Consulting & Advisory

Not Ready for Full Management? Let’s Build the Plan.

Some associations have the staff and volunteers to run day to day, but need an experienced partner to set the direction. Kelly Dando Consulting offers project-based consulting for growing associations: we build the strategy, roadmap, and playbook, and your team executes with confidence.

Book a Consulting Call See Full Management

You do not always need to hand off the whole operation. Sometimes you just need to know you are building the right thing, in the right order, with a plan your board will support and your staff can actually run.

That is what consulting is for. We bring the experience of managing 70+ associations to your specific challenge, hand you a clear plan, and stay available while your team puts it to work.

Who it's for

Is consulting right for you?

  • Associations with capable staff who need strategic direction
  • Boards planning a major initiative, event, or membership push
  • Chapters preparing for growth but not ready to outsource operations
  • Organizations that want a second, expert opinion before they commit

What we advise on

Consulting built around your goal

Engage us on a single challenge or a full growth plan. You choose the scope; we bring the expertise.

Strategic Planning

Facilitated planning that turns board ambitions into a documented, prioritized roadmap your team can follow, with goals, owners, and timelines.

Membership Growth Strategy

A data-informed plan to recruit, onboard, and retain members, built around your association's specific audience and stage of growth.

Event & Conference Planning

Concept, budget, and run-of-show guidance for a new or growing event, so your staff can execute a professional experience without starting from scratch.

Marketing & Communications Roadmap

A channel-by-channel plan for how your association shows up: newsletters, campaigns, and content your team can produce in-house.

Technology & Systems Assessment

An expert review of your AMS, database, and tools with clear recommendations on what to keep, fix, or replace, and how.

Board & Governance Guidance

Practical advice on structure, officer transitions, committees, and the governance practices that keep growing boards effective.

How it works

A plan in hand, not a handoff

Discovery

We learn your goals, constraints, and what your team can realistically take on. No assumptions.

The plan

You receive a clear, documented strategy and roadmap, built for your staff to execute, with priorities and timelines.

Support as needed

We stay available for check-ins, questions, and course corrections while your team runs the plan.

Common questions

Consulting, answered

How is consulting different from full association management?
With full management, our team runs your operations day to day. With consulting, we build the strategy and plan, and your own staff and volunteers execute it. It is ideal for associations that have the people but want expert direction.
Can we start with consulting and move to full management later?
Absolutely. Many associations begin with a consulting project to address a specific need, then expand into full management as they grow. There is no pressure to commit to more than you need today.
How are consulting engagements priced?
Consulting is project-based and scoped to your goal, so pricing depends on the size and complexity of the work. A short discovery call is the fastest way to get a clear quote.
What kinds of projects do you take on?
Common projects include strategic plans, membership growth strategies, event planning, marketing roadmaps, technology assessments, and board or governance guidance. If your association is facing a specific challenge, we can likely help.
Do you work with associations outside the construction industry?
Yes. While we have deep expertise with CFMA and construction-industry chapters, we consult with trade and professional associations of all kinds across the United States.

Have a plan to build?

Tell us what your association is working toward. We'll help you build a roadmap your team can run with.

Book a Consulting Call