The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Paper ceiling. WBT Systems writes about a new ad campaign coming in September from Opportunity@Work, a coalition asking employers to get rid of unnecessary bachelor’s degree requirements for hiring. This ‘paper ceiling’ holds back half the U.S. workforce. WBT describes why and how associations, where appropriate, can join this movement.
Belonging. In an article for MIT Sloan Management Review, Susie Lee from Degreed suggests four things leaders can do to foster a sense of belonging at their organizations. Her team focuses on belonging as an essential element of their DEI initiative because it’s what employees want to feel and it increases employee retention and performance.
APIs. These days, anyone who’s leading a technology project, like an AMS or other system implementation, needs to understand APIs. If you don’t, you can cost your association a lot of time and money. Empowered Margins not only describes what APIs are but also explains their potential. They believe an API strategy is crucial to defining your association’s value proposition and taking the “rightful leadership position to steer your industry.”
Required knowledge for leaders. Amith Nagarajan of Blue Cypress says C-suite leaders “can’t afford to pass off tech to your CIO anymore. It is your job… to have a basic level of competence in tech. More importantly, you need to stay curious and learn what is happening and what is coming next.” That’s why the main themes for this year’s digitalNow conference are Web3 and AI.
Member engagement. Beth Arritt from Higher Logic reports from the unconference sessions at the Mid-Atlantic Society for Association Executives Mid-Year Conference. Unconference sessions give any event more relevance and buzz since they reflect what people want in the moment. At MASAE, the discussion focused on the association predilection to return to ‘normal’ and in-person events, changing member preferences, and using technology more effectively to communicate with members.
AMS basics. If you’re new to association technology and haven’t quite wrapped your head around the association management system (AMS) concept, Personify shares a guide on AMS basics. There’s an AMS for every type of association, even tiny ones, so find out what should be in yours when you go shopping for one.
Quick hits
3 ways to capture conference takeaways and make conference conversations less ephemeral. (Amanda Kaiser, Smooth The Path)
5 things employees do that put your organization at cybersecurity risk. (Ernie Smith, Associations Now)
To PEO or not to PEO—that is the question. (Brian Haney, Association Advisor)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.
When in a rush to make dinner, blackened fish fillets (black drum, in this case) are always a rewarding solution. And if you need to clear out the produce drawer, opt for veggie pesto.
On Sunday, I made a southwest skillet with ground turkey, Portuguese chouriço, sweet potatoes, onion, poblano, red bell, jalapeño, garlic, chipotle, spices, chicken broth, black beans, spinach, corn, cheese, green onions and cilantro. We never tire of this dish because we love those southwest flavors.
For my sister-in-law’s birthday on July 4th, I made a corn salad. I have no idea what recipe inspired me decades ago, but this is what I normally put in mine: bacon, corn, roasted red bell pepper, sweet onion, garlic, grape tomatoes, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and fresh basil. Cook the bacon first and remove it. Add the corn through the grape tomatoes and cook just until the rawness is gone. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients.
Here are the educational events scheduled for next week. . 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’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product centric.
Fri 7/8 at 12 p.m.* – AWTC Mindful Networking
Held the second Friday of each month, these intimate, virtual conversations are a chance to form meaningful connections with other women and allies in the association technology community. Each Mindful Networking will feature one of our amazing AWTC award winners, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Guest: Anne Ornelas, DES, Senior Manager, Business Systems and Strategic Initiatives at CASS
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 7/8 at 12 p.m. – EventTech Chat
A weekly conversation about meeting and event technology, including software, hardware, and audiovisual for in-person and online events. More info/register.
Host: Brandt Krueger, founder Event Technology Consulting
Fri 7/8 at 4 p.m. – Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen
Join us for our Book Club series! We will discuss Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen by Rita McGrath, a guide to spotting inflection points early and harnessing these disruptive influences for a strategic advantage. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Mon 7/11 at 1 p.m. – 30-Minute Monday | WEC: What We Did & Learned
We saw nearly 2,000 registrants for WEC 2022 in San Francisco in-person and online. We planned, we adapted and we learned. Join our amazing events team, Melinda and Tanya, as they share with us what they did to prepare for WEC and what we learned now that we are post event. 0.5 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Mon 7/11 at 1 p.m. – Zoom Makeover (Nonprofit Conversations with Cecilia Sepp, CAE)
This series of 15- to 20-minute videos covers hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. New episodes are posted around 1 p.m. every Monday. Check out Cecilia’s Nonprofit Executive Spotlight series too.
