The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
This edition of Association Brain Food covers two weeks because I’m not publishing next week while I’m on vacation. I’ll see you back here on Friday, August 20.
Chapter benchmarking survey. Billhighway, Mariner Management and Whorton Marketing & Research are conducting The State of Chapters 2021 Benchmarking Survey. This time, they’re running two surveys—one for association CEOs and one for membership/component (chapter) relations professionals (CRPs). Please respond by Friday, August 20. If you have questions, contact Kevin Whorton.
Wondering why you should take the time to participate?
- The survey questions may prompt you to investigate and/or address issues.
- The benchmarking data will help you compare your chapters and association with others, assess how you’re doing in various categories and identify where you need to improve (or brag).
- The data may support a business case for additional resources for chapter programs.
- Be a good community citizen. Your fellow CRPs and CEOs will appreciate your contribution to the benchmarking data.
Member advisory groups. Does your association want to understand the needs and interests of different segments of your membership and market? Do your members seek connections and conversations with their peers, and low-commitment ways to contribute their expertise? The answer is member advisory groups, says WBT Systems.
AMS reports. You can’t expect your reports and dashboards to prompt action all by themselves, says MemberSuite. “Reports are just one piece, but an essential piece, of a strategic framework for decision-making and action.” First you must identify goals and KPIs, as well as cultivate an organizational culture of data transparency and trust.
Communication app overload. Remember how excited you were when first introduced to Slack or Asana? This is going to make life so easy! And then the notifications, emails, messages, pings, dings and bings kept coming. Achurch Consulting explains how to thoughtfully manage multiple communication and collaboration platforms. Hang tight, help is on the way.
Generational stress. Stress affects each generation differently, says Joseph Coughlin. Life experience, lifestyle habits and career stage have much to do with how you feel about and respond to what’s going on around you. The effects of the pandemic will have an impact on younger generations, like wars and depressions had on older ones. Is member wellbeing something your association thinks about?
Return to the office or not. Here’s a reason for employers, managers and employees to stress out. At Fast Company, CEO Dave Dinesen says, “You can’t ignore the fact your employees may feel differently than you, or even each other, about the future of work.” Some people want to return to the office, some don’t. You can’t please everyone, so what do you do?
The great resignation. Kim Hart at Axios says 26% of workers plan to look for a job at a different company once the pandemic has subsided. I’ve seen several stories about this lately. Does your association have a plan for keeping close ties with members who are in transition? How do you plan to engage more seasoned professionals who are entering your industry?
Quick hits
- What will you have to say on December 31, 2029 about your association? Looking back from the last day of the decade: a thought experiment for association decision-makers. (Jeff De Cagna, Foresight First)
- Do you have a lack or an abundance mindset about time? We should all be time millionaires. (Laura Vanderkam)
- Microadventures: how to find a sense of awe and discover a miraculous world right outside your door. (Emily Pennington, New York Times)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free webinars if you prefer takeout. If you’re a home cook, check out the irregularly published In The Kitchen posts on my Grabbing the Gusto blog.
- I made one of my favorite skillet dinners last weekend: a southwestern-spiced mix of ground chorizo, black beans, sweet potatoes, corn, spinach, onion, peppers, cheese, cilantro and more. On the side, a Mexican-inspired corn casserole and calabacitas—a summer squash dish.
- I took a superfast spicy sweet chicken recipe and used it for baked black sea bass fillets—tasty. On the side, a green cabbage sauté with bacon, red onion, red bell, poblano, jalapeno and carrot.
- The next night, a simple dish of swordfish baked with lemon juice, butter, garlic powder and Aleppo pepper flakes—and leftover cabbage.
Here are the educational events scheduled for the next few weeks. 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 8/6 at 12 p.m.* – AI Now for Associations: Strategy: Where Do I Start?
Learn the practical steps to create a technology strategy that aligns with your association’s mission and goals, and get a roadmap to take immediate action in support of your association. More info/register.
