The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Free education. If you’re a regular reader of Association Brain Food, this post from TopClass LMS will be familiar ground for you. They share sources of free education for association professionals, including niche membership organizations, events, webinars and podcasts for the association community.
Inspiration. Have you forgotten you have a job and career with purpose? Need to reignite your spark? Read this post by Peter Houstle of Mariner Management about The Power of “A”—this time, “A” refers to Association People.
Scientific society events. ExOrdo shares key findings from their interviews with 27 scholarly societies about event goals, programs and challenges. They discuss the growth of international online audiences, challenges with online networking and engagement, online content libraries and more.
AI bubble. At Locus, Cory Doctorow says, “Of course AI is a bubble.” But the question is: what kind? He describes the two kinds of tech bubbles—the ones that leave something behind and the ones that leave nothing behind—and where AI fits. His interesting perspective is one I hadn’t seen before, well worth a read.
Team questions. I love seeing questions that are meant to knock everyone off balance and look at situations in a new light. Karin Hurt and David Dye at Let’s Grow Leaders share seven assumption busters to propel your team’s strategic thinking.
Young member engagement. I know you see a lot of posts about young professionals, but this one from Belinda Moore at Strategic Membership Solutions is worth your time. She shares strategies for enhancing engagement and fostering a more inclusive environment for younger members.
Member mobile app. Bulletin describes how a member app helps you nurture member engagement by providing a centralized communication channel for your members. Unlike social media platforms, your association controls your mobile app platform—a tangible reminder of membership benefits.
Dirty data. Bill Conforti at Association Analytics shares six tips to transform your association’s dirty data in 2024. You might not have given serious thought to these doable ideas, but you definitely should take the advice of people who live and breathe data every day.
Wait, there’s more
WTF is the fediverse? (Kimeko McCoy, Digiday)
The rules have changed. Starting in 2024, Google will require bulk senders to authenticate their emails, allow for easy unsubscribes and stay under a reported spam threshold. (Neil Kumaran, Google)
All futurism is Afrofuturism: Though overlooked now, Africa will shape the 21st century due to its expanding population and current poverty. (Noah Smith)
What’s the best time to eat dinner? Your sleep and work quality/productivity depend on the right answer. (Julie Jargon, Wall Street Journal—gift link)
You never grow old at the table
Buying cheese and deli meat at Costco means finding ways to use the surplus, which is why I made Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken Breasts. I pounded the breasts so they were easier to roll around the filling. But they’re really easy to overcook, so be careful. On the side, a sauté of Brussels sprouts with bacon, mushroom and red bell pepper.
The other big dish this past week was flounder and vermilion snapper with collards in a coconut green curry sauce, served over 90-second jasmine rice. It’s originally based on this Cooking Light recipe, but I’ve been making it so long I have my own version that includes red bell pepper, garlic, collards, mint and cilantro.
If you have a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled. I’m happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Fri 1/12 at 12:30 p.m.* – Conversations with Champions
Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with topics selected by our featured guest. This month’s topic is: conducting a tech inventory: do the pieces fit? These intimate, virtual conversations are a chance to form meaningful connections with other women and allies in the association technology community. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Guest: Cecilia Sepp, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
*All events are online at Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 1/12 at 4 p.m. – Masterful Mentoring for Organizations
Within the next 5 to 10 years, more than 76 million baby boomers are scheduled to retire. Is your organization prepared for the exodus? Mentoring is one way organizations can successfully transition employees through this change. Today, organizations are challenged to not only identify the “high potentials” for specific leadership positions, but also to retain them. For this reason and many others, mentoring is rapidly becoming recognized as a highly effective worldwide human resource development process. Learn how to establish, administer, and evaluate an effective mentoring program. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Speaker: Hope Zoeller, Ed.D., who did her dissertation research project on mentoring programs
Mon 1/15 at 8 a.m. – The 5 Steps to a Successful Marketing Plan (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)
Every week Rogue Tulips brings the nonprofit community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting nonprofit organizations around the world—and we have fun doing it! Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast (to name a few!).
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Guest: Lisa Claydon, CAE
Tue 1/16 at 12 p.m. – Component Relations and Volunteer Management Crunch and Munch
Join a casual conversation on hot topics relevant to the component relations and volunteer management community. Come prepared to share your successes, challenges and ideas. More info/register (Component Relations and Volunteer Management Professionals Community).
Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council
Tue 1/16 at 12 p.m. – Revolutionizing LinkedIn Strategies: AI & Automation in Action
Learn how to post engaging, quality content on LinkedIn effortlessly using AI and automation that not only saves time but also elevates your organization’s online presence. Find out how leveraging AI can take the burden of writing content and gathering images off your shoulders, and how integration and low-code platforms like Airtable and Make.com can automate the process from approval to posting. More info/register (ASAE Marketing Professionals Community).
Host: ClearTone Consulting
Speaker: Brian Scott, founder of ClearTone Consulting
Tue 1/16 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 1)
From looking to broaden their reach to acquiring new capabilities to expand their value propositions, associations are increasingly turning to M&A (and other strategic transactions) for new ways to drive greater value and social impact in today’s increasingly competitive landscape. Hear about important M&A factors to consider such as structure, financial capabilities, partnership strategy, culture, risk profile, and history, and the nuances between the merger of two associations and other types of association mergers and strategic transactions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (Executive Management Professionals Community).
Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council
Speakers:
- Lynn Gangone, President & CEO, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
- Francisco Gomez, Founder & CEO, Factum Global
- Tori Miller Liu, President & CEO, Association for Intelligent Information Management
- Brian Weiss, Vice President, Emerging Business Growth, American Management Association
- Tommy Goodwin (moderator), Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance
Wed 1/17 at 12 p.m. – How to Run the World’s Best Board Meeting
Learn about strategies and tools to streamline association board meetings, ensuring that time is used effectively; encouraging a culture of active participation among board members, so diverse perspectives contribute to informed decision-making; and tools to improve the quality of decision-making during board meetings, emphasizing the importance of clear objectives. More info/register.
Host: Ewald Consulting
Speakers:
- Eric Hauth, Executive Director, International Concrete Repair Institute
- Tip Tucker Kendall, CAE, Executive Director, National Grants Management Association
Wed 1/17 at 12 p.m. – Antitrust: What It Means, Why It Matters
Hear about the brave new world of antitrust enforcement by the DOJ, FTC, and state attorneys general, as well as cases brought by the private plaintiffs’ bar, and how the new developments affect programs and services of nonprofit associations. Learn about expanding areas of antitrust enforcement: labor markets and information sharing and the role of industry associations; practical advice for your team and important considerations for legal teams; and recent major corporate and individual prosecutions, fines, and settlements. More info/register.
Host: Venable LLP
Speakers: Lisa Jose Fales, Partner, Antitrust; Danielle Foley, Partner, Commercial Litigation; and William Vigen, Partner, Antitrust, Venable LLP
Wed 1/17 at 1 p.m. – Price Elasticity Uncovered: Insights from Data
How often are price increase/decrease decisions based on opinion and fear, hampering an association’s ability to extract maximum value from our products because we’re afraid of customer attrition? Using data science, we can model the future state and help make a more informed decision. Hear how the speaker’s team developed a price elasticity forecast, share your own data modeling stories and learn from in-the-trenches experiences of your peers. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speaker: Denali Carpenter, Data Scientist, Inteleos
Wed 1/17 at 1 p.m. – Cheap Mobile Community Platforms and Business Process Automation for Small Associations
See real-life examples of small associations automating their processes and freeing up their staff to service their members and focus on more valuable and creative tasks. Learn how to automate time consuming manual tasks across a variety of systems (AMS, LMS, CMS, CRM, Email, Community, O365, etc.) with Zapier. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Michael Getter, CSM, CSPO, ITIL v4, CEO and IT Ecosystems Architect, 501evolved
Wed 1/17 at 2 p.m. – PAR GOAT Awards: Advancing Association Business
Join association revenue producers from across the globe as we celebrate 12 months of great conversation, learning, and subject matter leadership. PAR presenters will reflect on their year and share ideas for revenue performance in 2024 and beyond. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Professionals for Association Revenue
Speakers:
- Michelle Brien, VP, Marketing, Matchbox Virtual Media
- Jeff Cobb, Managing Director, Tagoras
- Carrie Hartin, President, Sales Solutions & Services, MCI USA
- Park Howell, Founder, Business of Story
- Dana Johnston, Director, Corporate Strategic Partnerships, American Gastroenterological Association
- Carrie McIntyre, Principal, Navigate
Thu 1/18 at 11 a.m. – Maximizing the Power of Google Analytics 4: A Marketer’s Guide
With the launch of Google Analytics 4, marketers now have more powerful and detailed data tracking and measurement capabilities to better understand their audiences, campaigns, and conversions. Understand the key differences between Google Analytics 4 and the previous version, and how they impact your data tracking and measurement strategies. Learn how to navigate the new reporting dashboard and its various features to gain deeper insights into your marketing performance. Master advanced techniques for setting up and optimizing your data tracking in Google Analytics 4 to track conversions and attribution more effectively. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Frank Rosenstern, VP of Client Services; Jon Smith, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships; and Tim Tsafaridis, VP of Client Services, Multiview
Thu 1/18 at 11 a.m. – ICCA/Destination Canada Sustainability Report Webinar
In collaboration with Destination Canada, ICCA launched an industry-spanning survey regarding sustainability in June 2023, which concluded in September 2023. Discover the valuable insights, trends and best practices that will help our industry drive a more sustainable future, and bring positive change to the communities and businesses we work with. More info/register.
