The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Reflection. “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” ―William Penn
Chapter events. Here’s a conundrum: How can members ever feel like part of their chapter community if they don’t attend chapter events? Billhighway explains how to get reacquainted with post-pandemic chapter members and design a chapter event experience that’s worth their time.
Leadership training. Members aren’t willing to dedicate as many volunteer hours as they once did—that’s the word on the street. WBT Systems suggests offering something valuable in exchange for their time: free leadership training they can apply at work and at your association.
Event apps. You’d think every attendee would use your event app, but that’s not always the case. However, their event experience—and your sponsors’ satisfaction—would improve if they did. EventMobi explains how to increase event app usage, including a plan for roll-out, understanding attendee personas, value-focused messaging, and engagement. Good stuff.
Users group. Wes Trochlil of Effective Database Management points out the power of users groups—a must-read if you work regularly with an AMS. He compares them to associations: both are designed to “bring together like-minded people to address similar challenges.”
Chat GPT. Tiffany Moule at Higher Logic explains what associations should know about ChatGPT. She warns that “careful human oversight, editing, and institutional knowledge is still required,” but suggests how to use it for research and content creation.
Non-dues revenue partners. Navigate CES describes how to 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!).
Association growth mindset. Association executives want their organizations to evolve and take advantage of new opportunities, but something is holding them back. Amith Nagarajan at Sidecar makes the diagnosis: they need to build a growth mindset into their culture—and he explains how to do that.
Community censoring. Aaron Terr at Persuasion makes a free speech case for Section 230, which prevents owners of social media platforms and online communities from being sued for user-generated content. However, the SAFE TECH Act would eliminate this protection. Will this legislation have consequences for risk-averse associations and their communities? Politicians want to beat up on social media platforms because people are saps, but what are the downstream effects? And, yes, I wrote to ASAE about it last weekend, but haven’t heard back.
Good listens
Earlier this year, Amanda Kaiser was on the Radio Free 501c podcast hosted by Cecilia Sepp. She talked about elevating engagement, including what’s going on in members’ heads during the six stages of member engagement.
Quick hits
Improve responsiveness to your emails by implementing these four principles. (Gino Silva-Payne, Email Meter)
For goodness’ sakes, do not use your credit card with Venmo. (Saving Money with Andrew)
What a story. How Christopher Burney discovered mindfulness in a Nazi solitary confinement cell. (Ted Gioia)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.
I’m cooking again! Here’s an easy one: pan-seared yellowfin tuna with avocado, soy, ginger and lime. Add a little sesame oil too.
On the side, sweet and spicy zucchini. Cross hatch squash halves, then brush them with a glaze of honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce and sambal oelek (hot chili paste). Bake until softened, brushing with glaze every now and then.
I adapted my Portuguese fish skillet recipe from UK and US recipes. I make mine with linguiça. This time, I used ribbonfish and sheepshead, a strange combo, I know, but they were in a bag together in the freezer.
On the side, sautéed Brussels sprouts greens—yes, you read that correctly. We had a sad sprout harvest because Jim thinks he planted them too close together, but we love the greens. They remind us of frost-kissed (sweeter) collards. I added red onion, red bell pepper, carrots, garlic, slivered dried figs and chicken broth to the greens.
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 5/19 at 11 a.m.* – Do This, Not That! Q2 Email Marketing Tips
Hear insights from six of the industry’s leading email marketing experts. Discover the latest email tips, trends and tactics for both business and consumer markets that will take your campaigns to the next level. More info/register.
Host: GURU Events
Speakers:
- Chase Dimond – Top Ecommerce Email Marketer, EmailUp
- Nancy Harhut – Chief Creative Officer, HBT Marketing
- Brian Minick – Chief Operating Officer, ZeroBounce
- Steffen Schebesta- CEO & VP of Corp Development, Sendinblue
- Jay Schwedelson, Founder of SubjectLine.com
- Pierce Ujjainwalla – Co-founder & CEO, Knak
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 5/19 at 4 p.m. – Hope, Inclusion, Support, & Strategies to Maximize Mental Health
Learn about the resources and strategies available to boost our mental wellbeing and support our colleagues, friends, and family members, and
mental health awareness month and how to participate. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Speaker: Mental Wellness Coach Sarah Larrabee
Mon 5/22 at 8 a.m. – Consuming Research Responsibly (Radio Free 501c)
Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting (formerly Nonprofit Conversations) features guests from across the nonprofit community and the business world to share expertise on a variety of topics related to the practice of nonprofit management. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format on most podcast services.
