The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Gen Z membership. MemberSuite explores why new membership communities are so popular with Gen Z. They describe what associations need to offer to compete with these new membership groups.
Employee retention. Professional development is a highly valued employee benefit, according to dozens of research reports, especially by early-career professionals. WBT Systems provides strategies for offering professional development as an employee retention tool.
Non-dues revenue partners. Navigate CES describes how your association can improve the customer journey for sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers. They share tactics for the six stages of that journey and for dealing with churn (boo!) and expansion (yay!).
Tool implementation. What do you do when employees are begging for new timesaving tools or want to adopt modern systems to replace under-performing ones? Achurch Consulting describes how to take an intentional approach to tool implementation.
Sponsorships. Bruce Rosenthal shares his findings from interviews with 100 corporate sponsors and Lori Zoss Kraska provides commentary on those findings. What they share might go against the assumptions you have about sponsors and sponsorships.
Conference/abstract management. Ex Ordo explains how to implement conference and abstract management software for medical, technical, scientific and academic events. Their guide covers configuring software for abstract submission and peer review, issuing the call for papers, designing the conference program and more.
Change and culture. When change is a constant, it’s easy to use it as an excuse to avoid working on your association’s culture. But Jamie Notter at Propel says, “Your culture is already having a direct impact on every other project [you] are doing, and in many cases, the culture is making it harder for [you] to achieve success in those projects.”
Good listens
If, like me, Patti Smith is one of your heroes, check out her conversation on The Active Voice, a podcast featuring Substack writers.
Quick hits
How to make your event habit-forming. (Michelle Bruno, DAHLIA+ Agency)
We’re all bored with culture. Anglo-Calvinist moralism has turned the American arts into something strenuously polite and deadly dull. (William Deresiewicz, Tablet)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.
Comfort food recommendation: braised chicken thighs with prosciutto, olives, lemon and a vermouth-infused sauce. I increased the amount of olives, prosciutto and chicken broth suggested in the recipe. On the side, mashed potatoes and green beans with caramelized red onions, mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes and chicken broth.
In the fish department, blackened mahi mahi with cheesy grits and roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder and cayenne. The next night, Mummy Lorraine triggerfish with a topping of crushed Ritz crackers, lemon zest, garlic powder and melted butter.
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 6/30 at 4 p.m.* – Culture in Chaos: Nurturing Workplace Culture During Turbulent Times
Learn about strategies and practical approaches to maintain a positive and cohesive culture, even amid chaos, and engage employees and promote collaboration. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Speaker: Rodneikka Scott, MSC, CAE
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Wed 7/5 at 12 p.m. – Financial Sustainability for Associations: 10 Simple Metrics
Find out how to assess your short and long-term financial health with ten simple KPIs your board and management can easily follow. More info/register.
Host: Zzeem
Thu 7/6 at 12 p.m. – Corporate Partner Engagement for Nonprofits: Getting Started
Corporate partnerships offer a significant source of funding and other resources, but they require careful planning, consistent communication, and a willingness to collaborate to achieve shared outcomes. Hear about the benefits of corporate partnerships, how to identify potential partners, and strategies for building and maintaining successful partnerships. Learn how to establish valuable and mutually beneficial relationships with corporate partners. More info/register.
Host: Nexus Marketing Agency
Speakers:
- Mackenzie Burckbuchler, Partnership Success Specialist at Double the Donation
- Jessica King, Business Lead at Getting Attention
- Patrick Larkin, Nonprofit & Business Consultant at CSR – Consulting. Solutions. Results.
- Bruce Rosenthal, Consultant at Bruce Rosenthal Associates
- Patrick Sampson, CEO at Cogeo
- Colleen Carroll (moderator), Content Publishing Coordinator at Nexus Marketing Agency
Thu 7/6 at 12 p.m. – The Community Check-In
A weekly community chat on Slack for black professionals working in the events industry. More info/register.
Host: Black In Events Network
Thu 7/6 at 1 p.m. – Whiplash: Communication Changes in a Post-COVID World
Like whiplash, COVID-19 changed the way we work, live, and play—on hyperdrive. Our dependence on technology increased, resulting in a need to develop communication techniques that work by Zoom. The lack of in-person meetings created a need to connect with our internal and external audiences in new ways. Learn about these post-COVID communication changes, the myths of post-pandemic communications, the next generation of videoconferencing etiquette, what’s new with social media, and how these changes open the door for you to tell your story. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Sheri Singer, Owner, Singer Communications
Thu 7/6 at 2 p.m. – Hired Guns: Using Fractional C-Suite Executives
Learn from three C-Suite fractional experts how fractional or part-time experts can help transform finance, IT, and cyber security within your organization. Hear how to harness the potential of outsourced resources to ensure maximum value for your organization; the best tasks and responsibilities to outsource to a fractional CIO, CFO or CISO; how to select an outsourced resource tailored for your association needs; and how to integrate and manage these resources seamlessly within your staff and organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: 501 Works
Speakers:
- Rick Bawcum, CEO, Cimatri
- Brian Scott, Founder, ClearTone Consulting
- Nadine Witchel, Founder & CEO, Zen Zero
Fri 7/7 at 10 a.m. – Association Products | Coffee with Innovators: Association Design Circle
Every month, an association leader leads a conversation on an association innovation topic. Our topic this month is product development. More info/register.