Hosts: Destination Canada and ICCA
Thu 1/18 at 11:30 a.m. – Cybersecurity & More (Tapas Talks)
Explore the evolution of cybercrime—from its industrialization to the growing need for cyber expertise in organizations. Uncover the impact of BEC (Business Email Compromise) and the looming threats posed by AI. Hear about insurance and financial protections against cyber threats. Don’t miss this opportunity to fortify your cyber defense. Tapas Talks are always conversational and lively, a mixture of planned content and virtual f2f discussions with subject matter experts, plus the serendipity of talking through challenges with your peers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Qiqo’s Association Marketplace
Speakers:
- Brian Haney, Founder & CEO of The Haney Company.
- Brian Scott, President & CIO of ClearTone Consulting and 501CISO
Thu 1/18 at 12 p.m. – Own Your Data, Own Your Future: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Association’s Data and be 100% Ready for AI
With countless proprietary systems, it’s no wonder association data becomes siloed. Looking to break free of vendor dependencies and truly own your data for on-demand use? Data lays the foundation for innovation, but what good is data that you can’t access? Learn why you don’t truly own your data today, why owning your data is critical in the age of AI and how it can be a game-changer for your association. Explore how a robust data strategy directly impacts your association’s ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Learn how to build the foundation for successful AI applications. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Speaker: Amith Nagarajan, Chairman of Blue Cypress
Thu 1/18 at 12 p.m. – AI Questions, Myths, and Mysteries
Enjoy nerdy humor mixed with practical tips, as the enigmatic world of AI becomes a tad less intimidating and a lot more intriguing. Learn about the ways AI can help you save time, related data privacy issues, the newest AI tools, and how to stay on top of new AI technology and opportunities. More info/register.
Host: GrowthZone
Speaker: Beth Ziesenis, Your Nerdy Best Friend
Thu 1/18 at 12 p.m. – Making Associations a Sector of Choice for Hispanics and Latinos
In today’s competitive landscape, standing out requires building a diverse and inclusive team. By recruiting and retaining Latino and Hispanic employees, associations will build a workforce that is better equipped to achieve success. Learn more about recruitment, retention, and leadership development to attract Hispanics/Latinos to expand your talent pool. Hear guidance and recommendations for mentoring, sponsoring, and coaching to foster increased Hispanic/Latino leadership in associations. CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Xchange
Speakers:
- Norma Castrejon, CAE, Senior Consultant, Technology Consulting, DelCor Technology Solutions
- Celia Chomón Zamora, PhD, CAE, Director, Professional Learning and Certification, ACTFL
- Danielle Duran Baron, FASAE, CAE, Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
Thu 1/18 at 1 p.m. – Adding Value to Skills-Based Credentials with Digital Standards
Offering your credentials with trusted, verifiable, and interoperable digital credentials increases the value and usability of your credentials through open standards. Learn how Open Badges and the Comprehensive Learner Record Standard™ (CLR Standard™) can enhance learner and employment records, and provide a comprehensive view of learners’ achievements. Hear how these standards empower learners to take control of their credentials, the new opportunities they can unlock for your organization and employers, and why it’s important to integrate them into your digital ecosystem. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Tagoras
Speakers:
- Rob Coyle, Technical Program Manager, 1EdTech
- Darin R. Hobbs, VP of Learning & Employment Records, Western Governors University
- Kelly Hoyland, Director of Higher Education Programs, 1EdTech
- Kymberly Lavigne-Hinkley, Director, Community of Care Ecosystem, Western Governors University
- Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele (facilitators), founders, Tagoras
Thu 1/18 at 3 p.m. – Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration
Learn about the difference between personal, organizational and professional ethics, and the core values and principles identified by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration. Hear about a process for ethical decision-making that can be applied in any situation, and practice this using real-life scenarios related to volunteers. Learn strategies for increasing awareness of ethics within an organization and helping both volunteers and staff become more effective at handling ethical dilemmas. More info/register.