Host: AI Now for Associations
*All times are Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 8/6 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 8/6 at 12 p.m. – Meetings Outlook: Future Predictions for the Business of Meetings
Deep dive into MPI’s most recent Meetings Outlook research, published quarterly in The Meeting Professional magazine. Hear the forecast for events in the coming year, including a budget, attendance, and business conditions; trends that matter and how these trends affect you and the future of your meetings. 1 CMP credit. More info/register – possible fee for MPI non-members.
Host: MPI
Presenter: Jessie States, CMP, CMM, Director, MPI Academy, Meeting Professionals International
Fri 8/6 at 4 p.m. – Foresight as a Leadership Competency, Part 1
Leaders are better prepared for an uncertain future when they practice foresight, the practice of continually scanning for developing trends and considering how they will impact your organization’s mission and operations. This forward-looking mindset transitions you from a reactive position to one that is proactive and transformational. Find out how to enrich your planning and operations through the integration of foresight into your organization. In Part 1, learn the basic elements of foresight and why it is important for leaders to practice foresight. More info/register – must join first before registering.
Host: Fridays@4
Presenters:
- Kristine Metter, MS, CAE, founder, Crystal Lake Partners
- Sue Pine, FASAE, CAE, Strategic Advisor
Mon 8/9 at 1 p.m. – Lockdown Lessons for Association Membership (Chatting with Agnes & Cecilia)
This series of 15- to 20-minute videos covers hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. New episodes are posted by 1 p.m. every Monday. Check out Cecilia’s Nonprofit Executive Spotlight series too.
Guests: Lia Zegeye, Senior Director, Membership at American Bus Association
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 8/10 at 11 a.m. – Why Your Association Needs to Embrace a “Digital First” Strategy
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that associations underestimated members’ acceptance of digital delivery. Associations can capitalize on this digital tailwind—or they can succumb to the temptation to return to the “good old days” of traditional practices. Learn how to create a sense of urgency for “digital first” thinking, how to fund technological investments, and understand technology’s critical role in the future relevance of associations. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Presenters:
- Harrison Coerver and Mary Byers, CAE, authors, Race for Relevance
- Chelsea Brasted, general manager, Sidecar
Tue 8/10 at 12 p.m. – Looking Forward Solutions
Get a first look at Looking Forward (Solutions), the most current and comprehensive examination of association strategy ever conducted. The research tested more than 120 strategies currently being implemented by associations to discover the ideas that association leaders believe are most critical to success. Learn about the principal challenges facing association strategy as the sector emerges from the pandemic, key strategies that associations believe are critical to success and why they’re so essential to the future of associations, and how to access the Looking Forward Dashboard. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Association Laboratory
Presenters:
- Dean West, FASAE, founder and president, Association Laboratory
- Nikki Haton Shanks, MBA, CAE, strategist, Association Laboratory
- Meg Whedbee, MPP, senior analyst, Association Laboratory
- Miranda Barrett, CAE, PMP, strategist, Association Laboratory
- Nikki Golden, CAE, strategist, Association Laboratory
Tue 8/10 at 12 p.m. – Practical Answers to Your Burning Questions About the Future of Meetings & Events
Virtual attendance isn’t going away. Most organizations are embracing their new reach and inviting their newly found digital fans to join their in-person experiences—from home. Meanwhile, the duty of care, pandemic precautions, and safety and risk management have taken a front seat in the planning process, sometimes supplanting traditional conversations around design and experience. Back to normal is a phrase for past generations, so what’s next? Join this open dialogue on the future of events, what’s changed and what likely won’t ever be the same again. 1 CMP credit. More info/register – possible fee for MPI non-members.
Host: MPI
Presenters: MPI Events Director Melinda Burdette and Questex CMO Kate Spellman
Tue 8/10 at 12:30 p.m. – Community by Association Book Chat: Build Your Community with Richard Millington
Hear about the key concepts in Richard’s newest book, Build Your Community: Turn Your Connections into a Powerful Online Community, which will provide you the keys to unlock the potential in your online community programs to create member loyalty and to build sustainable communities. More info/register.
