Overview
The ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group (FWAG) is a working group of the ASAE Research Foundation. Advisory group members serve a one-year term, renewable for up to three years—or longer if ascending to an advisory group leadership role). FWAG leaders (chair, vice chair, immediate past chair) and/or staff provide periodic updates to the Research Committee and other stakeholder groups in the Foundation and ASAE, such as committees and councils.
Advisory Group Charge The ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group (FWAG) supports the ASAE Research Foundation’s future-focused initiative – ASAE ForesightWorks – by providing guidance for futures research, strategic initiatives, education, tools, and resources to advance the discipline of foresight within the association community. The advisory group supports the ASAE Research Foundation in reaching its strategic goals and ensuring the information disseminated is timely, accurate, useful, and actionable to meet the needs of associations professionals and the association community. The advisory group identifies critical needs, issues, trends, and other content that will help associations apply and embrace foresight.
Advisory Group Vision Associations will embrace foresight as a discipline and cultural element, using futures research and foresight practices to inform association management, anticipate member needs, and help lead important social and global change.
Advisory Group Objectives FWAG advises ASAE Research Foundation staff to achieve ASAE ForesightWorks’ strategic objectives:
Analyze drivers of change and their implications for associations and their members.
Champion the practice of foresight through outreach and education within ASAE and throughout the association community.
Identify challenges in practicing foresight and amplify lessons learned and successes in defining and applying effective practice.
Establish foresight as an association management competency and board competency.
Advisory Group Member Responsibilities
In their applications for advisory group membership, candidates are asked to affirm their commitment to fulfilling these responsibilities:
Participate in the virtual orientation meeting, July 31, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET.
Participate in four 60-to-90-minute virtual meetings during the annual term.
Serve on at least one advisory group task force addressing a current strategic goal. This work will be conducted through virtual meetings, email exchanges, and various assignments.
Stay informed about current ASAE ForesightWorks action briefs, resources, and activities.
Act as an ambassador for the goals and work of ASAE ForesightWorks in any appropriate forums.
Position Description
Volunteers report to the volunteer group chair regarding day-to-day activities. Volunteers must actively participate in the work of the group, provide thoughtful input to deliberations, focus on the best interests of ASAE, ASAE Research Foundation, its donors, and the membership rather than personal or constituent interests, and work toward the accomplishment of the goals as outlined by the volunteer group’s plan of work for the volunteer year as well as those described in ASAE's strategic plan.
Eligibility Requirements
At least 2 years of industry experience; no research experience necessary to apply.
Volunteers Needed
Three (3) open slots
Experience Required
Two (2) years of industry experience
Applications
Applicants should clearly define, in their application, how they can best serve on this group as outlined in the above description.
Selection Process
Not all applicants will be accepted for this committee. The selection committee is comprised of the incoming volunteer chair, the outgoing volunteer chair, the immediate past chair, and the ASAE staff liaison.
Disclaimer:
• New volunteers are required to attend the volunteer group’s kickoff meeting in order to serve.
• ASAE does not reimburse volunteers for travel expenses.
• Members can only serve 1 (one) volunteer group (council or committee) at a time.
In principle and in practice, ASAE values and seeks diversity and inclusive practices within the association management industry.
Andrea Wieters, MPP