In this age of rapidly advancing technology an association’s time-to-value continues to shorten as we are measured against Google and Amazon. In order to keep competitive our information needs to be legitimate and unique, something that cannot be achieved through free online resources. Can this be found within a 30 second search, is it unique to us, and is it relevant to our members? These are the questions that need to be considered when planning for the future. So how is CCBO doing with its time-to-value metric? Due to an updated website and member portal, CCBO benefits are more accessible than ever with less than two minutes needed to join and access any member benefit. Our largest opportunity for growth is our value metric. CCBO has long been a place where members come to learn, but it’s time for CCBO to be a place where members come to problem solve. As a volunteer led association CCBO can provide problem solving solutions through the CCBO Forum, online education, and the Bottom Line.

The CCBO Forum is a new member benefit that went live at the 2015 CCBO Annual International Conference. All CCBO members can access the Forum to ask questions, post answers, and share resources. Similar benefits have been offered by associations for many years; to remain relevant, CCBO will need to promote quality materials that are unique to our membership niche. As a volunteer led association we rely on our members to provide the content for the Forum. It takes less than five minutes to post something to the Forum for a long lasting value. Policy examples, contract templates etc. are all useful items for our members. Is there something that you need to help you succeed? Ask advice from your CCBO colleagues through the Forum! Learn more

CCBO hosts one in-person event a year and multiple online education events for all other group learning. CCBO currently relies on volunteers to share expertise by putting on 60-minute educational events that include a lecture and a Q&A session. This education method is important as it allows for group learning throughout the year and flexible learning from one’s desk. To continue offering this industry standard, we rely on our experienced and knowledgeable volunteers. We work with all presenters to help identify an important topic and execute a quality webinar. Submit a webinar idea today! Learn more

The Bottom Line is our quarterly newsletter where timely articles explore problem solving strategies. This is a platform for our members to be published and boost their resumes while educating their peers. There are always events that impact our business officers, from budgetary cuts to student success research, and the Bottom Line is the place where business officers learn to strategize for long-term success during newly arisen challenges. As a volunteer led association, we rely on our members to use their expert knowledge for impactful articles. We know that you keep abreast of current events and that your departments are constantly preparing for, and responding to, new challenges. Submit an article and publish your best practices for our July publication. Learn more

CCBO is a wonderful association made up of knowledgeable and ambitious members. As a volunteer led association, we are in a strategic position to provide quality and relevant education. From our real time problem solving on the CCBO Forum, to group learning through online education, and our articles on current events in the Bottom Line, CCBO is poised to be a legitimate one stop shop for community college business officers looking to learn and problem solve. As a member of this association you hold a big responsibility to share your knowledge and expertise for the betterment of your association and your profession. We rely on you to help CCBO succeed in its mission to transform lives through skills essential for collaboration and sustainability. I urge you to take a moment out of your day and identify a way that you can give back to your association and help a colleague achieve success at their institution. If you would like more information on how to be involved in our educational programs please contact Emily Welty, CCBO managing director, at emily.welty@ccbo.org.