How often do you find yourself doing something that’s at odds with what’s best for you? Something you do to check out and ignore what the best truest part of you would do.
Maybe you’re procrastinating. Maybe you’re resisting something difficult. Maybe you’re lazy.
What’s numbing you from your guidance system?
That’s not my line – I heard it this morning on a podcast. But it made me think about the things we do to avoid listening to our guidance system, our intuition, our best selves.
We rationalize some of these activities, like checking email or social media. But often they’re bad habits – perfectly fine activities take to an excessive level – like watching TV, reading fluff, playing games (like kakuro or spider solitaire, ahem), drinking, or eating.
This one life is all we’ve got. Well, that’s what the data shows. It’s time to listen to our guidance systems and pay better attention to the decisions we make in the present moment so they’re aligned with what our best true selves want. And that’s my woo-woo for today!
Now for something completely different – some good reads.
Billhighway shares strategies for getting your chapters to share their data and for eliminating the pervasive and toxic ‘us vs. them’ syndrome.
Does your association’s IT staff have the skillset to protect your network and data against increasing cybersecurity threats? DelCor explains what they need to know and provides some solutions in case they don’t.
SEO isn’t as formidable as most people think. In fact, some of it is downright simple and strangely satisfying – like internal content linking. Search Engine Journal tells you everything you need to know.
Check out these five ideas from Fast Company for “soft projects” to wrap up each workday. I can vouch for a few of them, for example, making my schedule for the upcoming week is something I look forward to every Friday.
Here’s this week’s list of free webinars and learning events. If your organization has a webinar scheduled in the next few weeks, please send me the link. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Mon 3/13 at 11 a.m.* (repeats Mon 9 p.m., Tue 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.) – The 7 Deadly Sins of Productivity: The Hidden Habits Undermining Your Performance (and How to Change Them)
Learn why your massive to-do list is holding you back—plus a better way to manage your tasks, a three-step process to stop working on the weekends, your most powerful productivity weapon, 3 strategies to create a productive and peaceful morning routine that puts you in control of your entire day, and what the latest research tells us about multitasking. More info/register.
Host/Presenter: Michael Hyatt, author and former CEO & chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers
*All times are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 3/14 at 11:30 a.m. – Marketing Automation (Tyson’s Corner VA)
Join the first session of #CAEvolve with a Lunch & Learn about membership development, use of technology, and marketing automation. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Tyson’s Corner, VA. More info/register.
Host: Benel Solutions
Presenter: David Jovel, director of integrations, Real Magnet
3/14 Tue at 12 p.m. – Kickstarting Native Content: Selling, Staffing and Delivery (Alexandria, VA)
As the marketing landscape evolves, publishers have an opportunity to capture marketers’ focus on brand content. But developing a native content capability is more than just hiring a freelance writer. Learn how association publishers can diversify their revenue through native content. Hear about tangible steps for nascent native operations to get started and existing native operations to scale. More info/register.
Host: Association Media & Publishing
Presenters: Krystle Kopacz and Andrew Hanelly, founders, Revmade
(Note: I’m making an exception to my “it has to be free” rule because this one looks so enticing. Native or sponsored content has much more revenue potential than online advertisements.)
Tue 3/14 at 1 p.m. – 2017: A Year of Disruption
Gain a better understanding of the economic environment and how structural changes will have an impact in 2017 and beyond. Explore the internal and external forces that will continue to pressure meeting design, content dissemination and the need to understand that we no longer have attendees, but rather, participants in meetings. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Presenter: Michael Dominquez, chief sales officer, MGM Resorts International
Tue 3/14 at 2 p.m. – Member R&R: Better Retention and Recruitment for Your Association (Association Chat)
Learn how to boost member recruitment and retention. Watch/participate live or view the recording.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth
Guest: J.P. Moery, president and founder, The Moery Company
Tue 3/14 at 2 p.m. – The 8 Step Formula for Keeping Members Forever
A thriving membership program is intentionally designed from end-to-end. Learn what it takes to get members to eagerly join, engage, and renew, including simple tactics to engage members in the 8 key stages of membership, 3 questions that reveal what your members really want, and how to keep excitement alive long after a member joins. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Joy Duling, founder, MemberMagnetism.com
Tue 3/14 at 5:30 p.m. – ASAE Healthcare Community/American Association’s Day Happy Hour (Washington DC)
Any individual who works for a healthcare association, serves healthcare association clients, or would like to work within the healthcare association community is invited to this pay-as-you-go happy hour along with those ASAE members who are in D.C. for American Associations Day–the legislative fly-in that begins Wednesday, March 15.
