The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
#ASAE20. I took three days off this week to dedicate my time to ASAE’s Virtual Annual Meeting aka #asae20. Originally, the registration was about $600. I didn’t see anything about discussion or networking opportunities so I said forget it, I can find education on my own. But a few weeks later, registration became free so I registered along with 13,000+ other people.
Education: The sessions I attended were really good. They were pre-recorded with speakers participating in the chat box. Sessions are available on-demand until August 31, so we have less than 19 days as I write this to watch any sessions of interest. Sure, that’s better than in-person events where you don’t have this option, but 30 days would be a nice compromise.
A few other notes… Interview sessions are much more engaging than talking head sessions. Standing speakers (as opposed to sitting) bring more energy.
Chat: The chat stream flew by quickly, too quickly, in many sessions. It was difficult to listen to the speakers and digest the chat simultaneously. I’ll watch some of the sessions I attended because I feel like I missed some good points. I could have ignored the chat but people were sharing useful stories, examples and advice there.
I wish those transcripts were also available on-demand. They’re incredibly valuable. Why not make chat transcripts part of the registration agreement, like permission to use photos for in-person events?
Conversations: I wouldn’t pay for an event like this unless it provided opportunities for conversation with fellow attendees—and no, the chat function does not count. People said the chats in the lounges felt like a list serv. The lack of conversations was the biggest discussion topic in the many Zooms I attended this week.
I’m lucky I got to participate in Zoom meetings throughout the conference because I have a good professional network. I had some fun face time with friends, acquaintances and people I hadn’t met before. But what about all those who don’t have a network like mine? Some people I know made contacts in the chats but I bet they were the exception.
Given ASAE’s quick pivot to virtual, the platform they chose and the number of attendees, discussion rooms weren’t possible this time. But, an option for the future could be tiered registration. Exhibitors were psyched about the numbers, so provide free education for members—or a decent selection of education, for example, keynotes, game changers and basic-level sessions. Paid attendees get access to all sessions plus discussion groups and on-demand viewing.
Everyone wants to have face-to-face conversations with people they know and don’t know. Schedule Zoom-like discussion rooms for post-session deeper dives, birds of a feather meetups (by position, association size, org vs individual memberships, etc.) and discussions by topic (sponsorships, DEI, marketing automation, advocacy, components, etc.).
Have the appropriate number of rooms for paid attendees plus extras for topics you hadn’t considered. Keep them open all the time. If people pay for this and have a disappointing experience, they won’t do it again.
Reserve some rooms for crowdsourced topics. Let sponsors host discussion rooms—an AMS partner hosts a room on membership topics, an LMS partner hosts one on professional development topics, etc.
Exhibits: Many attendees I talked to said they liked the no-pressure aspect of the virtual exhibits. They could browse exhibits without having salespeople “all up in your face.” I bet the 50+ exhibitors loved all the leads they generated. Don’t blow your follow-up!
For a free event, I have no real complaints because, well, it’s free. But I’d expect a lot more from a paid event, particularly chat transcripts, longer on-demand viewing period, and, most importantly, discussion rooms.
GA peeps. A group of organizations, including the National Institute For Lobbying & Ethics, seeks your participation in the Government Affairs Profession Pandemic Survey so they can better understand the implications of COVID-19 on the government affairs profession. Please share this with your GA colleagues.
Virtual fellowships. Looking to attract the next generation of industry leaders to your association? WBT Systems suggests offering a virtual fellowship program and describes the essential elements of such a program using examples from several nonprofit organizations.
DEI policy. Michael Bach, author of Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right, shares excellent advice with Stephanie Vozza at Fast Company about creating and updating a DEI policy. He identifies eight mistakes that would be easy to make without the guidance of an expert. I was going to highlight a few but just about all of them seem mighty important.
Something for your exhibitors. Your supplier members are selling year-round so why not help them out, for a price, year-round. This article by Danica Tormohlen at PCMA Convene is about three virtual market weeks hosted by The Toy Association, but it also discusses the association’s ShopToys365, “a B2B digital marketplace where manufacturers could connect with global toy buyers and suppliers 24/7.”
