Foreword by Susan Sarfati
from Building Beehives: Creating Communities that Generate Returns
The Center for Association Leadership is the primary learning and knowledge source for the association community. We are responsible for educational programs and events, future-focused research, knowledge resources, the building of learning communities and identifying and showcasing new ideas and thought-leaders relevant to association management and leadership.
We initiated our Center Visionary Program to recognize bold thinkers who were successfully implementing powerful, new ideas. We look for individuals who are at the forefront of change and will significantly impact the association community and society at large. In our first year we considered 24 exceptional nominees including business leaders, academics, writers and artists. We identified emerging thought leaders who we believe will have significant long-term influence on the thinking of the business and non-profit communities. In 2001, our inaugural year, we selected Seth Kahan to serve as one of our first Center Visionaries.
Without question Seth's work in organizational community, social capital, knowledge management and storytelling made him a stand out. Seth is a business revolutionary, stretching the limits of traditional thinking. His innovations have been successful in world-class organizations, such as the World Bank. There he successfully pioneered community-building in a multi-cultural, global environment.
Seth works closely with our staff, collaborates on the development of products and services, and writes extensively for our magazine. He can be counted on to develop unorthodox business solutions that demonstrate a deep concern for humanity. I often invite Seth to speak at meetings. He enlivens the room with his inspirational style, entertaining presentations and thought-provoking content.
I am pleased to introduce Building Beehives, A Handbook for Creating Communities that Generate Returns . It will help leaders in the association industry benefit from the strategic advantage of organizational community-building. Seth has successfully identified this emerging trend. He provides the information and techniques you need to put it to use, bringing new life, enthusiasm and value into your workplace. This handbook will help you harvest the sweet rewards that vibrant communities deliver.
Susan Sarfati
President & CEO
The Center for Association Leadership
Executive Vice President
American Society of Association Executives