Reid All About it
MAY 9, 2025
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community Association Brain Food wont be in your inbox next Friday (May 16) because next week Im in New Mexico and Texas for a family hiking vacation. Youll get the next edition on Friday , May 23. In the meantime, brace yourself, its a long one today. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
Spark Consulting
FEBRUARY 19, 2025
I think we’re all familiar with the story of Truck Stuck by Sallie Wolfe. It’s a charming children’s book in which the kids are the heroes, figuring out a creative solution to get the truck unstuck. Where do ideas come from in your organization? Or, to be more precise, who’s ALLOWED to have an idea? In far too many associations, the answer is definitely not “anyone!
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Mary Byers
MAY 12, 2025
Is it fair to say were living in uncertain times? I definitely think it is. And when times are uncertain, I believe the best advice is: Follow Your North Star. The North Star (also known as Polaris if youre a trivia junkie), is a star located in the Northern Hemisphere that is almost directly aligned with Earths rotational axis. This makes it appear stationary in the sky while other stars appear to rotate around it.
Association Analytics
JANUARY 7, 2025
It remains all too common for associations to ignore vital data points as they strategize for the future. The inertia of decades of existence often precludes a data-informed state, instead relying on anecdote, trusting in the gut feeling of longtime employees or volunteers, and the way things have always been done. This flies in the face of modern organizational thinking, and associations looking to be proactive – or facing the modern challenges of the industry – would be advised to
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Is your current AMS is creating more problems than it solves? You can lead the change. This eBook shares a customizable letter designed to help you clearly communicate your organization’s challenges, highlight the benefits of a modern system, and make a strong case for exploring a new AMS. Whether it’s outdated reporting, clunky workflows, or member frustration, this resource will help you start the conversation with clarity and position yourself as the advocate your organization needs.
Association Adviser
JANUARY 14, 2025
As associations navigate an era defined by shifting member expectations, rapid technological disruption, and an unpredictable economic landscape, one truth stands out: the strength of an organization lies in its people. Workforce initiatives, once considered ancillary, have emerged as mission-critical strategies for associations striving to maintain relevance and impact.
Association Universe brings together the best content for association members and organizers from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
The Association 100
JANUARY 12, 2025
On The A100 Podcast , Phil Alongi of Alongi Media discusses how associations can raise the bar on event production without breaking the budget. Alongi introduces their groundbreaking 4K mobile production unit a control room on wheels that cuts costs, reduces carbon footprints and delivers cinematic-quality content. We also explore how storytelling, aligned with business goals, can transform annual events into engaging experiences for attendees and virtual audiences.
NXUnite
FEBRUARY 4, 2025
Sustainable nonprofits have diverse revenue streams, from donations to grants to sales. However, while nonprofits that sell products and services can make more than enough revenue to sustain themselves, undertaking commercial affairs comes with several considerations. Nonprofits that rely heavily on product or service sales, like thrift stores , museums, and educational institutions, can experience the benefits of running a business and maintaining nonprofit status.
AvidXchange: Association Management
APRIL 22, 2025
The Community Association Management (CAM) industry has evolved rapidly in recent decades. Today, approximately 369,000 community associations serve 77.1 million residents, according to Foundation for Community Association Research a significant increase from just 10,000 associations and 2.1 million residents in 1970. With this growth, however, comes new challenges.
Associations Now
APRIL 11, 2025
Leaders who listen earn more trust from those around them. But being good at that isnt as easy as it seems. It seems like news from the no-duh files: People trust leaders who listen to them. According to a survey released last fall by the consulting firm Zenger Folkman, listening and trust are highly correlated in the workplace : Leaders considered poor listeners wallowed in the 15th percentile in trust, while those excelling at it rocketed to the 86th percentile.