Quick hits before we get to the list of next week’s free education:
- “One moment, you’re standing still, at the abyss, and the next you’re committed, fully engaged with gravity.” For some reason, the “drop in” concept really resonates with me—and the image sticks. (Seth Godin)
- Why CEOS need to read poetry to lead in the post-COVID world. An easy way to start this habit: subscribe to Poem-a-Day. (Clare Morgan and Massimo Portincaso, Fast Company)
- The Native Lands app tells you what indigenous land you’re standing on. (Adventure Journal)
Good eats—skip down to the list of free webinars if you prefer take-out. If you’re a home cook, check out the weekly In The Kitchen posts on my Grabbing the Gusto blog.
- The highlight of the week, hands down, was summer shrimp scampi with tomatoes, corn, red onion and basil. My god, this was good. The extra butter I added at the end didn’t hurt. I’m making this again the next time I buy NC shrimp.
- If you have jars of herb or spice mixes hanging out without purpose in your cupboard, add them to the flour, cornmeal and/or breadcrumbs the next time you dredge fish (in my case, flounder with Greek seasoning) or some other piece of protein.
- I fell for this pulled pork with pickled peaches recipe but didn’t want to heat up the house by turning on the oven. So I adapted the recipe for the Instant Pot by increasing the liquid and adding most of the ingredients to the pot as the pork cooked. I also added some barbecue sauce to the mix. Had leftovers for lunch today on a bun with the pickled peaches and slaw.
- I had a few poblano peppers ready to harvest so I made a batch of this chouriço mix for a side of stuffed peppers. I kept the Instant Pot out to make the brown rice and cooked the stuffed peppers in the toaster oven. Next week, I’ll tell you what I did with the leftover chouriço mix.
- For veggies this week, we had calabacitas—a Mexican-inspired summer vegetable medley—and the old standby of roasted broccoli, cauliflower and red onion with garlic. Hmm, having that again tonight too.
Here are the educational events scheduled for next week. If you have a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link before Wednesday evening the week before it’s scheduled. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Until next week, “stay awkward, brave and kind.” (Brené Brown)
Fri 8/14 at 1 p.m. – Post-Conference Chat & Networking
Did you miss connecting with people at the #asae20 conference? Do you miss those random meetings in the hall or those spontaneous debriefs after a session? Let’s try to recreate some of that magic as we discuss what we got from this year’s conference. You should meet 3-6 other folks and have some great chats. More info/register.
Host: Lee Gimpel, Better Meetings
*All times are Eastern Daylight Savings Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 8/14 at 1 p.m. – How to Go Virtual (While Still Creating an Engaging Experience)
Learn how to take events online in a way that will deliver high value, create an engaging experience, and preserve the outcomes you were seeking to achieve with your in-person conference. Hear about some major considerations for online engagement. Find out how to design for virtual-first experiences, satisfy the desire to network, and keep your members engaged. We’ll also touch on the tech because we know it’s on your mind. More info/register.
Host: Matchbox Virtual Media
Presenters:
- Ann H. Hoover, Vice President of Programs, Association Health Law Association
- Allen Lloyd, CAE, Executive Director, Montana Society of CPAs
- Arianna Rehak, CEO & Co-Founder, Matchbox Virtual Media
- Heather Varndell, Digital Strategist & Assistant to CSO, Matchbox Virtual Media
Sat 8/15 at 11 a.m. – Practicing Authentic Allyship
Practice authentic allyship—and by allyship, we mean disrupting and dismantling oppressive systems using power, privilege, and sacrifice. Join this discussion to hear perspectives on allyship, its role in creating systemic change, and how allies can make a substantial difference. More info/register.
Host: Living Corporate
Presenters:
- Mary-Frances Winters, Founder and CEO of The Winters Group, Inc
- Gary Cooper, Diversity Product Manager @ Amazon
- Monica Cox, Professor at The Ohio State University
- Nubianna Aben (moderator), Living Corporate
Mon 8/17 at 1 p.m. – Chatting with Agnes & Cecilia
This series of 15-minute videos cover hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. A new episode is posted every Monday by 1 p.m. More info.