Host: Community By Association
Presenter: Richard Millington
Wed 8/11 at 11 a.m. – Summer Stakeholder Management: Tips & Tricks for Maintaining the Relationships that Matter
From lawmakers, advocates, clients, employees, team members and even competitors, project managing the people and data that help—or hinder—your cause into a coherent game plan is the perfect summer project. Hear tips for maintaining stakeholder and data hygiene, how to report out on your successes (and mitigate your failures), and best practices for managing and organizing your stakeholders in one place. More info/register.
Host: FiscalNote
Wed 8/11 at 1 p.m. – The New Live Engagement Program: Virtual is Here to Stay
The extended reach and accessibility of virtual events have unlocked new opportunities for organizations to build valuable relationships with their customers, prospects and other constituents. Learn the latest technology trends impacting the virtual world, the ongoing role of virtual events in your total event program, how to build an engaging virtual event your attendees will love and connect them with each other, and best practices from industry peers for virtual events of all sizes. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: Julie Haddix, Senior Director, Industry Solutions for Cvent
Wed 8/11 at 2 p.m. – Post-COVID Return to the Workplace: HR and Office Considerations for Associations
Hear about the human resource and physical office considerations for returning to the workplace. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Mid-Atlantic Society of Association Executives
Presenters:
- Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq. (moderator), Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC
- Sarah Henze, HR Consultant, TPO
- Rebecca Humphrey, Head of North America Workplace Practice Group, Savills
Wed 8/11 at 2 p.m. – Ask the Attorney: A Live Q&A for Meeting and Event Professionals
Are you happy with your contracts? Everybody is taking a closer look at their cancellation clauses, and agreements need to cover the nuances required for virtual and hybrid meetings. Get help navigating these challenges and answers to your questions about contracts. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Presenter: Jonathan T. Howe, president and founding partner of Howe & Hutton Ltd.
Wed 8/11 at 3 p.m. – Personalizing the Member Experience
Learn new and innovative ways to personalize the member experience. Explore both onsite and offsite techniques that can be incorporated into your digital member experience strategy. More info/register.
Host: Brightfind
Presenters:
- Frank Klassen, Brightfind
- Erica Salm Rench, rasa.io
Wed 8/11 at 3:30 p.m. – AWTC Salon: Degrees, Certifications, and Your Career
Participate in an interactive discussion about the value of advanced degrees and certifications. Do degrees and certifications help your career? Which credentials are the most valuable? AWTC Salons are interactive, collaborative gatherings where everyone is invited to share experiences, knowledge, and resources about a topic. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)
Facilitator: Jill Treby, Senior Director of Membership and Marketing at the Association for Psychological Science
Thu 8/12 at 9:45 a.m. – Big Buzz Breakfast Club: Intentional Culture Creation for Your Nonprofit
The culture of your nonprofit is instrumental in attracting top talent (staff, board and volunteers) and support, and in building engagement. Learn about the characteristics of successful cultures, the benefits of having a truly aligned culture from the top down and the importance of reviewing your nonprofit activities through the cultural lens of your association. More info/register.
Host: Big Buzz Idea Group
Presenter: Melissa Lagowski, founder, Big Buzz Idea Group
Thu 8/12 at 11 a.m. OR 8 p.m. – Innovations in Membership Engagement
When a global pandemic canceled conferences and events, associations had to innovate new, creative ways to engage their members and build community. Entirely new platforms and revenue streams have emerged as well as new ways to boost retention, volunteerism, and leadership. Learn creative, proven strategies to engage members, and inspire participation and growth. More info/register for morning or for evening session.
Host: Sarah Sladek, Membership Author and Strategist / Save the Associations
Presenters:
- Thomas Wojno, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Member Advancement, International Dairy Foods Association
- Dennis J. Slater, President, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
- Jennifer English Lynch, CAE, Member Concierge, American Health Law Association
- Chris Berry, District Executive Director, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City
- Jennifer Ragan-Fore, Chief Experience Officer, International Society for Technology in Education
- Ashley Hodak Sullivan, MBA, Director of Membership and Marketing, National Association of College and University Attorneys
Thu 8/12 at 12 p.m. – What to Say to Your Corporate Sponsors During Uncertain Times
Your organization is wrestling with what your events will look like in the future. The uncertainty gives you a queasy feeling when seeking sponsorship revenue. Learn about an easy to follow framework for conversations with sponsors. This framework will give you confidence as you will know what to say—and lead to more productive discussions, stronger relationships, and additional revenue. More info/register.
