The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Join or Die. I’d love to see that phrase in membership marketing copy. But, seriously, has anyone seen the movie Join or Die yet? I’m hoping to somehow. Featuring Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone, it looks like a PSA for association membership.
Learning subscriptions. Many employers won’t pay for memberships but will pay for professional development. TopClass LMS explains how to keep industry professionals (and members) close with a learning subscription. They describe ASHA’s astounding success with its Learning Pass and share ASHA’s Jack Coursen’s advice from Leading Learning’s recent Learning Business Summit.
Digital initiatives. Professionals for Association Revenue talked to Michelle Brien of Matchbox about the difference between virtual events and digital initiatives. They share five steps for designing digital experiences that encourage engagement and deliver value to your participants, partners and association.
Member mobile app. Bulletin describes how a member app helps nurture member engagement by providing a centralized communication channel for members. Unlike social media platforms, a mobile app is controlled by your association and serves as a tangible reminder of the value of membership.
Webinar latecomers. Check out Amanda Lea Kaiser’s answers to a question from a Member Engagement Lab participant. What to do about webinar or online event latecomers who’ve missed out on valuable chat box conversations?
Event sponsorships. Dave Lutz of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting says it’s time to audit and prune your event sponsorship offerings and shares a step-by-step guide for doing it.
Gen Z and millennial marketing. Here’s some help for marketing more effectively to younger generations. Mercury Creative Group explains how to build an association brand that attracts and builds the loyalty of young members.
Social fitness. Americans aren’t hanging out anymore. We’re scrolling alone—and it’s getting worse every year, per this Atlantic article by Derek Thompson. Can associations and their chapters help bring community to our society of loners? Can you compete with phones?
Quick hits
Nick Bilton on his experience with Apple Vision Pro: “I can see a day when we all can’t imagine living without an augmented reality.” Oh dear. He quotes a Silicon Valley investor too: “Apple feels more and more like a tech fentanyl dealer that poses as a rehab provider.”
Yann LeCun, chief AI scientist at Meta, says, “Human-level artificial intelligence is going to take a long time.” But he would say that, right?
I’ve been listening to the Who Killed JFK podcast from Rob Reiner and Soledad O’Brien. Wow, it’s fantastic, infuriating and illuminating. Reiner is a master storyteller. I can’t imagine anyone can listen to this and still believe Oswald was the assassin. The evidence Reiner and his team dug up overwhelmingly points in another direction, one that’s not so surprising.
You never grow old at the table
Fresh fish doesn’t need much to shine. I baked a few fillets of sheepshead with butter, salt and Turkish seasoning. On the side, roasted Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, red onion, garlic powder and s/p.
In a dinner pinch, I pulled a large container of tortellini with sausage in a tomato cream sauce from the freezer—the remnants of Christmas Eve dinner—enough for a couple of nights.
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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 2/23 at 4 p.m.* – Bring Your Favorite Quote from a Black Author and Tell What It Means to You
In continuing to honor Black History Month, our networking discussion will be about Black authors. Please bring your favorite quote from a Black author and tell what it means to you. Come prepared for an open conversation. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
*All events are online at Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 2/26 at 8 a.m. – The In-Between is Ineffective (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: Cameron Gordon
Tue 2/27 at 12 p.m. – Launching Your Association’s Chapter Ambassador Program: Ramp Up Member Engagement
Each time your stakeholders describe your association with a different voice, it muddies your brand. But there’s a way to ensure that your association spokespersons are conveying your brand: a Chapter Ambassador Program. Hear about the benefits of a Chapter Ambassador Program, how to recruit Ambassador members, the steps needed to launch the program, how to leverage this as a member benefit, and the overall value proposition. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
Speaker: Sheri Singer, president, Singer Communications
Tue 2/27 at 12 p.m. – Digital Learning Accessibility, The Road Ahead
Learn about elevating accessibility as an institutional imperative, designing and implementing institutional policy and strategies, and selecting and using technology-driven innovations to enhance accessibility. More info/register.
Host: EDUCAUSE
Speakers:
- Sambhavi Chandrashekar, Global Accessibility Lead, D2L
- Lainey Feingold, Disability Rights Lawyer, Law Office of Lainey Feingold
- Seamus Harreys, Chief Experience Officer, ansrsource
- Korey Singleton, Assistive Technology Initiative Manager, George Mason University
Tue 2/27 at 1 p.m. – Transforming the Future of Membership and Marketing with AI and Automation
Learn about integrating AI tools and automation processes to enhance member engagement, personalize marketing efforts, and streamline operations. Hear predictions on how job roles within membership and marketing departments will evolve, including the skills that will become essential in this new era. Hear about real-world examples of organizations that have successfully leveraged AI and automation to boost their membership growth and marketing effectiveness. More info/register.
