Strategic Summer Planning: 6 Ways Associations Can Reflect, Refresh, and Reset This Summer
As the spring event season concludes and the slower pace of summer begins, this is an ideal time for association leaders and management teams to focus on internal operations. The quieter months of June and July offer a valuable opportunity for summer planning to help associations run more smoothly and effectively.
At SBI Association Management, we dedicate time each summer to review lessons learned, refresh systems, and prepare our clients for the coming year. Whether you partner with an association management firm, rely on nonprofit consulting services, or manage everything in-house, summer is the perfect time to reflect and reset.
Below are several key areas we prioritize during this season and recommend for every organization’s summer planning.
Reflect on the Spring Season
Spring is typically filled with conferences, annual meetings, trainings, and member events. Once the season wraps up, it is important to reflect while experiences and insights are still fresh.
At SBI, we conduct both internal and client-facing debriefs to gather feedback and document key takeaways. We ask questions such as what worked well, where challenges emerged, how attendees and sponsors responded, and what improvements can be made.
As a full-service association management company and conference planning company, we apply these insights to enhance future events and strengthen volunteer engagement and member experiences.
Website Quality Review
An association’s website serves as a primary connection point for members and prospective members. Over time, small errors and outdated content can accumulate.
Summer allows for the time to conduct an extensive review of each client’s site. We examine content accuracy, navigation paths, branding consistency, and mobile responsiveness. We also review association management software and nonprofit membership management software to ensure that membership data and website content are aligned.
This is also a great opportunity to assess whether key content is easy to find. Are we getting emails from members or users who can’t locate important information? If so, it’s a sign we need to improve the visibility and accessibility of our content.
Maintaining a polished and functional website supports both member engagement and nonprofit marketing efforts throughout the year.
File Organization and Clean-Up
After months of active project work, marketing campaigns, and event planning, digital file systems often become disorganized. A well-maintained file structure saves time, reduces frustration, and supports better collaboration.
Each summer, our team works to archive outdated files, reorganize shared folders, and apply consistent file naming conventions. These small steps make it easier for staff, volunteer leaders, and executive management teams to access key documents and operate more efficiently.
Member Database Maintenance
Accurate membership data powers everything from member renewals to nonprofit email marketing campaigns. Summer is an ideal time to review and refresh these records.
Our team audits membership management software and membership CRM platforms to eliminate duplicate records, correct incomplete information, and update segmentation fields. For organizations using nonprofit membership software or nonprofit membership management tools, this process ensures clean, reliable data that supports more personalized and effective communication.
Address Financial and Operational Health
Summer also provides time to review the financial and operational health of organizations. We collaborate with clients to refine financial reporting, review nonprofit bookkeeping services, and identify opportunities for improvement.
For many clients, this is also the right moment to explore nonprofit financial consulting services or update contracts with key vendors. Taking the time now ensures smoother operations as the busy fall season begins.
Plan for the Year Ahead
Finally, we use the summer months to proactively plan for the future. This includes developing and updating marketing strategies, content calendars, and refreshing event templates.
We also help clients prepare volunteer management software and processes to support greater volunteer engagement in upcoming programs. Summer is a natural time to step back and ensure that your association management strategies and tools are aligned with your long-term goals.
A Season of Opportunity
Although summer may bring fewer events and member activities, it is a strategic time of year to refresh a strong operational foundation. Thoughtful summer planning helps associations and nonprofit organizations operate more efficiently and deliver excellent service to their members.
Ready to kick off summer planning for your association? SBI’s experienced team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our association management services and how we can support your goals this season.