Hosts/presenters: Lewis Flax and Scott Oser
Thu 8/12 at 3 p.m. – How Hybrid & Virtual Can Dramatically Boost Event Revenues
Keeping your events on a prosperous growth track can be challenging, yet hybrid and virtual offer outstanding opportunities to protect and grow revenues. Hear proven strategies and tips to help you minimize event expenses while maximizing revenues. From sponsorship and subscriptions to expanding audience engagement throughout the year and in ways your sponsors will be eager to support, you’ll come away with ideas you can activate quickly to boost your event bottom line. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenters:
- David Lutz, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting
- Brooke Passy, CMP, DES, Senior Meeting Manager, Association Headquarters, Inc.
- James Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Digitell, Inc.
Fri 8/13 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 8/13 at 4 p.m. – Foresight as a Leadership Competency, Part 2
Foresight is the practice of continually scanning for developing trends and considering how they will impact your organization’s mission and operations. This forward-looking mindset transitions you from a reactive position to one that is proactive and transformational. Learn how to enrich your planning and operations through the integration of foresight into your organization. Take a deeper dive into applying foresight with small group discussions using ASAE’s ForesightWorks materials. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4 – must join before registering.
Presenters:
- Kristine Metter, MS, CAE, founder, Crystal Lake Partners
- Sue Pine, FASAE, CAE, Strategic Advisor
Sun 8/15 at 4 p.m. – Celebrating the Life of Elizabeth Glau
Elizabeth’s family and friends invite you to gather virtually to share our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry, and remember a remarkable person who left a legacy and will be greatly missed. More info/register.
Mon 8/16 at 1 p.m. – Update on Volunteerism Post-COVID19 (Chatting with Agnes & Cecilia)
This series of 15- to 20-minute videos covers hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. New episodes are posted by 1 p.m. every Monday. Check out Cecilia’s Nonprofit Executive Spotlight series too.
Guests: Paul Reddish
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 8/17 at 12 p.m. – The Science of Meetings & Events Series: Nature of Space: An Ecosystem for Event Success
Using the recently released “Nature of Space” whitepaper by IMEX we will use a neuroscience lens to explore the lessons from nature to help build an event that helps our attendees have a healthier, happier, and more meaningful event experience. 1 CMP credit. More info/register – possible fee for MPI non-members.
Host: MPI
Presenter: Janet Sperstad, Facility Director, Meeting and Event Management, Madison College
Tue 8/17 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 8/17 at 2 p.m. – Designing Your Event Program for Diversity & Inclusion
Learn how every angle of planning an event (venue selection, promotion, speaker selection, etc.) impacts an individual’s ability to feel included, how to avoid the pitfalls of outdated thinking, and opportunities you can use to ensure vibrancy at your events. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenter: Nathan Chin (he/him), Senior Product Manager, Cvent
Wed 8/18 at 12 p.m. – Method to the Madness: The Strategy Behind A/B Testing
Who’s got time to come up with alternate versions to test when you’re under pressure to just get the email out the door? Believe it or not, there’s a whole strategy behind A/B testing that is easy to implement AND it helps you elevate your campaign performance. We’ll walk you through a simple framework to use to test the right subject lines, email copy, and imagery that will help drive conversions and elevate your overall email game. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solutions
Presenters: Nicole Crilley, Email Marketing Specialist, and Erika Beshore, Training Specialist, HighRoad Solutions
Wed 8/18 at 12 p.m. – The Unstoppable Workplace: Overcoming the Impact of Imposter Syndrome
Learn how to recognize the hidden signs of imposter syndrome in your team and your business, discover the key behaviors and feedback that stop imposter syndrome in its tracks, and practice setting a high bar for performance without setting your team up to feel like a failure or fraud. 1 CMP credit. More info/register – possible fee for MPI non-members.