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 8/18 at 11 a.m. – Impactful Learning and Moderating
Learn how to prepare your presenters for conferences that help support adult learning theory when interacting virtually. Build your skills around how to leverage pace, tone, and view to create more engaging learning experiences. Practice how to utilize breakout rooms for successful learning experiences. Get a tip sheet to share with your virtual moderators, and to use for running meetings smoother yourself. More info/register.
Host: Christina Rowe, founder, The Collaborative LLC
Tue 8/18 at 12 p.m. – Claim Your Seat at the Table: Why and How to Impact your Association’s Virtual Event Strategy
As virtual and hybrid events become the “new abnormal” for associations, the role of meeting professionals is changing at a rapid pace. Changing more slowly is the perception of the role that planners can—and should—play as events go from in-person to virtual. Some associations have placed virtual events in the marketing department, others have determined they remain with the meeting planners, and many are still navigating how best to address this important transition. Learn why it’s important for association planners to have a “seat at the table” in developing virtual event strategy and get tips for how to claim your seat in your organization. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (fee for non-MPI members).
Host: MPI
Presenters:
- Heidi Longton, CMP, CMM, Founding Member, MPI Association Planners Advisory Board
- Natalie Norris, CMP, CMM, Director, Meetings and More Inc.
- Lindsay Plath, CMP, Sr. Professional Development Coordinator, Illinois Association of School Business Officials
Tue 8/18 at 1 p.m. – How to Implement Successful Networking in Your Online Events & Conferences
While much of the transition to online events has focused on content, we’ll concentrate on delivering the connection-building that’s often as valuable at conferences and events. Learn easy ways to get attendees to meet and network online by doing it yourself with a great group of fellow events/conference pros. More info/register.
Host: Better Meetings
Presenter: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings
Tue 8/18 at 2 p.m. – Applying to the Paycheck Protection Program: What Your Association Needs to Know
Both the House-passed HEROES Act and the current Senate Republican COVID-19 relief bill would expand access to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Nonprofit associations shouldn’t wait to consider their options or prepare PPP applications, even if final legislative details remain uncertain. Learn about your options, find out how to apply for a PPP loan, and get answers to your questions from experts and leading voices in association law, finance, and accounting. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Susan Robertson, CAE, president and CEO, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
- Julia Judish, special counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
- Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, vice president, public policy, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
- Thomas J. Sneeringer, partner, audit services, RSM US LLP
Wed 8/19 at 12 p.m. – Diversity in Association Hiring (CEO Update LIVE)
While some associations are hiring diversity and inclusion officers and conducting board and staff trainings, the community has long struggled with a lack of diversity among its most senior ranks. Hear what’s needed to achieve more diverse leadership and how associations can ensure they are fostering an equitable hiring and advancement environment. More info/register.
Host: CEO Update
Presenters:
- Michelle Mason, CEO, Association Forum
- Julian Ha, Partner, Heidrick & Struggles
- Jim Zaniello, President, Vetted Solutions
- Lynn McNutt (moderator), Editor-in-Chief, CEO Update
Wed 8/19 at 12 p.m. – The Evolution of Your Strategic Plan
Now it the time to revisit, reevaluate, and possibly even reorganize your current strategic plan. Change can be overwhelming but when you have the right tools and right people guiding you along the way, your plan will lead your organization to its destination, whatever the surrounding environment may be. More info/register.
Host: Talley Management
Presenters:
- Gregg Talley FASAE, CAE, President & CEO of TMG
- Joe Sapp, MBA, CAE, COO of TMG
- Nicanor Sabula, Managing Director of AFAMCO Management, Africa
- Tim Bower, CAE, Director of TMG Association Solutions Consulting
Wed 8/19 at 12 p.m. – Digital Advertising During a Global Crisis
See examples of ad campaigns that exceeded their goals during COVID-19 and explore why, learn about new advertising opportunities you can take advantage of, and get tips on how to execute your ad operations smarter from home. More info/register.