Guest: Shelley Golden
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
Mon 7/11 at 2 p.m. – Summer Series: Interviews with Innovators #1
Join us for a special conversation with three key innovators in the association space to learn what innovation means to them, and what changes they see on the horizon for associations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Presenters:
- KiKi L’Italien, Chief Executive Officer & Online Blog, Community & Podcast Host at Association Chat
- Reggie Henry, Chief Information and Engagement Officer at ASAE
- Kevin Boyce, Chief Executive Officer at Higher Logic
Tue 7/12 at 9 a.m. – International Association Policy and Legal Update: What Associations Need to Know
From the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia to new policies impacting everything from transatlantic travel to sustainability, governments and multilateral institutions have been active in shaping the operating environment for our associations, especially those with global operations. Hear from public affairs experts and association leaders from across the globe as they share their insights and expertise on the ever-changing policy and legal landscape. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Community
Presenters:
- Jeff Evans, Director, Public Policy, ASAE
- Alfons Westgeest, Managing Partner, Kellen
- Steven Basart, Vice President, Asia, Kellen
- Tommy Goodwin, Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance
- Danielle Baron (Moderator), Staff Vice President, School Nutrition Association
Tue 7/12 at 11 a.m. – EdTech Trends: Un-Siloing & Digitizing Professional Education
Journals and ebooks have long since made the shift to digital, and the technologies that support them have become table stakes for publishers. Learn how societies and publishers are taking professional education online, whether continuing education, maintenance of certification training, or offerings to help clinicians or practitioners keep current with the latest advances in their field. More info/register.
Host: Silverchair
Presenters:
- Amanda Fielding, Director of Product Management, McGraw Hill
- Amit R.T. Joshi, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at Cooper Medical School, and Editor-in-Chief of the American Board of Surgery’s Surgical Council on Resident Education
- Laura Ricci, Senior Consultant, Clarke & Esposito
- Anna Salt, Chief Commercial Officer, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Jake Zarnegar (moderator), Chief Business Development Officer, Silverchair
Tue 7/12 at 12 p.m. – What Fuels Us All: Technology Innovation in Associations and Why IT Matters
Most all of us are members of associations or at the very least represented by an association based on our industry or interests. With thousands of members, the amount of tech, apps and integration supporting associations and members is increasingly complex. Plus, associations conduct more conferences and trade shows than any individual industry. This means the demand for evolving tech such as VR and metaverse is increasing. Learn about the range of associations and their technology needs. More info/register.
Host: Tech Up for Women
Presenters:
- Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, President and CEO of ASAE
- Loretta DeLuca, Founder and CEO of DelCor Technology Solutions, Inc.
Tue 7/12 at 12 p.m. – Back to the Ballroom: Changes, Expectations and Innovations
Get ready to hear from industry experts who have already dove back into the in-person event waters. We’ll cover: big changes—what you need to know for your next expo or user conference; tips to make the most of your trade shows and expos, from sponsor options, booth design, floor plans and logistics; creating meaningful engagement at in-person events through experiential sessions, activations and collaboration; best practices for engaging attendees with the right event format from sessions, content delivery and networking; and choosing the right vendor partners to help you source venues, locations, AV and more. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Presenters:
- Nancy Snowden, Manager of Educational Experiences, MPI
- Lisa Vogel, Leader, Field & Event Marketing, Webex Events (formerly Socio)
Thu 7/12 at 2 p.m. – From a Logo to a Look with Fair Labor Association
If you’re thinking about updating your organization’s brand, there’s something important you need to know: a new logo doesn’t automatically equal a new look. (And a new look doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have a new logo!) Learn what you can expect your next year to look like if you decide to change your logo and your look, how to prioritize what pieces to transition first, how a communication audit streamlines the process, and what it’s like keeping the rollout of your look a priority after your logo is complete. More info/register.
