The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
If you use Creative Commons photos from Flickr for your blog, keep an eye on this developing story from Ernie Smith at Associations Now. Flickr is going to a subscription model and many of those photos may be deleted unless Creative Commons works out a solution.
While we’re on the topic of Creative Commons images, the Art Institute of Chicago opened up their collection. Check out their public domain images, like the Mondrian above.
MemberSuite shares the many different ways your association can collect and update member data throughout the membership journey.
Association project managers carry a heavy load, especially if they’re expected to juggle their regular job along with their project responsibilities. Been there! Gretchen Steenstra at DelCor describes what people, policies, talents and tools should be in the project management backpack.
Is your CRM or database ready for the end-of-year giving season? It’s not too late to implement some of the advice provided by Fíonta on their blog.
If you want to help your members connect, learn and improve their professional practices together, consider offering professional learning communities. WBT Systems explains how they work, how they benefit your association and members, and how to get them going.
In the braggadocio department, I got a shout-out for my Twitter stream from Hubb in their 10 Essential Online Resources for Association Professionals. I do spend a good amount of time finding, reading and scheduling good reads so I’m glad the folks at Hubb recognized that. Pat on head.
A few quick hits before we get to this week’s list of free webinars:
- Need to know info: the ultimate guide to Google ranking factors in 2019. (HubSpot)
- What title in someone’s LinkedIn or Twitter bio makes them immediately lose credibility? Take note! (CB Insights/Instagram)
- It’s time to stop spending billions on cheap, environmentally-unfriendly conference swag. (Elizabeth Segran, Fast Company)
Off-topic: Check out my Grabbing the Gusto blog for posts about the recipes I’ve made recently or plan to make soon.
Here are the educational events scheduled for next week plus a few extra. If you have any free webinars or events coming up, please send me the link. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not product-centric.
Mon 11/12 at 2 p.m.* – 3 Ways to Grow Your Membership in a Changing World (Membership Growth Online Summit)
If you ask a room full of membership leaders how their growth is going, you’ll likely hear mixed reviews. But most will agree that recruitment and retention feels tougher now than ever before. Learn the real reasons why many organizations find it difficult to hit their growth goals, and the practical steps you can take to increase your membership. 1 CAE credit. More information.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Joy Duling, Membership Growth Expert
*All times are Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 11/13 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable in Washington DC
Connect with fellow Component/Chapter Relations Professionals (CRPs) to network and discuss current chapter challenges, such as how to measure and increase the health of chapters; best practices for chapter operations (volunteer tools, processes, etc.); and how to get the right statistics to prevent national and chapter level members from leaving. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Tue 11/13 at 12 p.m. – How to Use Your “Listening Ears” to Transform Your Website User Experience
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) has a loyal, interested audience: parents of children with food allergies. But FARE realized that they weren’t giving visitors the web experience they needed to navigate their daily food allergy challenges. Walk through FARE’s user research, which guided the redesign and overhaul of the main website and the creation of the FARE College Database, a place for prospective and current college students to browse food allergy accommodation information for U.S. schools. More info/register.
Host: Beaconfire RED
Presenters:
- Karie Mulkowsky, National Programs Manager, Food Allergy Research & Education
- TJ Peeler, UX Designer, Beaconfire RED
Tue 11/13 at 12 p.m. – Cause-Related Marketing, Sweepstakes, Raffles, and Other Charitable Promotions: Being Creative and Compliant (Washington DC and webinar)
Nonprofits and companies need to be aware of their responsibilities under federal, state, and even local laws when engaged in charitable sales promotions, commercial co-ventures, matching donation programs, sweepstakes, raffles, and online auctions. Learn the ins and outs of this constantly evolving area of law, so that when your nonprofit is presented with a novel twist on a familiar fundraising method, both you and the promotion sponsor will be well equipped to navigate this highly regulated space. Locations: Washington DC and online. More info/register.