Host: Product Design Community
Facilitator: James Young, founder of the Product Community
Mon 7/10 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Membership Monday
Per the ASAE Collaborate web page, a poll will be sent to determine this month’s topic. No other description available. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Tue 7/11 at 11:30 a.m. – Ascend Author Talk: A Conversation with Amith Nagarajan (Washington DC)
Let’s get together to talk about AI for Associations specifically through the lens of Amith Nagarajan’s new book, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Associations? Join us for lunch to discuss concepts from the book with the author himself and connect with other AI enthusiasts. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Speaker: Amith Nagarajan, CEO, Blue Cypress
Tue 7/11 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Tech Tuesday
The description and registration link aren’t on the Collaborate Events webpage yet, but it’s usually scheduled for this day/time.
Host: ASAE
Tue 7/11 at 1 p.m. – 15 Ways To Take Your Email Newsletter To The Next Level: Marketing Artificial Intelligence in Action
Learn how to use email newsletter marketing to engage your members about current topics and industry trends. Hear about newsletter best practices to increase engagement and curate outside content. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, COO, Rasa.io
Tue 7/11 at 2 p.m. – Discover What Your Members Truly Value
Get ready for an insightful journey into the world of ‘Belonging’ with bestselling author David Allison. Hear about the core values your community cherishes, paving the way for genuine engagement and lasting connections. Join us for a fresh perspective on membership value that can transform your understanding of what it truly means to ‘Belong’. More info/register.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International
Wed 7/12 at 9 a.m. – PAR Member Meet-Up: Sales Tactics that Association Teams Use to Win
Email subject lines, purposeful outreach and unique follow-ups: join this PAR Member Meet-Up to learn and share how association revenue producers are managing customer engagement and guiding their clients to great investment choices. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register (PAR members only).
Host: Professionals for Association Revenue
Wed 7/12 at 1 p.m. – Functional Expense Reporting
Functional expense reporting is one of the more complicated areas of nonprofit U.S. GAAP. Learn about the elements of the statement of functional expense, how to make it meaningful to your audience, and the difference between program services, supporting activities, and what expenses get allocated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Mark Robins, CPA, Partner, Aprio LLP
Wed 7/12 at 5 p.m. CDT – Ascend Author Talk: A Conversation with Amith Nagarajan (Chicago IL)
Let’s get together to talk about AI for Associations specifically through the lens of Amith Nagarajan’s new book, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Associations? Join us for lunch to discuss concepts from the book with the author himself and connect with other AI enthusiasts. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Speaker: Amith Nagarajan, CEO, Blue Cypress
Thu 7/13 at 9:30 a.m. – Small Staff Percolator
A new interactive online coffee break format designed for you to discover more peers in our dispersed community, bring up a topic that’s brewing in the daily grind, and have a casual chat with others who know your lingo. More info/register.
Host: QiqoChat
Thu 7/13 at 11 a.m. – Next Generation, Networked-Based Marketing
With so many tools for email marketing, social media, CRM, graphic design and generative AI, marketing efforts are often frantic and scattered. That’s why marketing often falls prey to the classic spray and pray model. How can you begin to think holistically about taking your marketing strategies and focus on one marketplace in which to target your audience? Learn how an online, association-specific marketplace can allow you to stay relevant, target your audience, and continue to build awareness about your brand while deepening relationships over time. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Lucas Cioffi, CTO and Co-Founder, and Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat
Thu 7/13 at 12 p.m. – Get Sponsored: How to Make 6-Figures in Digital Sponsorship for Your Association
Learn how to capitalize on the huge opportunities to grow digital revenues to 6-figures or more. Hear about strategies for consolidating your content, orchestrating packages to meet buyers’ needs, providing education and product/service information, bundling solutions, and controlling content for member experience. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: .orgCommunity
Thu 7/13 at 1 p.m. – A Walk Through Form 990
Get a high-level overview of Form 990, with a focus on the most common parts and sections, including compensation reporting, financial information, lobbying political activity, and more. Learn about common errors and misunderstandings surrounding Form 990. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Andrew Hassler, Senior Tax Associate, Johnson Lambert LLP
- Calvin Marks, CPA, Principal, Johnson Lambert LLP
Thu 7/13 at 1 p.m. – Brand Matters: How to Build a Personal Brand with Professional Impact
Learn how to establish a personal brand that increases your visibility and opportunities for professional growth; select ideal communication channels to reach your target audience; use your personal brand to help deliver positive, impactful results for your organization, and other useful considerations including maintaining personal privacy and handling controversy. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speakers:
- Scott Conley, Vice President, Naylor Association Solutions
- Natasha Bethea Goodwin, MS, CAE, Senior Director, Marketing and Membership, Information Technology Industry Council
- Carol Vernon, Principal, Communication Matters: Executive Coaching and Training
- Camille Sanders (moderator), CAE, PCM, Senior Director, Career and Workforce Solutions, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Fri 7/14 at 12:30 p.m. – Conversations with Champions
Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). 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, Rogue Tulips
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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Ries Bosch via Unsplash
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