Host: Beaconfire Red
Wed 8/19 at 1 p.m. – Facilit8me: Managing Implicit Bias in Facilitation Work
Facilitators in particular need to be aware of their own bias, how it impacts the activities they select, what perspectives they center and how their “neutrality” can lead to biased products and outcomes. Increasing a facilitators awareness of implicit bias and its impact will defuse stereotyping and create a more equitable facilitated experience. More info/register.
Host: Event Garde
Presenters: Krista Rowe and Lindsay Gross, Event Garde
Wed 8/19 at 1 p.m. – #ExpoChat on Twitter
ExpoChat is a Twitter-based conversation on topics related to the trade show industry. More info.
Wed 8/19 at 2:30 p.m. – Earning Your Membership: Technology, Learning, and Accolades
Evolving our use of technology to engage our members for a “21st Century membership experience.” Sigma Alpha Epsilon will share their experience with the development of online learning for their members, starting at the turn of the century and culminating in the newest program, Accolades, which incentivizes members to continuously earn their membership. More info/register.
Host: North American Interfraternity Conference
Presenters:
- James Irwin, Director of Educational Programs for Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Michelle Brien, Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy at WBT Systems
Thu 8/20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Community Thrive! Virtual Summit 2020
Online communities have become critical to the way organizations deliver value and bring people together when face-to-face interactions are extremely limited. Now is the time for association and community leaders to think about the long-term strategy for digital engagement far beyond the face of a global pandemic for a sustainable future. This inaugural virtual conference brings together thought leaders in the community and association space to give you the information and resources you need to create rock solid digital engagement strategies for online communities that scale. More info/register.
Host: Community by Association
Thu 8/20 at 11 a.m. – Impactful Learning and Moderating
Learn how to prepare your presenters for conferences that help support adult learning theory when interacting virtually. Build your skills around how to leverage pace, tone, and view to create more engaging learning experiences. Practice how to utilize breakout rooms for successful learning experiences. Get a tip sheet to share with your virtual moderators, and to use for running meetings smoother yourself. More info/register.
Host: Christina Rowe, founder, The Collaborative LLC
Thu 8/20 at 1 p.m. – Overcoming Advocate Fatigue: Practical Tips for Boosting Engagement
Learn how organizations like yours are making the most of their advocates’ participation to build organizational value while growing subsets of ambassadors to champion their causes. Hear tips and best practices for recruiting advocates, maintaining momentum, and boosting engagement for your cause, helping you avoid advocate fatigue and disengagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Advisory Council
Presenters:
- David Lusk (moderator), Founder, Key Advocacy
- Kristen Prather, State Director, Grassroots Programs, Credit Union National Association
- Kristin St. John, Deputy Director, National Grassroots Advocacy, National Association of Community Health Centers
- Sherry Stanley Whitworth, Managing Director, FiscalNote
Thu 8/20 at 1:30 p.m. – Demonstrating Leadership Resilience: A CEO Dialogue
It has been more than four months since many associations went full-time remote. In this webcast, leaders representing different aspects of the association community will describe how they have personally demonstrated resilience over the past few months through managing their staff teams, guiding their organizational strategy, and planning for the upcoming year-end and start of 2021. In conversation among peers, explore strategies that you can use now and as you plan for next year. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Annette Gregg, senior vice president of experience, Meeting Professionals International
- Charlie Jones, FASAE, CAE, senior vice president of global brand management, Futures Industry Association
- Sharon Newport, CAE, executive director, Door Security and Safety Foundation; chief operating officer, DHI – Door Security and Safety Professionals
- Richard Yep, FASAE, CAE, chief executive officer, American Counseling Association
- Aaron Wolowiec (moderator), CAE, CMP, CTF/MT, president and CEO, Event Garde
Thu 8/20 at 2 p.m. – Behind the Scenes – The Making of Non Dues-a-Palooza Virtual Bazaar
How do you take an event, specifically crafted to be high-impact, high-energy, high-touch AND in person into the virtual world, without losing its big energy and zest? Learn what it took to pull off a successful virtual event, and the lessons learned along the way. Find out how the Virtual Bazaar was born including the planning process from start to finish, decision points along the way and the addition of handcrafted touches. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Matrix Group
Presenters:
- Teri Carden, Co-Founder of 100Reviews and creator of the Non Dues-a-Palooza event
- Joanna Pineda, CEO of Matrix Group, makers of the BeSpeake Virtual Meeting Platform
Thu 8/20 at 2 p.m. – Create Value for Sponsors and Exhibitors at your Virtual Conference
Please join us for a lively discussion on how to create value for Sponsors and Exhibitors for your Virtual Gala, Conference, or Annual meeting. More info/register.