Host: Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability
Thu 1/18 at 4 p.m. – Unleashing the Dynamic Potential of Professional Development in Membership Associations
Learn about the key factors for influencing and delivering unparalleled value to members, shaping educational strategies, leveraging AI for enhanced learning experiences, elevating the impact of education and professional development to members, and why some association leaders may not fully grasp the value of the professional development or education department. More info/register.
Host: Reston-Loudon Idea Swap for Associations
Speakers:
- Clayonia Colbert-Dorsey
- Enid-Mai Jones, MA, MSEd, CVEP, CDE, CAE
Fri 1/19 at 1 p.m. – The Power of Federated Search: Supercharge Member Engagement
Many organizations are not feeling confident in their approach to distributing content and, as a result, are finding it increasingly more difficult to capture the attention of their members and create engagement online. Learn how associations like yours are aggregating their valuable content—whether it’s from your LMS, online community, publications, or any other outside data source—and distributing it in a curated way from a federated index. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Blue Sky eLearn
Speakers: Johnny Clayton, Co-Founder, and Adam Hostetter, CEO, FUSE Search
Fri 1/19 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza
An informal online networking event for the ASAE consultant community. More info/register (Consultant Members Community).
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Fri 1/19 at 4 p.m. – Networking Session: How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor/Your Personal BOD
In this open networking session, participants will discuss how they have been successful in finding a mentor or mentors, how they have maintained their mentor relationships long-term, and how they may have changed mentors or added new mentors over time. We will also discuss the advantages of having a personal “board of directors” as a sounding board for professional career advice and how to create your own. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Facilitator: Shelly Trent, CAE, Fridays@4 President
Tue 1/23 at 11 a.m. – The United States of Associations
The United States of Associations seeks to assemble association professionals from across the country for a fast-paced exchange of ideas. Representatives from as many as all 50 states (and possibly US territories and other countries as well) will get up to 1 minute each to highlight a trend, resource, book, webinar series, podcast, or new product or conference. The focus will range from online communities to ways to recognize members and from creating engaging events to effective advocacy efforts. Join us and be prepared to take lots of notes and leave with new connections and fresh ideas. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed., Chief Communications Officer/Owner, CQbd
Tue 1/23 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 2: Landing the Plane: From Pursuing M&A to Closing the Deal)
Once you and your association being exploring M&A options, things get complicated very quickly. Who needs to be in the room? What is the right role for outside advisors and legal counsel? How can you best involve your board? Walk through the M&A process and explore key considerations from kickoff through closing a transaction. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (Executive Management Professionals Community).
Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council
Speakers:
- Dianna Steinbach, Chief Operations Officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
- Jeff Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group
- Jay Younger, FASAE, President & CEO, McKinley Advisors
- Oyango Snell, CAE (moderator)
Tue 1/23 at 1 p.m. – Building Your 2024 Video Strategy: A Guide for Associations
To acquire and retain your membership and drive non-dues revenue, you need to include member-driven video in your strategy. Hear about video best practices and real-world examples from associations who are already putting these ideas into action. Learn how to assess your organization’s current campaigns to identify areas of opportunity to include more diverse voices and perspectives; and design an actionable strategic plan for creating and distributing member-driven video content. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices
Wed 1/24 at 9 a.m. – PAR Member Meet-Up: Make Networking an Art, Not an Accident
Unlock the secrets of effective networking and transform it into an art form, not just a random encounter. Gain practical insights into making authentic and mutually beneficial connections. Learn the tools to seamlessly integrate networking into your daily routine to enhance your professional relationships and opportunities. More info/register (PAR members only).
