Association Law Handbook: A Practical Guide for Associations, Societies, and Charities. 4th Edition.

The body of laws, regulations, and decisions that governs trade associations, professional societies, and philanthropic and other nonprofit corporations continually grows and changes. As a result, these self-governing membership organizations can have difficulty determining whether their activities are in fact legal.

To help executives who manage these organizations gain a broad overview of the laws, regulations, and decisions that govern these organizations activities and thus identify potential threats, this ambitious book presents a summary treatment of all the legal governance, operations, antitrust, and taxation subjects that can be expected to arise in typical trade, professional, philanthropic, or similar associations. Many subjects presented in this book have not been covered in the extensive literature for nonprofit and association law. Even for those subjects that have been treated extensively elsewhere, this unique book explains the topics in plain English and in an outline format. Furthermore, to assist attorneys, accountants, and others who advise these organizations, each subject includes an extensive list of references for further research and understanding.

Finally, this book also provides a documents supplement with 25 sample documents covering governance and transaction topics. These include articles of incorporation and bylaws, guidelines, policies, codes of ethics, employment agreements, nondisclosure agreements, author agreements, and more.

Jerald A. Jacobs is an attorney in Washington, DC, who focuses on counseling and advocacy for business, professional, social welfare, philanthropic, and other nonprofit organizations. He serves as general counsel to the ASAE and its interdependent education and research affiliate, The Center for Association Leadership. He has taught nonprofit organization law at graduate law and business schools, was recognized by the American Bar Association for his work in the nonprofit field, and he has advised governments in Europe and China on their laws for nongovernmental organizations.

ASAE is a membership organization of more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing more than 11,000 organizations. ASAE members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. ASAE is the preeminent source of knowledge, learning, community, and advocacy for the field of association management. ASAE s publishing imprint, Association Management Press, reflects the ASAE mission by publishing relevant, reliable content focusing on helping professionals tackle their organizational leadership and management challenges.