By Elana Brewer, MS, CCLS; Sarah Patterson, MSc, CCLS; and Victoria Isaacson, CCLS
As we begin a new phase of our association, we — the Association of Child Life Professionals Board of Directors President Trio (immediate past president, president, and president-elect) — want to use this platform to share the journey that led to ACLP and CCLC’s new relationship with Smithbucklin. We understand you may have questions about this transition: why we decided to switch to a new staffing solution, how we carefully navigated the process, and what this change means for our community's future. Our aim is to provide clarity, openness, and confidence as we move forward together.
What Is an Association Management Company?
If you're unfamiliar with what an association management company (AMC) is, you’re not alone. It wasn't until this past May 2025 that we, as a trio and board, first learned about the role AMCs play in supporting associations. In short, an AMC is a professional firm that provides management and administrative services to associations and nonprofits. Services typically offered by AMCs include membership management, event and conference planning, financial management and accounting, marketing and communications, strategic planning, and volunteer management.
Why Make the Shift?
In June 2025, the President Trio focused on gathering information about what an AMC could offer both the Association of Child Life Professionals and the Child Life Certification Commission. Our aim was to carefully evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of working with an AMC versus maintaining a stand-alone staffing structure. From this exploration, several key insights emerged. The flexibility of AMCs enable associations to scale services and staff resources up or down as their needs change. Additionally, they are more cost-effective by reducing overhead costs and leveraging collective buying power to negotiate better deals with vendors such as hotels, audio/visual providers, and technology partners. AMCs provide a deeper bench of professionals, which improves operational efficiency and boosts organizational capacity in ways that a stand-alone staffing model cannot.
Our exploration confirmed that partnering with an AMC will be a strategic way to boost adaptability, enhance financial management, and receive professional support, helping our association better serve members and advance our mission.
What Steps Led to the Decision?
We quickly recognized the advantages of moving to an AMC, while considering how this decision would profoundly impact our current staff. As fiduciaries of the ACLP, we handled this process with care, transparency, and thoroughness.
We initiated a formal request for proposal (RFP) process. Three highly recommended firms submitted proposals, each offering unique strengths and capabilities. The ACLP President Trio and CLCC leadership held multiple meetings with each firm, including a trip to Washington, D.C., where we met two firms in person.
As part of our evaluation, the Executive Committee used a scoring matrix to individually review and score each proposal. Ultimately, the ACLP Board of Directors selected Smithbucklin as our future management partner. The commissioners of the CLCC voted separately and also approved the transition.
How Is the Relationship Between ACLP and CLCC Affected?
As a reminder, in 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially recognized CLCC as a 501(c)(6) organization under the parent group ACLP, a 501(c)(3). According to IRS rules, certification dues are treated as Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) when collected by a 501(c)(3), which can lead to significant annual tax penalties. In contrast, these dues are exempt from such penalties when managed under a 501(c)(6).
Following the advice of ACLP’s accountant and audit firm, this change was made to reduce tax liability. The new structure ensures that CLCC operates with its own governing board, bylaws, policies, and budget, allowing certification activities to continue without income tax burdens. Importantly, CLCC’s primary purpose remains the preservation and integrity of the Certified Child Life Specialist credential. Meanwhile, the ACLP continues to be dedicated to advancing the profession by raising awareness, fostering community and learning, and serving as a source for research and resources.
What Does the Future Hold?
As leaders of this association, we are both hopeful and excited about the future of the ACLP. We are confident that the team at Smithbucklin has the expertise, insights, dedication, and long-standing experience needed to guide us forward as a thriving membership organization.
We have already had the pleasure of meeting many team members and look forward to what 2026 will bring. Our Trio and Board remain committed to transparency and inclusivity. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at president@childlife.org. While we may not have all the answers to the challenges our profession faces today, we are dedicated to leading an organization that promotes community and learning, serves as a resource for professionals, and manages its resources responsibly. We want to hear from you.