Host: Iris Creative Group
Presenters:
- Bill Furmanski, senior director of communications at Fair Labor Association
- Beth Brodovsky, president, Iris Creative Group
Wed 7/13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – How Being Intentional with Your SME Program Affects Your Exam
The foundational building block of any exam maintenance program is the individual SMEs that write and review items, analyze JTAs, and ultimately make your exam defensible. When it comes to SMEs, every program faces the same four critical challenges: understanding the best way to attract them, assembling efficient teams for your workshops, motivating them to accomplish organizational goals, and finally, evaluating individual performance. Learn how focusing on individual skill sets and diversities at the workshop level creates better outcomes and more valid exams. More info/register.
Host: Certification Network Group
Presenters:
- Annette M. Parry Bush, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN®, ICE-CCP, Director of Credentialing at the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center
- Eric Nepomuceno, Examinations Manager, CFP Board
- Heidi Schreifels, Certification Program Manager, F5 Networks
- Isabelle Gonthier, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Assessment Services, PSI Services
- Guillermo Ortiz de Zarate (moderator), CIIO, NCARB, and President, Lineup Management Services
Wed 7/13 at 12 p.m. – MPI Association Professionals Hot Topic Chat: Lessons Learned from Spring Events
Join MPI’s Association Professionals Community Council as we discuss lessons learned from spring events. This informal discussion will look at what went well, areas to consider spending more time & resources on, and ideas to take with you as you plan your future association events. Bring your stories to share with the group. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Wed 7/13 at 1 p.m. – Does My AMS Have to Have a Bridge to My LMS?
Learn why a seamless integration between your AMS and your LMS is crucial, the secret to simplifying complex association tech stack decisions, and the importance of having a system where strong integrations are foundational. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: Fonteva & Protech
Presenters:
- Andy Hicken, Ph.D., VP, Technolgy Solutions, Web Courseworks
- Erin Lemons, Senior Director of Marketing, Fonteva & Protech
Wed 7/13 at 2 p.m. – Creating Lifelong Super Members For Your Association
You’ve set up all your campaigns, created that sweet follow-up email with all the right content for your members but what do you do to create a Super Member? Learn how to create champion members by listening, align your content to your member’s needs as your member grows professionally, tap into your member’s emotion to create value, and leverage the exclusivity of your association insights and stories. More info/register.
Host: Association TV
Presenters: Brianne from PropFuel and Doug from WorkerBee.TV
Wed 7/13 at 2 p.m. – Fun Ways for Groups to Experience a Destination
Today’s attendees want more than a superficial introduction to a destination. They want to connect with the host city or region on a deeper level: meet residents, try new activities, sample local cuisine and enjoy unique cultural experiences. Learn about new and unique ideas that allow groups to experience local color, how attendees can make deeper connections with local communities, and suggestions for meaningful budget-friendly experiences. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Presenters:
- Thuy Diep, CGSP, DMCP, CSEP, Senior Experience Designer, Haute
- Joe Fijol, DMCP, Principal, ETHOS Event Collective
- Kate Patay, CPCE, Director of Engagement, Terramar, a DMC Company
- Lisa Grimaldi (moderator), Editor, Incentives and Destinations, Northstar Meetings Group
Thu 7/14 at 11 a.m. – The 3 R’s of Membership | The First R: Recruit | Ensuring Your Member Onboarding Journey Gets Results
A clear and engaging member onboarding strategy is your best member retention tool and fundamental to your association’s continued success. Learn how to create a defined onboarding journey, aligned to your strategy, that delivers a personalized and frictionless experience for the new member journey. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: iMIS by ASI
Presenters: Nathan Slovin, Director of Client Excellence Programs, and Paul Ramsbottom, Managing Director Asia-Pacific, iMIS by ASI
Thu 7/14 at 12 p.m. – LinkedIn: Maximize Member Engagement and Strategic Recruitment
You’ve joined LinkedIn, but how are you using it to leverage member and business relationships? Learn how to stay front of mind with your members and business relationships; increase member engagement, warm referrals, and prospecting success; and stay abreast of trends that impact business and industry. More info/register.