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Unlock the Power of Historical Data A Data Revolution: Why Your AMS/CRM Needs a Native Data Warehouse Today’s association leaders need more than real-time snapshots—they need the full story. MemberSuite: A Data Revolution reveals how a native data warehouse transforms your AMS into a strategic decision-making engine. In this free eBook, you’ll discover: The difference between a database and a data warehouse—and why it matters How to gain historical visibility into membership, engagement, events,
The Big Picture
MAY 29, 2025
Sometimes, the data is so overwhelming that little commentary is needed. From SPIVA , here is the data on large-cap fund performance in the United States, showing the percentage of all large-cap funds that over and underperformed the S&P 500 over various time frames: 1 Year: 65.24% of funds underperformed the S&P 500; 34.76% outperformed the S&P 500 3 Years: 84.96% underperformed; 15.04% outperformed 5 Years: 76.26% underperformed; 23.74% outperformed 10 Years: 84.34% underperformed;
Reid All About it
FEBRUARY 7, 2025
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls. Friedrich Nietzsche Social events. Heres a problem your association can solve. Everyone wants to attend parties, but no one wants to throw them. Ellen Cushing at The Atlantic says Americans need to party more.
Spark Consulting
JUNE 11, 2025
Earlier this week, Associations Now profiled a recent report from McKinley Advisors, Business Model Innovation , in which they identify five innovation elements that can provide the revenue that fuels your association’s ability to achieve your mission: Value – rethink your value proposition Revenue – pursue new pricing strategies Community – provide opportunities for relationship-building, both online and in-person Reach – expand your thinking beyond just your memb
NetForum
APRIL 15, 2025
Volunteers are the backbone of any successful association, providing essential support, fresh perspectives, and a strong sense of community. However, recruiting and retaining dedicated volunteers requires more than just an open invitationit demands a well-crafted strategy that meets the evolving needs and expectations of todays members. National Volunteer Appreciation Month is the perfect time to […] How to help association chapters find the next generation of volunteers appeared first on
Speaker: Gareth Webb & Phil Selley, Founding Partners at Intouch Business
For many nonprofit organizations and NGOs, managing grants and monitoring projects with spreadsheets and manual processes feels familiar—but is it holding your organization back? As funding requirements become more complex and stakeholder expectations for transparency grow, relying on outdated methods can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and compliance risks.
Association Analytics
JANUARY 21, 2025
Its no secret – artificial intelligence is all the rage in the association industry. Every conference and trade show has at least a handful of sessions on the subject, and most any technology solution provider is working to incorporate some level of generative machine learning into their existing platforms, Those that havent done it already, at any rate.
Association Adviser
MAY 21, 2025
From refining strategy to reimagining leadership and member engagement, todays association leaders are tackling complex challengesand theyre finding insight and inspiration in the right books. We asked ten association executives and thought leaderseach of whom appeared on the Association Adviser podcastto share one book thats shaped their leadership, problem-solving, and change-driven approach.
Wild Apricot
MARCH 10, 2025
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month! Are you looking for thoughtful yet affordable ways to thank your volunteers? Check out our top 33 volunteer gift ideas that show appreciation for every occasion.
The Association 100
JANUARY 26, 2025
In this Association Insights video , I explore how associations can strategically use hyperlocal media to amplify their PR efforts. Hyperlocal outlets are perfect for targeting specific member demographics or regional audiences, especially when promoting events, advancing advocacy or sharing member success stories. For instance, when hosting an event in a particular city, engaging local media can help attract the communitys attention.
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Struggling to generate revenue beyond membership dues? You're not alone. Our free guide, The Ultimate Guide to Non-Dues Revenue for Associations , offers practical strategies to help your organization boost financial health. Inside, you'll explore creative ways to generate income, including: Educational offerings tailored to your audience Event-based revenue opportunities Job boards that drive engagement and income Corporate sponsorship ideas A checklist to evaluate and strengthen your current a
NXUnite
APRIL 8, 2025
While the process can be tedious, compiling nonprofit financial statements allows your organization to evaluate its financial standing and stay accountable to stakeholders. These documents help you use resources effectively to fulfill your nonprofits mission. One of the main financial statements nonprofits develop is a nonprofit balance sheet. To get you up to speed, well review the basics of this report, why its important, and how to interpret it so your organization can maximize this data.