Guests:
- Elizabeth Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting, LLC
- Polly Karpowicz, MBA, CAE, Nonprofit Consultant
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
Mon 5/22 at 1 p.m. – Community Connect Panel Continuation
Join us for the 30-Minute Monday series where a subject matter expert and moderator sit down for a hard-hitting, jam-packed 30-minute conversation about the topics you need to know to start your week. No slides, no long lectures, just facts, tips, and tricks to help you take your events and business to the next level. Last month we had our first Community Connect. Join us back with our panelist as we continue the conversation. 0.5 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Tue 5/23 at 11 a.m. – Membership Experience: What’s Cloud Got to Do with It?
For many years, association technology teams have been talking about move to the cloud. Learn what the cloud is, how member expectations have been transformed by the cloud, and how your association can leverage cloud technologies to deliver a superior membership experience. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Alex Mouw, Principal Strategic Advisor, Amazon Web Services
Tue 5/23 at 2 p.m. – Diverse Leadership in Associations: Strategies for Overcoming Systemic Barriers to CEO and C-Suite Roles
Learn how systemic biases, discriminating practices and antiquated policies and structures limit opportunities for BIPOC professionals to access leadership roles within associations; best practices for building more inclusive and equitable leadership pipelines, including recruitment, mentorship and professional development programs; and strategies for fostering a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and justice within associations and promoting accountability and transparency in leadership pipelines. More info/register.
Host: Nonprofit HR
Speakers:
- Antonio Cortes, PhD, Managing Director, EDIJ
- Steven Krzanowski, MA, Senior Consultant, EDIJ
- Danisha Martin, MBA, CSC, Team Leader & Senior Consultant, Impact Search Advisors by Nonprofit HR
- Bert Ruiz, MS, Managing Director, Impact Search Advisors by Nonprofit HR
Tue 5/23 at 2 p.m. – Navigating the Complex World of Event Technology: Strategies for Choosing the Right Tech for Your Event Needs
Explore the best practices and strategies for selecting the right event tech for your specific event needs. Learn how to navigate the complex world of event tech and select the right tools for your event needs. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Speaker: Huong Nguyen, CEO and Head of Client Services at Shiloh Events
Wed 5/24 at 7 a.m. – Negotiating Contracts: Essentials for Associations
Learn about the key elements of contract negotiation, such as contract terms, indemnification, force majeure, and dispute resolution. Hear about best practices for preparing for negotiations, identifying and assessing potential risks, and establishing effective communication and negotiation strategies, insights into negotiating contracts, and practical guidance on how to protect the interests of their association and avoid common pitfalls. More info/register.
Host: Association of Association Executives
Speakers:
- Nadia Rubtsova, Founder, Business & Events Academy
- Paul Walsh, EMIAM (Seminar Chair), Seminar Programme Manager, Association of Association Executives
Wed 5/24 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: Qiqo
Wed 5/24 at 12 p.m. – Corporate Sponsorship Brainstorming Session
Ever wished you had a roundtable of association leaders and experts to brainstorm corporate sponsor support for your members’ needs? Bring a specific project you are trying to find corporate support for—or a challenge your members face—for a brainstorming discussion to generate ideas you can put to use. More info/register.
Hosts: Alexandria Association Execs with AIOT
Speaker: Corporate Partnership & Sponsorship Consultant Bruce Rosenthal
Wed 5/24 at 12 p.m. – 2023 Event Trends Study: Advancing the Next Generation of Events
Hear about the findings of the 2023 Event Trends Study, a study of 500+ professionals who plan events for corporations, government organizations, nonprofits, and associations. Learn about planners’ outlooks, goals, and concerns about the future of their organizations’ events; how they use event technology and how technology adoption impacts event strategies; technology’s impact on driving event growth; and action items for big-time event growth. More info/register.