Host: DC-Metro Association-Nonprofit Tech Network
Presenter: Justin Watson from Association Virtual Conferences
Fri 8/21 at 11:55 a.m. – Meet Other Association Pros @ Virtual Networking Lunch
Want to get new ideas for your association? Looking for a job? Have a great program to share? Just want to actually meet some new people in the association field? Join us for a fast, fun, and productive networking lunch (or breakfast or brunch, depending on your time zone). It’s networking that’s natural, not awkward. We’ll be using a number of online engagement techniques that you can adapt, copy and steal for your own events. More info/register.
Host: Better Meetings
Presenter: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings
Fri 8/21 at 12:30 p.m. – The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever: How to Avoid the Most Common Contracting Mistakes
Hear about the most common contracting mistakes they’ve seen while working with groups and hotels. You may be surprised by lots of little things that people do without knowing they’re wrong, even after being in the industry for years. More info/register.
Host: Legalease with the Ladies
Presenters:
- Barbara Dunn, Partner @Barnes & Thornburg LLP
- Lisa Sommer Devlin, Principal @Devlin Law Firm, P.C.
- Sean Whalin, Co-Founder & CEO @HopSkip
Fri 8/21 at 1 p.m. – How to Go Virtual (While Still Creating an Engaging Experience)
Learn how to take events online in a way that will deliver high value, create an engaging experience, and preserve the outcomes you were seeking to achieve with your in-person conference. Hear about some major considerations for online engagement. Find out how to design for virtual-first experiences, satisfy the desire to network, and keep your members engaged. We’ll also touch on the tech because we know it’s on your mind. More info/register.
Host: Matchbox Virtual Media
Presenters:
- Ann H. Hoover, Vice President of Programs, Association Health Law Association
- Allen Lloyd, CAE, Executive Director, Montana Society of CPAs
- Arianna Rehak, CEO & Co-Founder, Matchbox Virtual Media
- Heather Varndell, Digital Strategist & Assistant to CSO, Matchbox Virtual Media
Mon 8/24 (times not listed yet) – Face-to-Face to Virtual…What Do I Do?: The Sequel
You asked for more demos so we’ve established a whole new day for virtual event demos with additional vendors. This day is designed to answer your questions…What platforms are out there? What features should I be looking for? Where are the pitfalls? More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Tue 8/25 at 12:30 p.m. – Meetings of Membership Minds
These impromptu, casual discussions about membership concepts, issues, and challenges are conducted live online and opened to other membership professionals to comment and offer other insights. More info/register.
Host: The Business of Membership
Presenters: Dan Ratner and Scott Oser
Wed 8/26 at 1:30 p.m. – The Future of Technology for Nonprofits and Associations
Learn technology innovation applicable to nonprofits and associations and gain a perspective on what kinds of technological innovations of specific interest may be arriving and their relevance to associations and other nonprofits. Spark your imagination on how organizations’ operations might be dramatically altered by advances in technology. More info/register.
Host: Fíonta
Presenter: Dr. Lisa Rau, Fíonta co-founder
Thu 8/27 at 2 p.m. – Replacing the Timecard Mentality: Are You Sure You’re Cultivating Trust Among Your Staff?
Do you trust your staff? Does your staff trust you? Why is trust important and how can you be sure that you have it? If you’ve lost it, can you get it back? Is it more important to proactively cultivate and work to sustain trust on your teams during dynamic and turbulent times? Find out more about the actions you can take to nurture the outcomes that benefit a team. More info/register.
Host: Tecker International
Presenters:
- KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth, and senior consultant, Tecker International, LLC
- Glenn Tecker, founder, Tecker International
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 before Wednesday evening.
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