Supporting Volunteers, Securing the Future: The Role of Professional Management at AAHP

By Emily Leonczyk, MBA, CAE, President & CEO of The Markens Group 

For me, the start of a new year invites a welcome pause, reflections over a slow cup of coffee, and my favorite annual planning blueprint exercise. As AAHP moves into 2026, I find myself thinking about the members, volunteer leaders, and partners who carry this association forward, while juggling the very real pressures of managing business in a changing industry. While some transitions can bring uncertainty, especially during broader political and economic change, they also create an important opportunity for associations to come together, protect collective interests, and strengthen the foundation that supports the work we all care about. Our team is excited to support and strengthen your AAHP through this next transition. 

Over the years, working alongside associations like AAHP, I’ve witnessed the impact of supporting committed volunteer leaders with the right structure, expertise, and operational backbone. Associations don’t succeed because of one person or one decision. They grow and win over time because people come together, stay engaged, and invest in something bigger than themselves. 

Honoring AAHP’s 103-year legacy, your association management team at The Markens Group is here to ensure AAHP has the support it needs to remain sustainable, continue leading as the voice of the homeopathic industry, and deliver lasting value to its members in the years ahead. 

What to Expect: A Stronger, More Intentionally-Run Association 

Members can expect AAHP to continue operating with greater clarity, consistency, and long-term focus. While AAHP remains a nonprofit, it also carries the responsibilities of a business, including financial oversight, planning, and accountability to its members. 

Professional association management brings discipline to these areas so the association can remain steady and sustainable over time. That includes thoughtful budgeting, clear processes, and careful oversight of resources. The goal is not growth for its own sake, but stability that allows AAHP to meet its obligations, adapt when needed, and invest in the work that matters most to members. 

What to Expect: Thoughtful Stewardship of Membership Dollars 

Membership dues are an investment, and members deserve confidence that those dollars are being used wisely. A core part of TMG’s role is helping AAHP ensure that every dollar supports the priorities set by the Board and delivers value to the membership. 

This means evaluating where resources are best spent, identifying efficiencies where possible, and reinvesting savings into programs, education, communication, and advocacy that benefit the industry as a whole. Especially in uncertain economic times, this kind of stewardship helps ensure AAHP remains both responsible and responsive. 

What to Expect: Professional Support That Strengthens Volunteer Leadership 

AAHP is guided by volunteer leaders who bring deep industry knowledge and a strong commitment to the association’s mission. At the same time, the responsibilities of running a modern nonprofit association extend well beyond what volunteers can reasonably manage alone. 

This is where professional association management plays an important role. As an accredited Association Management Company, TMG meets nationally recognized standards for governance, financial oversight, ethics, and operational best practices specific to nonprofit associations. That accreditation is not a formality. It reflects experience, accountability, and a commitment to managing associations in a way that protects their mission and their members. 

For AAHP, this means volunteer leaders are supported by a professional team that understands nonprofit requirements and can provide continuity, structure, and day-to-day management. In turn, the Board can focus its time and energy on strategic direction, policy decisions, and advancing the interests of the industry, knowing the operational foundation is sound. 

What to Expect: Continued Investment in Education, Communication, and Engagement 

At its heart, AAHP exists to connect people, share knowledge, and advocate for the industry. Members can expect continued attention to education and communication that helps keep them informed, engaged, and connected. 

Associations play an especially important role during times of change. They create space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration that individual companies cannot replicate on their own. By strengthening these efforts, AAHP reinforces its role as a trusted resource and a place where members can both contribute and benefit. 

What to Expect: Stability Today and Preparation for the Future 

Perhaps most importantly, members can expect AAHP to move forward with a steady and thoughtful approach. With professional management in place, the association is better positioned to maintain continuity, respond to challenges, and plan responsibly for the future. 

This includes preparing for leadership transitions, ensuring strong governance practices, and building systems that support the association for years to come. Stability does not mean standing still. It means having the foundation necessary to evolve with confidence. 

Continuing the Work Together 

AAHP exists because of the people who believe in its purpose and choose to invest their time, energy, and trust in the association. It’s an honor for our team at The Markens Group to help support that work. 

We approach our role with care and respect for AAHP’s history, its members, and the responsibility of stewarding an association that matters to so many. We are here to make this a joyful and meaningful experience, and we invite you to raise your hand, advocate for AAHP, share your insights, and participate in the work. AAHP’s future is built through the time, talent, and voices of its members, and your involvement plays a vital role in shaping what comes next. 

About the Author and The Markens Group: Emily Leonczyk, MBA, CAE, is President and CEO at The Markens Group. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, TMG is an association management company that has helped foster a sense of community for more than 35 years. The firm provides outsourced professional services, including strategic leadership, financial management, event planning, member services, marketing and communications, program management, website, social media, and general administration to trade associations, membership societies, and not-for-profits. TMG has assisted AAHP since 2015.