Host: Community Brands
Speakers: Jason Daiger, Vice President of Product & Client Services, Events, and Tirrah Switzer, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Community Brands
Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Let’s Talk About… Your Monthly Chance to Connect with Association Peers
During this meetup, you’ll have the chance to break into tables based on the topics that you’re interested in. This month, we’re covering: volunteer management and creating a culture of volunteerism, artificial intelligence and how we’re implementing it, and event planning and contracting. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Hybrid Board Meetings Are Here to Stay
While hybrid meetings offer advantages, they also come with potential challenges. Learn from experts in governance and technology solutions about best practices for maintaining engagement and purpose in hybrid meetings, structuring them effectively, and leveraging the virtual component to increase productivity. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speakers:
- Jordan Castel, Nonprofit and Association Consultant, OnBoard Meetings
- Matthew McEwan, Vice President, Minute Solutions
- Eileen Murray, American Epilepsy Society
- David Bergeson, PhD, CAE (noderator), Vice President, Association Management Center
Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Future of Work from Anywhere
Learn how to define the role of hybrid-work in your organization and the best technology approaches to ensure security, productivity, collaboration and cost-effectiveness. Hear about the “why” behind unified communications (UC), key features and benefits as well as the top considerations when selecting a UCaaS or collaboration platform. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Dave Hopper, Solution Architect, Bridgepointe Technologies
- Adam Kuhn, Director of IT for FIA (Futures Industry Association)
- Ali Niroo, Managing Partner, Bridgepointe Technologies
Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Prepare for the AI Revolution: Tips, Trends, and Strategies for Event Profs
Learn about the benefits and limitations of AI-powered chatbots and how you can leverage data insights to maximize their impact on your event marketing efforts. Hear about real-world examples of successful AI-driven event marketing campaigns and explore the tough questions about what artificial intelligence means for the events industry. More info/register.
Host: Bizzabo
Speakers:
- Liz Caruso, CEO, techsytalk, Inc
- Dahlia El Gazzar, Tech Evangelist + Idea Igniteur, Dahlia+ Agency
- Oren Berkovich, Head of Experience Lab, Bizzabo
Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Grow, Engage, Delight! Creating Content On LinkedIn to Grow Our Brands and Influence
Learn the formula for creating a healthy balance of content on LinkedIn, three effective content formats that will “stop the scroll” and engage with your audience, and LinkedIn algorithm hacks that will get more eyes on your content. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Speaker: Leanne Calderwood, CMP, LinkedIn Expert
Wed 5/24 at 3 p.m. – 5 Changes that Will Expand Your Content’s Reach
Learn how to turn your association’s content into effective drivers of engagement. Find out how to create a Content Hub that ties together disparate content into a more cohesive presentation with more context, control, and analytics; how content visualizations can “up” your engagement game and drive discovery across all your bases of knowledge; and how to know what your “customers” want and ensuring you’re delivering the right content to the right people at the right time. More info/register.
Host: Aplusify
Speaker: Paul Burke, Senior Account Executive, Aplusify
Thu 5/25 at 11 a.m. – Taking Charge of Your Digital Transformation Strategy
Hear about the importance of leading and implementing an effective digital transformation strategy for your association. Learn how effective digital transformation is led from the top and what strategies to consider when starting your journey. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: iMIS by ASI
Thu 5/25 at 11 a.m. – A Not So Quiet Conversation About Quiet Hiring
Quiet hiring is when employers fill talent gaps by shifting employees around and hiring contractors or part-time workers. Learn how to gain in-demand talent and utilize part-time and contract workers as a critical workforce development strategy. Get specific tools and templates to help you manage the hiring process, including How to Create a Great Job Description, Situational Interview Questions, and a sample assessment/interview scorecard. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Jaime Hirschfeld, Director of Client Sales, FlexProfessionals, DC
Thu 5/25 at 12 p.m. – Looking Forward 2023 Solutions: The Association Strategies Essential to Success
Looking Forward® 2023 Solutions is yearly research that tests 120 strategies currently implemented by associations. Get a first look at research data and learn about strategies that associations believe are critical to success, principal challenges facing association strategy as the sector continues to change in relation to current events, and how to access and filter the Looking Forward Dashboard for the specific information and reports you need. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Laboratory
Speakers:
- Leo Baran, Director of Membership and SEA Engagement, National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
- Jeanette Gass, Senior Program Manager, Global Market Development, International City/County Management Association
- Nikki Golden, CAE, strategist, Association Laboratory
- Dean West, FASAE, founder and president, Association Laboratory
Thu 5/25 at 12 p.m. – Enhance the Board Member Lifecycle: Experiences Create Impact
Learn how the Board Member Lifecycle prepares new board members for successful leadership; how to create pathways for effective, continuing board leadership; how to maximize your board’s contribution to your organization; and how to leverage past presidents, chairs, and board members as a powerful resource for years to come. More info/register.