Host: Professionals for Association Revenue
Speaker: Vern Schellenger, President and CEO of Contacts Count
Wed 1/24 at 1 p.m. – The End of Expertise and How Associations Must Adapt
Associations have long been trusted organizations for knowledge, research, and yes, political advocacy. Learn how industries are being disrupted by the public’s lack of trust in our institutions, how associations are being affected by these same trends, how associations are modifying their services to maintain their credibility and retain members’ trust, and what organizations are doing to keep their organizations safe spaces for facts, open discussion, and expertise. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director, The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
- Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International
- Tara Puckey, Executive Director, The Radio Television Digital News Association
Thu 1/25 at 11 a.m. – The New Rules of Engagement
Hear from planners who have successfully adapted their tried-and-true programs and session formats to get (and keep) their audiences excited and engaged. Learn how to fuel anticipation (and early registrations) with pre-event promo that makes your speakers and sessions sizzle, develop a value-packed event program and amplify the impact of your onsite experiences, create networking experiences and moments that resonate with a younger audience, build upon your success instead of starting from scratch for every new event, and use event tech hacks so you can do more with the tools you already use. More info/register.
Host: EventMobi
Speakers:
- Karen Hill, Director, Meetings and Events & Engagement, Barcami Lane, Inc.
- Kelly Legris, Owner, KEL Consulting Services and Events Services Consultant
- Amenah Rizwan, Founder & Operations Director, Picnics Toronto
- Thorben Grosser,VP of Product Marketing, EventMobi
Thu 1/25 at 12 p.m. – How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Future for Associations
This educational leadership seminar is designed exclusively for the C-Suite and Director-level executives, seeking to understand the importance of new, emerging technologies and how to effectively weave them into their digital transformation strategy for their association. Learn about the transformative power of AI and automation, how to navigate the tech evolution and position your association for unparalleled success, and key strategies to consider when adjusting your digital roadmap. More info/register.
Host: iMIS by ASI
Speakers:
- Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic
- Tim Clarke, Chief Revenue Officer, ASI
- Troy Stenback, Director of Client Performance Improvement & Client Success, ASI
Thu 1/25 at 12:30 p.m. – AI Unleashed: Real-World Solutions and Results in Today’s Associations
Learn how contemporary associations are harnessing the power of AI to drive unprecedented change and efficiency. Hear a comprehensive overview of AI, its evolving role in associations, fundamental concepts and the latest trends. Learn how associations of various sizes and sectors have effectively implemented AI solutions, from membership engagement, personalized communication, to data-driven decision-making. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: .orgCommunity
Speakers:
- Laura Lewis, Director, Technology Development, Society of Critical Care Medicine
- Luke Vidacovich, Director or Digital Strategy & IT, American Animal Hospital Association
- Brian Willard, CAE, MBA, Director of Information Technology, CCIM Institute
- Sherry Budziak (moderator), CEO, .orgSource & Co-Founder, .orgCommunity
Thu 1/25 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab: Engage Your New Members
Join us for a new series of three interactive virtual events, all focused on member engagement. New member engagement might be the most crucial stage because this is our opportunity to set members up for a successful member journey. In this session, we will explore tried and true strategies and tactics from the New Member Engagement Study AND play with some exciting new ideas so you can easily onboard. More info/register.
Hosts: Impexium and Billhighway
Facilitator: Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community
Fri 1/26 at 12:30 p.m. – Ask Me Anything: Data Analytics
What is data analytics? How can I make the most of the data I have? How can I help my organization be more data driven? Bring all your questions and join the AMA. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speaker: Vinnu Deshetty, CEO/Founder, EVA | Event Tech Hub
Fri 1/26 at 1 p.m. – Elevating New Member Engagement
How well are your new members joining and engaging in your community? Learn about the neuroscience behind impactful first impressions, ways to welcome new members and foster a sense of safety and belonging, and designing a culture that elevates new member engagement in your community. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Forj
Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community
Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If your organization offers free professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Ainārs Cekuls via Unsplash
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