CAE Pop Quiz!

Once a month, BOLD Times features a CAE question. See all the questions and correct answers below. The question from the most recent issue of BOLD Times is listed first. You can read the archives of BOLD Times here, but you must be a Forum member to do so! Not a member? Join today!

QUESTION | NOVEMBER 2024

A deficiency in diversity and inclusion strategy in associations can lead to which of the following?

A. Suboptimal volunteer retention

B. Increased productivity

C. Advances in innovation

D. Low staff turnover

ANSWER

Correct answer: A. Suboptimal volunteer retention. Swiftly evolving social and professional landscapes have resulted in a stronger emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equity in associations. A deficiency in this strategy can lead to a drop in member, volunteer, and staff retention, as well as low productivity and low innovation.

This question focuses on Domain 2: Executive Leadership, Section A: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, of the CAE exam. Learn more here.

QUESTION | OCTOBER 2024

Which of the following elements is not found in the organization’s articles of incorporation?

A. Time duration of the organization

B. General board authority

C. Tax designation and provisions supporting compliance with designation

D. Board indemnification and insurance

ANSWER

Correct answer: D. Board indemnification and insurance. The articles of incorporation are the primary rules governing the organization and the bylaws are the rules the organization establishes for self-regulation. Board indemnification and insurance is found in the organization’s bylaws, not the articles of incorporation.

This question focuses on Domain 1: Governance of the CAE exam. Learn more here.

QUESTION | SEPTEMBER 2024

An organization’s education portfolio is undergoing a full product review. Which of the following components is most important to an effective product review?

A. Review criteria

B. Review process

C. Review timeframe

D. Review team composition

ANSWER

Correct answer: A. Review criteria. Establishing review criteria that can be applied equally to all products under review is vital for the success of the activity.

This question focuses on Domain 5: Business Development, Section A: Programs, Products, Services, and Non-Dues Revenue, of the CAE exam. Learn more here.

QUESTION | AUGUST 2024

Which of the following key marketing & communications strategies will help you predict behaviors of your members?

A. Communications audit

B. Data mining

C. Trend analysis

D. Market analysis

ANSWER

Correct answer: B. Data mining. Data mining is the process of sorting through large data sets to identify patterns and relationships. A complete data mining exercise can help the association professional predict behaviors and identify opportunities to enhance products or membership engagement.

This question focuses on Domain 8: Marketing and Communications of the CAE exam. Learn more here.

QUESTION | JULY 2024

Your organization’s call for volunteers will be announced shortly. As you prepare to recruit volunteers to the various open opportunities within the organization, it is important to remember to:

A. Personally recruit the volunteers you know are easy to work with

B. Make sure the placement of a volunteer is intentional, matching their skillset to the job to be accomplished

C. Randomly assign volunteers to be fair

D. Prioritize the volunteer assignments desired by past board members

ANSWER

Correct answer: B. Appropriately assigning volunteers has an impact on the volunteer’s long-term willingness to continue to serve the organization. Meaningful volunteer assignments are vital to retaining volunteers. Purposeful placement of a volunteer on a committee or workgroup that aligns with their strengths and skills maximizes the satisfaction with the work.

This question focuses on Domain 1: Governance, Section C: Volunteer Leadership Development, of the CAE exam. Learn more here.

QUESTION | JUNE 2024

What is the utility of evaluating the lifetime value of a member?

A. Identify the average number of years a member has with the organization

B. Calculate the number of FTEs the organization needs to employ

C. Identify the next year’s membership recruitment goals

D. Assist in setting the budget for membership recruitment and retention activities

ANSWER

Correct answer: D. The lifetime value of a member is a metric that estimates the financial impact the organization can expect from a single member over the duration of their membership. This metric helps the organization make decisions about how much they can afford to spend on acquiring new members and retaining existing members.

This question focuses on Domain 6: Member and Stakeholder Engagement and Management of the CAE exam. Learn more here.

QUESTION | MAY 2024

The provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must be incorporated as policy in associations with a minimum of how many employees?

A. 150

B. 50

C. 30

D. 15

ANSWER

Correct answer: B.

According to the US Department of Labor , the provisions of the FMLA apply to all public agencies (including local, state, and federal employers, and local education agencies [schools]), as well as private sector employers that employ 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year.

This question focuses on Domain 4: Operations of the CAE exam. Learn more about the CAE exam. Learn more here.

QUESTION | APRIL 2024

The board chair of a 501(c)(3) organization has asked the chief staff executive (CSE) to establish a political action committee. The CSE’s first step should be to:

A. establish goals for the political action committee

B. consult legal counsel

C. explain that the political action committee is illegal

D. conduct a feasibility assessment

ANSWER

Correct answer: C.

While many associations conduct lobbying efforts to advocate for their industry, organizations that hold 501(c)(3) status may not conduct substantial activities that attempt to influence legislation. It’s not illegal for a 501(c)3 to do some lobbying; influencing legislation just can’t be a substantial part of the organization’s business. A political action committee’s entire purpose is to raise money to influence elections or legislation. Therefore, developing such a committee is illegal for a 501(c)(3).