Host: PropFuel
Speakers:
- Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio
- Robert Barnes, CEO, BettyBot
- Dave Will, CEO, PropFuel
Tue 2/27 at 5:30 p.m. – GLAM Happy Hour (Washington DC)
Join us for another GLAM (Gays and Lesbians in Association Management) happy hour to catch up with your LGBTQ+ friends and colleagues in the association community. We meet periodically to share friendship, support, and ideas in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. GLAM is not affiliated with or sponsored by any other group or association. All LGBTQ+ association and nonprofit professionals are welcome to participate. Location: Washington DC. More info.
Organizer: GLAM
Wed 2/28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Marketing Technology Demo Day
Tasked with finding the right marketing technology systems for your organization? Wondering what platforms are out there and what features you should look for? Experience seven in-depth demos from industry partners that are standing by ready to help. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters: HighRoad Solutions, SilverTech & Kentico, Blend Interactive & uMarketingSuite, Storyblok + Reason One, HubSpot, Aplusify, Higher Logic, and rasa.io
Wed 2/28 at 9 a.m. – PAR Member Meet-Up: Strategic Negotiating
Learn key negotiating strategies to improve your negotiation outcomes. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Professionals for Association Revenue
Speaker: Susan Borke, Principal, BorkeWorks
Wed 2/28 at 11 a.m. – Marketing and Membership Survival Guide
Look at communicating through a new lens. Better understand the psychology of how people are engaging with content and trying something a little different based on your strengths. Explore messaging that shares your mission, vision, thoughts, and expertise that turns heads and stops the scroll. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Amy Hager, Organic Marketing Mentor, Amy Hager Solutions
Wed 2/28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Future of the Events Industry 2024
This fifth edition of Skift’s virtual summit focuses on uncovering what lies ahead for the meetings industry. A hand-picked roster of big-thinking professionals at the forefront of innovation will share their vision and how they are actively creating the future of the events industry. Engage with industry pioneers as they discuss the challenges, solutions, and exciting opportunities that lie ahead. 2 CMP credits. More info/register.
Host: Skift
Wed 2/28 at 12 p.m. – What is RevOps?
The intersection of data, technology, and digital marketing has influenced the need for a RevOps role within marketing teams. But what does RevOps really mean? Delve into the operational needs of marketing teams, the responsibilities of this type of role, how technology supports the position, and how associations should prepare for future staffing and upskilling needs. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solutions
Speakers: Chandler Miller, Sr. Digital Advisor, and Aimee Pagano, Director of Programming, HighRoad Solutions
Wed 2/28 at 1 p.m. – They Are Young; They’ll Set the World on Fyyyy-errrr!
Learn how to better understand the societal perspectives of younger generations, ask relevant questions to more fully anticipate the needs of younger members, generate revolutionary ideas to successfully attract younger members, and what these efforts mean for the products, programs, and services associations provide. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Fonteva
Speakers:
- Dana Anaman, CAE, Vice President, Membership and Affiliate Services, PIA National
- Megan Drumm, CAE, Marketing Director, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Stacey Williams, Managing Director, Maplewood Media Partners
- Erin Lemons, Vice President of Marketing, Association Solutions, Fonteva & Protech
Wed 2/28 at 1 p.m. – Cost Saving Strategies
Hear about our current marketplace and how it affects a planners’ strategy during negotiations. Learn about potential hidden fees and how to circumvent the unexpected, creative cost savings measures to impact your bottom-line, and a Cost Savings Report to communicate these savings to your stakeholders in an impactful way. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Speaker: Robyn Mietkiewicz, Innovation Partner, INNOV8 Meetings + Events
Wed 2/28 at 2 p.m. – FBO Monthly Virtual Meet-Up
Bring your pressing problems and look forward to a group of your colleagues sharing their experiences and potential solutions. Potential topics include: AI strategies and challenges; economic expectations in an election year; office space, leasing, virtual work challenges; current expected credit loss standard; and multiple state employment issues. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Finance and Business Operations Professionals Advisory Council
Wed 2/28 at 2 p.m. – Show Me the Money: Navigating Event Sponsorship Challenges in 2024
Learn about innovative strategies to secure and manage event sponsorships effectively and early. Get tips for tackling rising costs and shrinking budgets while demonstrating clear ROI. Learn methods for closing the gap between large and small companies in sponsorship packages. More info/register.