Host: Venable LLP
Presenters:
- Cindy M. Lewin, Partner, Venable LLP
- Melissa Landau Steinman, Partner, Venable LLP
- Cristina I. Vessels, Associate, Venable LLP
Tue 11/13 at 1 p.m. – Create Business Value with Integrated Learning Solutions
Even the most extensive course library isn’t enough to meet learners on their terms in today’s fluid, fast-paced business environment. That’s why many organizations are turning to integrated learning experiences. Learn what to expect from integrated learning experiences, why these solutions are so effective, essential elements for an integrated approach, common pitfalls to avoid when developing an integrated strategy, and how to measure, analyze and interpret results. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Talented Learning and CrossKnowledge
Presenters:
- John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst, Talented Learning
- Paul Morton, Regional Director, Continental Europe and Americas, CrossKnowledge
Tue 11/13 at 2 p.m. – Top Automated Campaigns for Associations: Membership Renewals
The 2018 State of Marketing Automation Benchmark Report found that membership renewal campaigns are one of the top automated campaign types associations are leveraging with positive results. See real-life examples from your association peers using marketing automation to keep members coming back year after year. Learn how associations are successfully using marketing automation to drive renewal revenue and convey the value of membership, identify messaging that resonates with members, and save staff time and automate manual processes. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Presenter: Mike Hurley, Association Solutions Advisor, Higher Logic
Tue 11/13 at 2 p.m. – 3 Ways to Use Google to Grow Your Membership (Membership Growth Online Summit)
Learn three ways you can use Google to attract and engage more members. Find out how to use both free and paid tools to reach the people on Google most likely to join and support your organization, and how to create content that catches their attention. 1 CAE credit. More information.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Farhad Chikhliwala, Demand Generation Expert
Tue 11/13 at 2 p.m. – Data: From Information to Orchestrated Action
Learn how you can start to better quantify events and evolve your data capabilities to drive better decision making. Better understand basic data terminology and the foundational elements for success. Explore practical measurements and uses for data that you can apply now. Discover what’s next in terms of filling the gaps for better data adoption in the industry. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Brooke Homar, Director, Strategy & Data, Freeman
Wed 11/14 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable in Alexandria VA
Connect with fellow Component/Chapter Relations Professionals (CRPs) to network and discuss current chapter challenges, such as how to measure and increase the health of chapters; best practices for chapter operations (volunteer tools, processes, etc.); and how to get the right statistics to prevent national and chapter level members from leaving. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Wed 11/14 at 12 p.m. – How the Member Experience Shapes the Association Space
Learn how to shape the member journey and take insightful actions and decisions to enhance every interaction with your members. Member expectations regarding their experience with you and your staff are higher than ever. Organizations used to focus on member benefits, but now they’re focusing on the actual member experience. Delivering that experience requires a more complete understanding of the member and their interaction with your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: MemberSuite
Presenters: Natalie Cheney, CEO, and Shaun O’Reilly, VP of Marketing, MemberSuite
Wed 11/14 at 12 p.m. – Event Strategy: How to Get More Leads and Better Sales
Learn how to position yourself to get better leads and more sales, and discover the five areas to focus on to have a successful event business and to get a life. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Event Manager Blog
Presenter: Eric Rozenberg, Event Business Formula
Wed 11/14 at 1:00 p.m. – Say Yes Less: Why It Matters and How to Do It
Saying “yes” all the time simply is not sustainable. In trying to be all things to all people, we may end up being not enough of anything…for anyone. Explore saying yes less, why it matters and the beliefs and behaviors required to do it. While the principles discussed in the webinar are relevant for individuals and organizations, our time together will focus almost exclusively on their individual application. More info/register.
Host: Leadershape
Presenter: Jeffrey Cufaude, founder, Idea Architects
Wed 11/14 at 1:00 p.m. – The 4 Stages of Event Program Maturity: View Your Organization through the Lens of the Event Evolution Model
The Event Evolution Model defines four levels of evolution for your event practices with practical insights and tips on how to increase your efficiency and ROI. Learn about the 14 centers of performance assessed in the model, how to assess your current state and how to develop a road map to improve. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: Mike Dietrich, Senior Director for Platform Marketing at Cvent
Wed 11/14 at 2 p.m. – 3 Instagram Tips Successful Nonprofits Use to Raise Awareness and Win Supporters (Membership Growth Online Summit)
Learn how some nonprofits are using Instagram to reach the young and socially conscious generation, ensuring their organizations continue to grow well into the future. 1 CAE credit. More information.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Lilach Bullock, Social Media Expert
Wed 11/14 at 4 p.m. – Selecting Nonprofit Software: Technology Comes Last
Nonprofit organizations often struggle to implement new software. But the seeds for successful implementations are planted long before, during the software selection process. Learn why, to be successful with new software at your organization, technology must come last. More info/register.
Host: Community IT
Presenters: Peter Mirus, Kyle Haines, and David Deal, Partners at Build Consulting
Thu 11/15 at 11 a.m. CST – Mapping the Journey to Long-Term Member Engagement (Chicago IL)
It’s no longer acceptable to simply have a web “presence.” A distinctive, original, and personal user experience is a requirement in today’s digital world. See how integrated technology systems can help grow, retain, and strengthen your connection to members, including email marketing and automation; harnessing email data to drive members and potential members to participate in your community; and tracking, analyzing, and maximizing user information to help deliver relevant, timely, personal content. 1 CAE credit. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.
Host: Americaneagle.com and Higher Logic
Thu 11/15 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable in Reston VA
Connect with fellow Component/Chapter Relations Professionals (CRPs) to network and discuss current chapter challenges, such as how to measure and increase the health of chapters; best practices for chapter operations (volunteer tools, processes, etc.); and how to get the right statistics to prevent national and chapter level members from leaving. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Reston VA. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Thu 11/15 at 12 p.m. – The Rise of Digital Darwinism and the Fall of Business as Usual (Alexandria VA Brown Bag)
Find out how to pivot your association/non-profit to success and membership growth during turbulent times. Learn insights and strategies to help empower your organization to make the required transformational membership marketing changes that will deliver incremental growth and financial progress. Explore and discuss membership marketing disruptive trends that are affecting pretty much everything, and possible resolutions. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.