Host: Hight Performance Group
Speakers:
- Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, co-founding principal partner for Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits, LLC and co-founder for Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
- Cathi Hight, President of Hight Performance Group
Thu 5/25 at 12 p.m. – Beat the Burnout
According to a study, event planning is the third-most stressful job in the world for 2023. Hear strategies to beat burnout and achieve a better approach to our workload. Learn tips to manage stress, prioritize self-care, and set boundaries that will help you stay energized and focused. More info/register.
Host: Black In Events Network
Speakers: The Health Institute
Thu 5/25 at 1 p.m. – Cybersecurity: A Team Sport
We all know how crucial cybersecurity is in today’s digital world, but are you fully aware of the risk and legal ramifications of a breach? Hear how to assess and mitigate cybersecurity risks in your organization. Get a better understanding of the cybersecurity risks your organization faces, the tools available to manage those risks, the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about cybersecurity risk management, and to communicate those risks to stakeholders. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- David DeCillis, CISSP, Senior Product Specialist, ARG
- David Kuchar, Managing Partner, ARG, Inc.
- Trey Mauck, CEO & Founder, Integrated Insurance Solutions
Thu 5/25 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.– CEX 2.0 Virtual: Building Component Success
Explore three critical challenges for component relations professionals (CRPs): helping chapter leaders be CEOs (Chief Engagement Officers); getting chapter leaders’ attention; and data, data, data. Come for the content and go home with a community. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
Speakers:
- Peggy Hoffman, Mariner Management
- Peter Houstle, Mariner Management
- Sarah Robertson, Billhighway
- Sheri Singer, Singer Communications
Thu 5/25 at 2 p.m. – Findings from Interviews with 100 Corporate Sponsors That Can Help Associations Improve Their Sponsorship Program Success
Learn the top trends Bruce learned from interviews with corporate sponsors, including actual quotes from sponsors. Understand how to use what we learn from corporate sponsor interviews to improve association sponsorship programs. Hear about best practices you can use to interview your sponsors, plus five key questions to ask. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Non-Dues-a-Palooza
Speaker: Bruce Rosenthal, corporate sponsorship consultant and co-founder of the Partnership Professionals Network
Thu 5/25 at 2 p.m. – Key Contact Programs
Hear advice on effectively identifying, educating, and mobilizing your grasstops advocates. More info/register.
Host: Aristotle
Fri 5/26 at 12:00 p.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: Qiqo
Tue 5/30 at 12 p.m. – How to Contract with and Manage State Lobbyists
Does your organization have a strong grassroots presence or is your board a team of grasstops influencers? Do you work in a state, a region or across the country? Learn the right questions to ask and the best practices to put in place to set your association up for success. Hear the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Find out how to identify, hire and manage the professional lobbying presence that works best for your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Community
Speakers:
- Jim Leahy, CAE, Managing Director, Regional & Federal Programs for Liberty Square Group
- Lorrie Trogden, CAE, President/CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association
- David Lusk (moderator), Founder of Key Advocacy
Thu 6/1 at 2 p.m. – AMS or CRM: A Candid Conversation
Hear about the different approaches between platforms, key features that all associations need in their AMS/CRM and tips for a successful selection regardless of the platform you choose. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: 501Works, LLC
Speakers:
- Moira Edwards, President, Ellipsis Partners
- Jennie Koss, Senior Consultant, Cooper Consulting
- Wes Trochlil, Founder, EDM – Effective Database Management
Fri 6/2 at 1 p.m. – Dissecting the Chat GPT/Generative AI Disruption: Use Cases, Concerns, Threats & Opportunities for Event Profs
Hear about the top AI use cases for event profs; broader shifts and implications for our industry; 25 smart ways event profs can use ChatGPT & other Generative AI tools; challenges, concerns, and opportunities; and an overview of the top platforms. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Speakers:
- Nick Borelli, Marketing Director, Zenus
- Jen Santos, Founder & CEO, Smart Event Academy
- Howard Givner (moderator), SVP Knowledge & Innovation, PCMA | Founder, Event Leadership Institute
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 Lukasz Szmigiel via Unsplash
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