Host: Bizzabo
Speakers:
- Evan Babins, Event Manager, Intuit
- Arianna Black, Director of Events and Digital Experiences, Women in Product
Wed 2/28 at 2 p.m. – The Science Behind High-Performing Teams
Nearly 90% of today’s workers say that they spend 1/3 to 1/2 of each day working in teams. It is no surprise that teams can make or break any organization’s competitive advantage. Hear the surprising truth about what creates or crushes high-performing teams. Learn about the brain science of working in groups and what makes collaboration different from other types of teamwork. Gain key strategies in building trust, inclusion, belonging and psychological safety that you can use to create team excellence again and again. More info/register.
Host: Brain Aware Training
Speakers: Dr. Britt Andreatta, CEO, and Justin Reinert, Learning Effectiveness + Partnerships, Brain Aware Training
Wed 2/28 at 3 p.m. – Navigating the Member Journey Part 2: Using Your Data to Improve Member Engagement
Learn how to use engagement scores to see trends over time and how they have changed; define member personas (which members like which things) based on engagement activities; find potential event attendees, speakers, donors, volunteers and more; and build a member journey from Interested (just learning) to Connected (donor or board member). 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Speaker: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, Association Analytics
Thu 2/29 at 10:30 a.m. – Are Digital Events Getting Better?
You don’t have to struggle to find the right mix of content, technology, fine tuning, and je ne sais quoi for your next online event anymore. The ladies of Cut the Sh*t Cue the Genius are tackling the topic with guest geniuses, Jay Schwedelson (Outcome Media) and Kristen Koenig (RingCentral). More info/register.
Thu 2/29 from 12 to 3 p.m. – Association Marketplace
Spend this Leap Day growing your network and making new connections at the Association Marketplace Grand Opening. Imagine a live virtual expo hall without the conference registration fees. Visit our amazing partners, see some cool demos and walk away with exclusive Grand Opening special offers. More info/register.
Host: Association Marketplace
Thu 2/29 at 12 p.m. – Creating a High-Performance Organizational Culture
Is your organizational culture high-performing? Is it fully in sync with your external brand? Does it attract innovators (and promote innovation) or is it a drag on your organization… and possibly even toxic? No matter where your culture is now, is there a way to do better? Learn about practical tools and strategies to turn your organizational culture into one that retains and attracts talent, drives your business, and improves the quality of your deliverables. More info/register.
Host: Braintrust Professional Institute
Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur
Thu 2/29 at 12 p.m. – Navigating the Paper Trail: A Comprehensive Guide for Record Retention for Nonprofit Excellence
Non-profits and associations typically handle a variety of records, including financial documents, board meeting minutes, program data, and government documents, which may be digital or hard copy. These documents have varying legal requirements and best practices for retention. Learn about the various organizational documents you must keep, how to obtain certain documents if you don’t have them, and the varying best practices for record retention and digital transformation of paper records. More info/register.
Host: Association Executives Network
Speaker: Edward McMurray, Esq.
Thu 2/29 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab: Prime Members to Participate
Which stakeholder group do you most want to engage? Attendees? Potential volunteers? Sponsors? Exhibitors? Students? Young professionals? You’ll vote on the stakeholder group you most want to engage with, and we’ll experiment with many great ideas you can apply immediately. 1 CAE credit. 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
Thu 2/29 at 1 p.m. – Ask the Insurance Nerds: Emerging Insurance Exposures for Associations
Learn how to ensure your organization is properly protected from common existing/current exposures and what emerging risks trade and professional associations need to be prepared for. Get answers to your questions about business insurance, D&O/Employment Practices Liability, Event Cancellation, Cyber Liability and Standards Setting E&O. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speakers: Aon Affinity Nonprofits and AXIS panel
Thu 2/29 at 3 p.m. – The Duty of Foresight: Elevating Association Board Stewardship for a Better Tomorrow
Learn why it’s critical for association boards to set a higher standard of stewardship, governing, and foresight; why associations must confront, interrogate, and defeat their orthodox beliefs; how the duty of foresight reshapes the purpose and work of association boards; and what you can do to build your board’s capacity and elevate its performance for the future. More info/register.