Location: Black Finn (back area), 1620 I Street NW, Washington, DC
Organizer: ASAE Healthcare Community Committee
Wed 3/15 at 8:30 a.m. – Association Coffee Talk: One Site or Many? Making Sense of Micro-Sites (Reston VA)
What factors should you consider when weighing the benefits of a multi-site strategy? Should event and publication websites always remain separate or are there compelling reasons to incorporate micro-sites into your main website? We’ll discuss the role that audience, branding, search-ability, cross-promotion, and systems integration (among others) play in making that decision. 1 CAE credit. Register.
Host: Results Direct
Wed 3/15 at 10 a.m. (repeats at 2 p.m.) – Make a Move to Improve: How to Choose the Right AMS Partner
Learn what you need to know about the AMS selection and implementation process, including building consensus from staff and leaders, establishing a realistic budget, gathering requirements and developing an RFP, getting to a short list of vendors, setting up demos, what to expect from the implementation, data conversion, and considering integration with third party systems. More info/register.
Host: ACGI Software
Wed 3/15 at 12 p.m. – Get Your Dues Process Under Control: Small Steps Toward Solving a Big Chapter Challenge
If your chapter dues process takes too long, costs too much money, or is a nightmare to manage, this webinar is for you. Find out what steps you can take to improve your situation and take away a template of questions to point you in the right direction. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Wed 3/15 at 1 p.m. – The ABCs of Event ROI
With increased scrutiny on budgets and spend, many event planners face the challenge of growing, or even just preserving, their event budgets year over year. Learn how to tell your stories of event success in ways that stakeholders simply can’t ignore. Find out how to capture the metrics that matter most, and prove the impact of your events throughout the organization. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: Kevin Yanushefski, product marketing manager, Cvent
Wed 3/15 at 2 p.m. – Am I a Component Relations Professional?
If you work in your association’s membership department, oversee a group of committees, or manage your organization’s various chapters, do you ever wonder if you are a Component Relations Professional (CRP)? Find out what the term CRP really means and explore how the hard and soft skills you’ve gained in this area give you the versatility you need to advance your career from CRP to the C-suite. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Component Relations Section Council
Presenters:
- Lowell Aplebaum, CAE, CEO, Next Connextion
- Jonathan Esslinger, CAE, director of codes and standards and technical advancement, American Society of Civil Engineers
- Bryan Harrison, director of networks, Specialty Equipment Market Association
- Leslie Whittet, CAE, vice president of chapter operations, ACG Global
Wed 3/15 at 2 p.m. – Trade Show 2022: Expo Trends to Exploit for a Prosperous Future
Event expectations are rising fast, yet trade show organizers are scrambling to design experiences attendees desire most. Explore big data, content marketing, personalization, digital amplification, high-buzz pavilions and exhibitor/sponsor activation. With tales of what works and what doesn’t, find out how to produce more prosperous shows over the next five years and beyond. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Wed 3/15 at 3 p.m. – HighRoad U Office Hours
There’s so much going on in associations today around digital that we are offering a weekly 1-hour office hour program with an expert. Bring your specific challenges, questions or current work to get expert feedback and guidance. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solution
Wed 3/15 at 4 p.m. – Security Readiness
Learn how to prepare your nonprofit for the cybersecurity threats of today, and for whatever the hackers will think of next. This webinar will address nonprofit security at all levels, from infrastructure to practices and personnel training, and what your organization can be doing to stay secure in this age of cyber insecurity. More info/register.