Host: MPI
Presenter: Stacey Ruth, CEO, Unstoppable Leader
Wed 8/18 at 1 p.m. – New Ideas for Non-Dues Revenue Success
Your association’s non-dues programs can be a strategic boon to membership, events and education when properly framed into an association’s strategy. Hear unique approaches to event, education, content and partnership programs. Our panel will provide working examples being used and working for 2021 and beyond. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Professionals for Association Revenue
Presenters:
- Rick Borry, co-founder, Webvent
- Teri Carden, founder, 100 Reviews and ReviewMyAMS
- Mike Thompson, CEO, Learner Mobile
- Sean Soth, founder and leadership advisory board chair, Professionals for Association Revenue
Wed 8/18 at 2 p.m. – Designing Your Event Program for Diversity & Inclusion
Learn how every angle of planning an event (venue selection, promotion, speaker selection, etc.) impacts an individual’s ability to feel included, how to avoid the pitfalls of outdated thinking, and opportunities you can use to ensure vibrancy at your events. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenter: Nathan Chin (he/him), Senior Product Manager, Cvent
Wed 8/18 at 3 p.m. – Beyond the Office: Nonprofit IT Support Trends
Join a discussion on the best IT support for moving beyond the office. What are current in-office, remote or hybrid nonprofit IT office work models? Hear about a range of innovations and trends that can keep your team being productive, and how to save and encourage the best of remote work even as you return to hybrid or in-office formats. More info/register.
Host: Community IT
Thu 8/19 at 4 p.m. – After ASAE21 Ask Me Anything Session with Jeff De Cagna
Join Jeff for an informal “ask me anything session” as a wrap-up to your ASAE21 learning experience. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna
Wed 8/25 at 1 p.m. – Strategies for Riding the Next Wave of Training Transformation
During the last 18 months, learning programs everywhere have been forced to pivot and deliver training digitally to both internal and external constituents. But now, as organizations return to the workplace and calendars begin to fill with in-person training and events, how can you stand out from the competition? Hear from learning leaders who are driving training program innovation and gain practical insights to successfully navigate continued turbulence. More info/register.
Host: Talented Learning
Presenters:
- Clare Marsch, Senior Vice President of Training and Development at the American Bankers Association
- Brittany Montgomery, Learning Consultant at Catalytic
- John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning
Wed 8/25 at 2 p.m. – Make Your Meetings a Ca$h Cow: Extending the Life and Revenue of Your Virtual & Hybrid Meetings
Your organization is creating a lot of great content through your conferences and webinars. But once the event is over, how can you leverage this content to keep making money for your organization? Learn how to change your meeting mindset and strategy to tap into new revenue streams, capitalize on shifts in continuing education wants and requirements, reuse and repurpose your virtual event content to increase non-dues revenue, and monetize matchmaking and create paid engagement opportunities driven from event analytics. More info/register.
Host: Matrix Group
Presenters:
- Teri Carden, founder of 100Reviews and ReviewMyAMS
- Bryan Clark, Director of Strategic Partnerships of Matrix Group
- Joanna Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker of Matrix Group, the makers of the BeSpeake virtual meeting platform
Wed 8/25 at 4 p.m. – Mindful Networking with Monica Dillingham
Join a 45-minute, small group meetings with someone we think you should get to know. No formal presentations. This is a chance to intentionally expand your network, exchange ideas, and get some advice. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Guest: Monica Dillingham, Chief Technology Officer of NACUBO
Thu 8/26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Community Thrive! Virtual Summit 2021
This gathering of thought leaders in the community and association space will give you the information and resources you need to make sound decisions about the future of online communities and engagement within your associations. Our speakers will help you strategize for longevity and relevance in a digital world. More info/register.
Host: Community By Association
Thu 8/26 at 3 p.m. – Strengthen Your Association’s Value Proposition
How can you fortify your association’s value proposition? Hear real-world examples of how other associations have improved by strengthening their value proposition. More info/register.
Host: Tecker International
Presenter: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, 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 by Wednesday afternoon.
Creative Commons photo by Vivek Doshi via Unsplash
Association Brain Food 
Thanks for sharing the Chapter Benchmarking survey! ☺
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I’m so glad I found your site. I’ve signed up for a couple of events I never would have known about.
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