Host: Grype
Speaker: Jeff De Cagna FRSA, FASAE, Executive Advisor, Foresight First
Fri 3/1 at 4 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Issues Women Face at Work That Men Don’t, and How Men Can Be Allies
Our panel members will discuss issues they have faced in the workplace simply because they are women. Our discussion will also include how men can be allies at work when they see women treated differently. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Speakers: Jennifer Baker, Anuja Miner, Jennifer Poff, LaToya Tapscott, and K. Malaika Walton
Tue 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Generative AI and Analytics, Part 2 (Data Analytics Network)
Join association professionals for peer-led discussions on topics related to data and analytics. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Data Analytics Network
Tue 3/5 at 2 p.m. – Association Chat: The Inner Lives of Effective Leaders
You may think most high-performing professionals work harder. Network more. Perform from a deep well of confidence. But could the truth be that the most effective leaders—the top 10-15%—are the most self-aware? Explore the inner lives of leaders and leadership. Discover why inner work matters more than ever in the workplace; three practices that can dramatically change how you think, what you do, and how you feel; and how to recalibrate your mindset for more ease, flow, and authentic confidence. More info/register.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M
Guest: Zovig Garboushian, Executive Coach, Speaker & Trainer, PCC, ELI-MP, Certified Change & Transitions Expert
Tue 3/5 at 1 p.m. – Drive Engagement Using Ancient Myth, Social Media and User Generated Video
The Hero’s Journey powers your favorite movies and books, and has become a key to modern marketing. In a world of intense technology change, this ancient story framework can guide us to effective member engagement and communications. Learn where technology is going and why it matters for your organization; what is the Hero’s Journey and how it applies to companies, products, brands, and member engagement; how video content is dominating the online landscape and how that changes your strategy; and how state-of-the-art tools and technology can give you access to the kinds of stories that move people to action. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices
Wed 3/6 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. – Beyond the Hype: Harnessing the Power of AI and BI in Your AMS (Washington DC)
Explore strategic insights and practical applications of Artificial Intelligence and Business Intelligence you need to transform your association. Learn how AI and predictive analytics are transforming association processes, including membership renewal, dues processing, and reporting; how to fuel data-driven insights across every team; and how to use intelligent recommendations to drive faster decisions. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Hosts: Fíonta, FusionSpan, Nimble, RSM and Salesforce
Wed 3/6 at 11 a.m. – Master Employee Onboarding with Thoughtful IT: Top 7 Tips
One of the quickest ways to tarnish a new employee’s perception of your association is to throw them into a sloppy technology setup. Technology will make or break the employee onboarding experience. As top talent becomes more and more difficult to attract and retain, mastering this process becomes mission critical. Learn about IT’s critical role in a positive onboarding experience; best practices to maximize productivity, engagement, and security; and equipment recommendations to empower hybrid and remote workers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, Optimal Networks
Wed 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Leverage Your Intranet to Supercharge Knowledge Sharing
Hear best practices to help you break down silos and create greater collaboration and higher organizational awareness. Use code L-12DReid2024 for free registration.
Host: Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, CEO, L-12 Services Corp.
Speaker: Matthew Koon, engineer, Workplace Engineering
Wed 3/6 at 1 p.m. – Marketing in the AI Era: Tools and Techniques for Strategic Advantage
Discover a range of easy-to-use AI tools tailored for marketing, membership, and communication roles. Delve into an array of AI marketing tools, from SEO optimization using NLP for enhanced semantic analysis and search volume insights, to email tools that optimize content curation. Learn about innovative solutions in content generation, inline editing, image creation, and AI-driven audio editing tools. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, COO, Rasa.io
Thu 3/7 at 11 a.m. – Unleashing Transformation: Assessing Your Association’s AI Potential
Ready to automate processes, free up time for mission critical work, and ignite a spark of innovation? Assessing the maturity level of your AI tactics is essential to achieving your goals. Learn how to identify where your association falls on a scale from unaware to transformative and learn about the key characteristics that define each category. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Speaker: Rick Bawcum, CEO and Founder of Cimatri
Thu 3/7 at 1 p.m. – Elevating Your Leadership: A Call to Learn from Your Team’s Wisdom (Part 2 of 2)
Dive into leadership practices through original research focused on one organization that harnessed the wisdom of those they lead to elevate their culture and practice. This session serves as both a guide and a case study, offering tangible takeaways and illustrating the profound wisdom leaders can extract from those they lead every day. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Ryan MacTaggart, PhD, Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE
Thu 3/7 at 2 p.m. – Improving Email Deliverability
Hear about a practical approach to improving email delivery and best practices when constructing emails, including what to avoid and how to beat spam filters. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Speaker: Ron McGrath, CEO and Co-founder of HighRoad Solutions
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.
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