Host: Community IT Innovators
Wed & Thu 3/15-3/16 – ASAE American Associations Day (Capitol Hill, Washington DC)
American Associations Day is the only legislative fly-in where association professionals can connect with Congressional offices and share stories on important association issues, like the DOL overtime rule, tax reform, and the importance of federal employee attendance at association meetings. The event is open to any association executive, staff member, or leadership volunteer who’s passionate about association issues and wants to make a difference, as well as meet and network with fellow advocates from across the country. More info/register.
Thu 3/16 at 11 a.m. – Know Your Sponsorship to Succeed
Too often, event organizers apply a spray-and-pray strategy to find sponsors. They neglect the importance of having an in-depth knowledge about what their potential sponsors are looking for and what drives them to get involved in an event, or worse, what turns them off. Learn how to discover what matters for your sponsors, adapt your proposals to their needs, and become a reliable partner that seeks to establish a solid win-win situation. More info/register.
Host: eTouches
Presenter: Peter Poehle, CEO, SponsorMyEvent
Thu 3/16 at 2 p.m. – The Tech Effect: Discover the Simple Solution that 1000s of Organizations Are Using to Grow Membership in Today’s World
Learn about The Tech Effect, the hidden threat that makes it harder to grow membership. Hear the story of one membership manager’s challenges, and ultimate triumph—a story that’s inspired thousands to grow their memberships faster than ever. Get five proven strategies to address The Tech Effect and attract new members right away. More info/register.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenters:
- Donald Cowper, membership growth specialist, Wild Apricot
- Terry Ibele, content manager, Wild Apricot
Thu 3/16 at 2 p.m. – Managing Difficult Volunteer Transitions
What do you do when it’s time to ask a volunteer to leave your organization? Get the tools you need to address challenges around difficult volunteers, volunteers aging in place, and suggestions to minimize these situations in the future. Find out how to determine when a volunteer should be terminated, how to make it easier on you, other volunteers, and staff, and the role that risk management plays in these decisions. More info/register.
Host: VolunteerMatch
Presenter: Jennifer Bennett, senior manager of education & training, VolunteerMatch
Thu 3/16 at 3 p.m. – Preparing and Positioning Your Education Program for the Future
The NAIOP education team has just gone through an education strategy process to identify gaps and overlaps in their programming, as well as assess opportunities and innovative approaches for the future. Learn about collecting the data needed to begin an education strategy process, engaging volunteers and industry stakeholders, conducting focus group sessions, and distilling the results for implementation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Barb Parnarouskis, vice president for education, NAIOP
- Jon Hockman, FASAE, principal, d3 Group
Fri 3/17 at 11:30 a.m. – AENC CEO Think Tank (Raleigh NC)
Association CEO’s and executive directors are invited to the AENC CEO luncheon with a discussion moderated by AENC Board President, Joe Stewart, and focused on topics that are important to you. 1 CAE credit. Location: Raleigh, NC. More info/register.
Fri 3/17 at 12 p.m. – Building Digital Ecosystems that Deliver ROI (Inbound Lunch Bunch)
Inbound marketing is so new to the association market that it might make you feel like you’re back in elementary school where everything is new. So, we’re taking some of the standards of elementary school—keeping it simple, making it fun and creating a super positive learning environment where the only dumb question about inbound marketing and lead generation is the one you don’t ask. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solution
Save the date: Thu 3/23 from 12 to 4 p.m. – Association Palooza V: How Digital Will Transform Your Association (Washington DC)
Association Palooza is bringing leading DC-area association executives back to the table for provocative conversations about digital transformation. Association executives attend for free. Enjoy lunch, learning, networking—and earn CAE credits. Location: Washington, DC. Register.
Hosts: DelCor, Results Direct, Expo Logic, and HighRoad Solution
Presenters: Speakers and experts from the association community
That’s it for this week. 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 professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email or Twitter.
Creative Commons licensed image by Paper Beard.
Association Brain Food 