Host: GrowthZone
Presenter: Shari Pash, founder of Strategic Solutions for Growth
Thu 7/14 at 12 p.m. – Unlock the Power of TikTok for Your Social Strategy
With 800 million active users worldwide, TikTok is influencing a whole new generation of social media users and consumers. Learn how TikTok content and influencers drive engagement and influence consumer behavior, and how to measure your competitive share of voice, engage consumers, and drive revenue growth for your business. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Presenter: Mike Baglietto, Global Head of Market Insights, NetBase Quid
Thu 7/14 at 1 p.m. – Event Summer Camp Series: Engagement & Collaboration
Whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid, attendee engagement is always top-of-mind. Learn how to enhance your attendees’ experience using native integrations, 3rd party tools, and vendors by adding unique experiences into your event mix. More info/register.
Host: Webex Events
Presenters: Yvonne deFuria, Event Production Manager and Alyssa Rudner, Customer Success Manager, Webex Events
Thu 7/14 at 3 p.m. – Do You Know the Dirty Little Secret About Chapters?
There’s an odd pattern in chapters. It ran in the background for many associations—and got institutionalized in some interesting ways. Then came Covid—and the dirty little secret got bigger. Do you know what the secret is? Hint: It’s doing a lot of damage to chapter leaders and fueling burnout within them. Are you aware of how it impacts your association’s chapters? More info/register.
Host: Cynthia D’Amour, People Power Unlimited
Fri 7/15 at 12 p.m. – EventTech Chat
A weekly conversation about meeting and event technology, including software, hardware, and audiovisual for in-person and online events. More info/register.
Host: Brandt Krueger, founder Event Technology Consulting
Fri 7/15 at 4 p.m. – Leading Teams in a Flexible Location Work Environment
Associations and non-profits are increasingly instituting policies that allow employees to work from the location of their choice, and even hiring staff working in all regions of the country. That change also is driving a change in how managers lead their teams and train new employees. Join a discussion on how to lead a dispersed workforce and hear tips from the facilitator’s previous career in the foreign service and recent experience being hired while the office was fully remote. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Facilitator: K. Malaika Walton, CAE, Senior Associate at Association Management Services
Tue 7/19 at 12:30 p.m. – Meetings of Membership Minds
These impromptu, casual discussions about membership concepts, issues, and challenges are conducted live online and open to membership professionals to comment and offer insights. More info/register.
Hosts: Dan Ratner, The Business of Membership, and Scott Oser, Scott Oser Associates
Tue 7/19 at 2 p.m. – Where to Invest to Optimize Your Hybrid Workforce
In today’s challenging marketplace, leaders are competing for various resources, and number one on that list is people. Employing and retaining quality staff is paramount for organizations facing some of the lowest unemployment rates in decades. Yet as unemployment rates go down, operating and other expenses continue to go up, which begs the question: Where should you invest your limited resources and dollars to optimize your workforce? Hear about strategies and tactics addressing the need for purposeful interactions and how to plan for them, top retention methods, and communication and time-saving tools. 1 CAE credit. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Achurch Consulting
Wed 7/20 at 12 p.m. – Cybersecurity for Association Leaders
Learn why people and their security knowledge are your most important defense and your biggest risk, why to focus as much on discovery and recovery as preventative defense, and the top six things to ensure you’re doing well. More info/register.
Host: ClearTone Consulting
Presenters:
- Ron Moen, CIO, ASCP
- Thad Lurie, CIO, ISPOR
- Brian Scott, president and CIO, ClearTone Consulting
Thu 7/21 at 1 p.m. – Association Creative Marketing Masterclass: Reviewing Creative
A course to help develop practical creative and copywriting skills, professional critique techniques, and balanced brand stewardship. Each instructor will share learnings from their career and evaluate real-life association marketing collateral, providing their recommendations, ideas, and concerns. In this session, Chris explains how to conduct a creative review of marketing collateral, sharing time-tested best practices he learned while working for global ad advertising agencies and consumer marketing companies. 1 CAE credit per session. Thursdays through August 11. More info/register.
Host: Chris Gloede, Association Academy
Session instructor: Chris Gloede, Lead Instructor, Association Academy
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 or Twitter by Wednesday afternoon.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Chris Abney via Unsplash
Association Brain Food 