7th UIA Associations Round Table Europe 2013

UIA Associations Round Table Logo

Date & Venue

12 November 2013

Pullman Hotel Brussels Midi

Place Victor Horta 1
1060 Brussels
Belgium

We thank everyone who contributed to making the 7th UIA Associations Round Table - Europe a success!

Thank you to the association representatives for your participation, your discussions, your questions.

Thank you to the speakers for your ideas and enthusiasm and thought-provoking presentations.

Thank you to our partners. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Photos of the event are available, as well as the list of participants.

Speakers’ presentations

Ensuring value for your members, facilitated by Susan Robertson, The Center for Association Leadership of ASAE – American Society of Association Executives

Fundraising, facilitated by Catherine Roberts, Director of Governance, and Ann Brookes, Fund Development Director, WAGGGS – World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (with thanks to Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong)

European VAT for associations, facilitated by Brent Springael, Bird & Bird, on behalf of FAIB – Federation of European and International Associations Established in Belgium

The Wisdom of Love - Leading with Heart and Integrity, presented by Ralph Blundell, EBBF – European Bahá’í Business Forum

Ralph Blundell

EBBF – European Bahá’í Business Forum

Ralph leads RBSC - Ralph Blundell Strategy Consulting, an organisational and leadership development consultancy that focuses on authentic leadership, top team development, leading change, and the creative potential of diversity. He founded his company in January 2000, he has been helping organisations and leaders grow and transform ever since.

We believe that every company must be focussed on core purpose and success; sustainable economic development and global prosperity are the engine that will help us achieve a better world.

Ralph is a passionate believer in the potential of globalisation to promote positive change. His consultancy is built around this vision; our team is at the centre of a worldwide colleague network who share the same values yet bring diverse skills, perspectives and cultures. Once we understand what our clients need (and we don’t think one approach will work for all) they benefit from a virtual team with global reach and wide sector expertise, and we enjoy a dynamic and rich working and learning environment.

In his own work Ralph:

  • Leads rbsc’s financial services and leadership practices
  • Facilitates top teams and coaches senior leaders
  • Supports post-merger integration
  • Guides strategic change in complex organisations
  • Designs and runs leadership development programmes
  • Leads large-scale whole system change events
  • Speaks and writes on business ethics and leadership

Born in London, Ralph was educated at Durham, Newcastle and Lancaster Universities. He spent more than 20 years in public service and CSO’s before establishing rbsc. He trained in Gestalt couple and family therapy at the Gestalt International Study Centre, Massachusetts, and is accredited to use a number of psychometric and diagnostic tools including the MBTI, Leadership Development Framework, and the spiral dynamics based my_motivation.

He is a member of the European Baha’i Business Forum, and a mentor to and investor in young entrepreneurs. Married, and a father of two children, he lives between London and southern France and is a passionate musician and jazz fan.

Susan Robertson, CAE

Executive Vice President of ASAE – American Society of Association Executives

Susan Robertson is the Executive Vice President of ASAE & President of the ASAE Foundation. As part of the executive office of the organization, her responsibilities include strategic and operational planning, and the leadership of teams focused on finance, community, meetings, membership, marketing, advertising, sponsorship, fundraising, publishing, social media & website, communications and public relations, fund raising, research, and credentialing.

During the past ten years with ASAE, she has served in progressively responsible roles including overall leadership of industry and market research and of the award-winning magazine, Associations Now.

Prior to joining ASAE, Ms. Robertson was the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for U.S. Office Products, a multibillion dollar business products company, owning brands such as Mail Boxes, Etc. and Blue Star Group. During her earlier career as a marketing and program development professional, she held positions with Ethan Allen, Inc. in its Danbury, CT headquarters, Washington-based National Office Products Association, and the National Dealer Alliance, where she was Executive Director.

Brent Springael

Head of Tax, Bird & Bird

Brent’s excellent tax knowledge and experience complement our key sector focus.

Brent is the head of the Tax Group in the Brussels office. His practice covers the full range of business-related tax matters, domestically and internationally.

Being part of the International VAT Group within Bird & Bird, Brent advises extensively on many VAT related issues non-profit and trade associations come across, but also direct tax questions are dealt with. He also assists non-profit associations in their dealings with the tax authorities (tax audits, rulings, etc.).

As an associate member of the Federation of European and International Associations in Belgium (FAIB), he regularly chairs forum discussions within FAIB on recurring tax issues with which Belgian or Brussels based trade associations are faced.

Winner of the Client Choice Awards - International 2013 – Corporate Tax - International Law Office

“Recommended for being ‘both client and solution orientated’”. - The Legal 500 2010

Catherine Roberts

Director of Governance, WAGGGS – World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

As Director of Governance at WAGGGS since 2012, Catherine has driven a comprehensive review of the global organization to consolidate its governance function including delivery of a key mandate for incorporation of the charity. She has promoted transparency and ethical awareness in the fund development policy framework.

In addition to her expertise in non-profit governance, Catherine’s background is in the field of linguistics. She oversees all translation services at WAGGGS and has developed a keen awareness of international issues and diversity in the field of global communication.

Prior to joining WAGGGS in 2007 Catherine has ran her own translation management business for several years.

Cyril Ritchie

President of the Council of Europe Expert Council on NGO Law (since 2008)

Chair of the Board of Advisers of WFC- World Future Council (since 2008)

President of CONGO – Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (2011-2014)

President of FIIG - Federation of Semi-Official and Private International Institutions established in Geneva (since 1978)

Vice-President of UIA - Union of International Associations (since 1998)

Chair of ELCI - Environment Liaison Centre International (since 2000)

Titular of the World Order of the Smile (since 1979)

President of ICSFD - International Civil Society Forum for Democracy (2006)

Chair of WOCSOC - World Conference on Civil Society (1999)

Executive Director of ICVA - International Council of Voluntary Agencies (1964-1978 and 1990-1991)

Ann Brookes

Fund Development Director, WAGGGS – World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

Ann Brookes is the Director of Fund Development for WAGGGS and has held senior level positions with many charities both in the UK and Canada.

Prior to becoming the Director of Fund Development at WAGGGS, Ann was Director of Fundraising and External Affairs for The Frank Buttle Trust and Director of Development for The English National Opera.

Ann has been involved in the fundraising field for over 20 years and has spoken at numerous Fundraising and Sponsorship Conferences around the World.

The UIA Round Table aims to promote and facilitate the work of international associations by providing learning and networking opportunities. We thank our partners for making it possible.

Platinum Partners

Gold Partner

Silver Partners

Bronze Partners