Many associations begin with a strong sense of purpose, informal structures, and the dedication of passionate individuals. But as activities grow, so do the expectations from members, partners, and funders alike. What once worked can become unclear, inefficient, and unsustainable. Moving towards a more professional, structured approach is essential but doing so without losing the spirit that made the organization special is not always easy.
Join Tanja Munro, Executive Director of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), who shares a candid account of their transformation journey. She will explore what happens when an academic association with a brilliant mission and passionate people needs to grow up without selling out. She will take us on a candid, behind-the-scenes tour of what it took to modernise a legacy organisation rooted in collegiality, tradition, and volunteerism. We will explore the practical and political realities of transforming culture, structure, and systems. From clarifying roles and modernising governance to rebuilding internal trust and professionalising services, this seminar will reflect on how one association moved from informal roots to a confident, future-facing organisation without losing what made it special.
Key topics covered:
- Legacy context: informal systems, overlapping responsibilities, and deeply held values
- Strategic need for change: growing complexity, external expectations, and organisational risk
- What was done: building a professional services team, project planning and accountability
- Cultural shifts: building trust, overcoming resistance, preserving academic ethos
- What improved: clarity, morale, service delivery, responsiveness
- Lessons learned: ongoing professionalisation, the value of persistence and diplomacy
You will leave this seminar with takeaways on:
- A realistic model for change in mission-led environments
- How to build credibility and navigate internal politics during transformation
- Strategies for professionalising without becoming overly corporate
Agenda
12:00 - Introduction
12:05 - Presentation
12:35 - Questions & Answers
12:55 - Close
Speaker