Host: Talisa Thomas-Hall, ACS ALB, The Association Whisperer
Presenter: Melinda Sigal, CEO, The Sales & Marketing Connection
Thu 11/15 at 12 p.m. – Event Personalization Possibilities: Pushing Boundaries to Create the Ultimate Event Experience
In an era where audiences are being marketed to from 100 different directions, creating an engaging, captivating and personal event experience is essential. And this doesn’t mean just on the show floor, but in all the conversations and platforms around the event too. Journey through the event experience and learn what’s really possible in attendee personalization—and the cool tech available to make it easy, professional and personal. More info/register.
Host: Event Tech Tribe
Presenters: Marie-Claire Andrews and representatives from all of the Tribe companies
Thu 11/15 at 1 p.m. – Lessons Learned: Expanding Your Educational Programs with iMIS Integration
Explore the lessons learned by three different organizations—Society of Surgical Oncology, Home Builders Association of Alabama, and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority—when taking their education to the next level. Find out what challenges each organization needed to solve, what they learned during LMS implementation, and what benefits they’ve gained from integrating their AMS and LMS. NiUG members only. More info/register.
Host: NiUG
Presenter: Michelle Brien, VP Marketing and Product Strategy, WBT Systems
Thu 11/15 at 1 p.m. – Getting Your Donor Management Data in Order for 2019
Learn about donor data best practices, including customizing your system to your organization’s needs, cleaning data, defining data standards and coding, and the importance of training staff to enter and extract data efficiently. More info/register.
Host: Idealware
Presenter: Jonathan Poisner, organizational development consultant
Thu 11/15 at 2 p.m. – Gaining Board Approval for Budget for New Technology
Building the business case for a technology change starts early—well before you put a software contract in front of your board. It requires a review of the goals and challenges of your organization as well as the potential benefits a new membership management solution can have for your organization. Learn how to speak confidently and intelligently about why it’s time to invest in new technology. More info/register.
Host: Nimble AMS
Thu 11/15 at 2 p.m. – 5 Things Every Digital Marketing Plan Should Have (Membership Growth Online Summit)
Are your digital marketing activities actually helping you grow your organization? Are you overwhelmed by the pressure to post on social media, pump out more emails, experiment with ads, and still not sure if anything is working? Find out how to create a plan you can actually handle while delivering results. 1 CAE credit. More information.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Amy Jacobus, Digital Marketing Expert
Thu 11/15 at 2:30 p.m. – How to Develop Top-Selling Sponsorship Inventory for Your Next Event
If your sponsorship inventory consists of food and beverage events and branding of the conference bag, sponsors are bored. And, it’s a guarantee the new, most sought-after sponsors will be aligning themselves elsewhere. Learn how to develop fresh, top-selling inventory to attract new sponsors to your next event. More info/register.
Host: The Moery Company
Presenter: JP Moery, President and Founder of The Moery Company
Fri 11/16 at 1 p.m. – Pop-Up Discussion on Chapter Health Resources and Tools
We ask our chapters to define and track their membership value, but how often do we as national organizations do the same for our chapters? Join this pop-up discussion to explore this idea further. We’ll try to answer your questions, share best practices, and converse about the tools and resources needed. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Component Relations & Volunteer Management Section Council
Fri 11/16 at 2 p.m. – How to Use Data to Grow Your Membership in Just 1 Hour a Month (Membership Growth Online Summit)
Learn the tried-and-tested process that any nonprofit can use to increase membership and donations using data-driven marketing. Even if you’ve never measured a single campaign, you’ll be able to implement these strategies. 1 CAE credit. More information.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Jason Jensen, Digital Nonprofit Tech Expert
Mon 11/19 at 2 p.m. – Life, Guilt & the Changing Pace of Work (AWTC Meet-Up)
Many of us struggle with establishing and maintaining work/life balance. Our panel will discuss a variety of challenges in navigating changing priorities brought on by parenthood, managing illness, life changes, and the desire for something new. Panelists will share their own strategies and lessons learned in designing the job that brings you balance. Any woman working within the association community is welcome to attend. As always, we’ll be having a happy hour at a nearby bar after the meet-up. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions
Presenters:
- Alex Mouw, Principal Digital Strategist, Results Direct
- Rhea M. Steele, COO, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
That’s it for now. If you can’t attend a live webinar, go ahead and register if the topic interests you. Most webinar hosts send registrants a link to the recording.
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.
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Creative Commons image: Farm near Duivendrecht, c. 1916, Piet Mondrian, Art Institute of Chicago
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