Candid
MARCH 10, 2025
Nonprofit organizations often collaborate with one another to share resources, seek grants, and scale public service delivery. At the same time, nonprofits also compete directly against one anotherfor attention, for funding, for clientsalthough this competition rarely gets acknowledged. As a scholar of nonprofit management and public service, Ive explored, among other things, to what extent the element of competition affects nonprofit messaging in an online fundraising competition, and what type
Associations Now
MAY 13, 2025
The report from Fuse, JDC Events, and Bear Analytics finds events professionals looking beyond conference mainstays in favor of deeper engagement. Meeting attendees are looking to engage and build communities with peers in ways that may prompt associations to rethink how they structure their events portfolio, according to a new report. Future-Ready Events: A Blueprint for Connection, Growth, and Innovation , was produced by Fuse, JDC Events, and Bear Analytics, and released May 6.
The Big Picture
JUNE 3, 2025
I’m on the road visiting our new office in Chicago and then heading to meet clients in San Francisco. However, after hearing some misinformation on TV from the usual suspects, I felt compelled to remind people of some key facts about the US debt and deficits. For a period of ~20 years, beginning after the September 11th attack, accelerating after the GFC, and running up until the 2022 rate hikes, the United States enjoyed incredibly low interest rates.
Speaker: Dave Sackett
Traditional budgeting and forecasting methods can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty. To stay ahead, finance leaders must leverage a future-forward approach—one that leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and continuous planning to drive smarter financial decisions.
Reid All About it
JANUARY 17, 2025
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community Awards program. If youre thinking about creating an awards program at your associationor want to see if youre on the right track with an existing programthe folks at OpenWater have your back. Their 4-step process for planning and managing an awards program will help you map out a plan for success.
Spark Consulting
MAY 21, 2025
When I say “brand,” what do you think of? Your colors, logo, font, use of images? Your style guide (hopefully your association has one)? Nope. Those things are your brand IMAGE, but they aren’t your brand. Your brand is an idea…a feeling…an experience. To quote David Ogilvy : brand is “the intangible sum of a product’s attributes: its name, packaging, and price, its history, its reputation, and the way it’s advertised.” Think about that: inta
Bruce Rosenthal Associates
MAY 26, 2025
Corporate sponsors often tell me they feel like they are taken for granted by associations. But, when I check in with the associations staff, they say, Really? We LOVE our sponsors! This disconnect often comes down to communications and engagement. Here are a few common frustrations I hear from sponsors: The association doesnt make a point of understanding the companys business objectives and marketing goals The association changed the companys booth location and didnt inform the company in adva
MemberClicks
JANUARY 22, 2025
For associations and nonprofits, external collaborations are a powerful way to achieve goals , expand reach, and create lasting impact. Two common strategies for collaboration are partnerships and sponsorships. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes and offer different benefits. Understanding the differences between partnerships and sponsorships is crucial to making informed decisions that align with your organizations goals.
Speaker: Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand
Do you really know your donors? Not just what they give, but who they are? 👥 In this interactive session, we’ll break down how nonprofits can use behavioral indicators (affinity, recency, frequency, and monetary value) to build prospecting segments that go beyond wealth screening and actually align with donor identity. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to move beyond basic demographics and cultivate supporters based on how they already engage with you!
Association Adviser
JANUARY 21, 2025
Membership is the cornerstone of associations, yet the traditional approaches to attracting and retaining members are no longer enough. With competition from for-profits, online networks, and tech-driven platforms, associations must adopt a more innovative and data-driven approach to remain relevant.
Wild Apricot
JANUARY 31, 2025
Looking to secure donations from companies but don't know where to start? We'll guide you through requesting donations and building strong relationships with companies.
The Association 100
JANUARY 26, 2025
On The A100 Podcast , our January media series continues with Alysia Wiebe, news producer at ABC30 in Fresno, California. With over a decade of experience, Wiebe offers a behind-the-scenes look at local news, sharing how her team crafts impactful stories that resonate with their community. She discusses the evolving landscape of local journalism, the role of digital platforms and what makes a pitch stand out to producers.
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