Cara Smith Email & Phone Number

Australia

Lucas Heights, Nsw, Australia

Sacramento, California Area

Sacramento, California Area

Directed membership, legislative, and regulatory activities for a statewide association representing tax preparers.• Directed all membership-related activities including: development of member communications through a bi-monthly magazine, monthly newsletter, new alerts, website, social media and email; developing promotion, retention and recruitment efforts; overseeing new member and renewal processing; development of volunteer programs and recognition; establishing new member benefit programs; analyzing financial trends and constructing annual budget; working with the society’s Membership & Chapter Development Committee, national affiliate and local chapters to service and strengthen membership.• Managed legislative and regulatory activities including: representing the interests of members within the state legislature; developing and maintaining relationships with state regulatory agencies, and representing members before them; administering the society’s Political Action Committee; and orchestrating a highly effective annual legislative action day.• Implemented governance activities including: ensuring activity alignment with the strategic plan and committee goals and objectives; preparing agenda and support materials; administering governance documents including bylaws, policies and procedures; providing support for Board of Director and committee meetings. • Managed staff responsible for publications, general office administration, membership, and governance support. Fostered collaboration and the exchange of ideas among staff and volunteers. Managed the scholarship program and supporting fundraising activities.

Direct the sourcing, developing and production of the educational content of PCBC, a 3 day multiple conference, trade show event attracting an average of 20,000 attendees.Collaborate with Program Committee, staff and outside organizations/individuals to develop educational content for PCBC conferences and events Develop conference marketing strategy and materials in cooperation with the Marketing DepartmentActively cultivate and maintain relationships with key industry figures Staff all onsite conference events and oversee all aspects of productionManage the Call for Presentations process Establish annual budgets for the conference department, with accountability for year-end resultsCreate a comprehensive framework of training resources for speakers

Direct all educational, business development and administrative activities of a state trade association, representing 40 health plans.Direct all aspects of Member Services and Education including:Three-day Annual Conference and Trade ShowSeven Technical Seminars per yearVarious fundraising eventsMembership outreach, retention and recruitingManage all Association administrative functions including:Human Resources (recruiting, interviewing, payroll, benefits, performance reviews)Finance (investment supervision, budget construction and management, annual audit)Association Management (contracts, leases, insurance, reporting compliance)

Develop, implement and coordinate all facets of multiple educational, fundraising and special events. Create and coordinate Association communications including collateral, website and annual report.Structure, organize and coordinate annual conference and seven technical seminars per year. Responsibilities include: Develop and coordinate educational program contentConstruct and manage budgetsSelect venue, catering and amenitiesNegotiate, review and sign all event contractsOversee event marketing, public relations and media outreachCoordinate extensive speaker requirementsDevelop and manage Political Action Committee fundraising and special eventsDevelop and implement Association website content and designCoordinate, edit and oversee the design and production of Annual Report

Worked in various departments with responsibilities that included:Plan and execute graduation ceremonies, awards and recognition days, and other special events. Coordinate publications including the Annual Course Guide and Annual ReportPlan and execute graduation ceremonies including program construction, venue and vendor negotiationsAdminister, organize and publicize ceremonial, award and recognition daysCoordinate special protocol and academic dress requirementsSpeech writer for special events and award and recognition ceremoniesProject manager and editor of 500-page annual University Course Guide and the Annual ReportService committees including the construction of agenda and minutesAdminister Masters and Doctoral Thesis program.