CAE case studies
CAE · Put your knowledge to work in context.
This is explicitly ASAE-focused Certified Association Executive practice for association management, using a U.S. context where legal or tax issues arise. The catalog entry says only CAE; although its subject categories clearly concern association executives, they do not uniquely identify an issuer. This draft therefore preserves that ambiguity and does not claim to match the separate Canadian CSAE program. Topics on this exam: Governance, Executive leadership, Organizational strategy, Operations, Business development, Member and stakeholder engagement, Advocacy and public policy, and Marketing and communications. The CAE case studies are 4 cases and about 760 words.
1A director’s vendor proposal tests delegation
A board member asks the chief executive to sign a technology contract with a company owned by the member’s business partner. The director says the product will improve service and that the board will probably approve later. The association’s current policy requires an identified evaluation process for this size of commitment, and the chief executive’s delegated authority does not cover the proposed term. Several staff members have concerns about data export and exit provisions.
186 words, under 1 min2A successful event may hide a concentrated business model
An association’s annual conference produces most of its unrestricted contribution. Attendance has been strong, but the organization has little experience delivering programs without the event venue. A new proposal would expand fixed commitments before registration begins. Its champion points to the money already invested and argues that cancelling or reducing the expansion would waste that spending.
195 words, under 1 min3Growth conceals a first-year membership problem
An association ends the year with more members than it had at the start. Its acquisition campaign attracted substantial new interest, and the marketing team presents the ending total as proof that the membership strategy is working. A service manager notices that many first-year members do not renew, while long-tenured volunteers remain highly engaged. A recent satisfaction survey was answered mainly by conference attendees.
182 words, under 1 min4A coalition statement and an inaccurate statistic
An association belongs to a coalition working on a policy issue relevant to its members. The coalition circulates a draft public statement containing a statistic that staff cannot verify and a proposed position broader than the association’s approved agenda. Several members have different interests in the issue, and a chapter has already posted its own interpretation. The coalition asks for an immediate public endorsement because a comment deadline is approaching.
197 words, under 1 min