’s not working, and bring your own opinions and solutions so you can leave the conversation with actionable items to make a difference.