The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Looking forward. Association Laboratory is collecting data for its annual Looking Forward® Challenges research study. Please take 10 minutes to contribute to our community’s understanding of what associations face in a complex and dynamic world. The resulting data will help you prioritize resources and guide conversations with your leadership. Participants receive access to the customizable Looking Forward® Dashboard, containing research data from 12 studies.
Workforce development. TopClass LMS describes how your association can support and enhance corporate workforce development initiatives through learning portals, skills training, credentialing programs, career pathways, and more—and suggests several reasons to prioritize these efforts.
Member recruitment. Can you pinpoint your association’s competitive advantage(s)? Mary Byers explains why you need one (at least) and what questions will help you identify your competitive advantage overall and for different member segments.
Repurposing webinars. eLearningDOC describes the benefits of turning your webinars into self-paced, dynamic, and interactive learning experiences. They explain how to extend the life of your webinars while expanding your association’s educational portfolio.
Devil’s advocate. Mark Athitakis at Associations Now brings a promising idea to the association world: the critical reviewer. He suggests guidelines for this person to follow during board meetings. I played this role (unasked, ha) in staff meetings during the latter half of my association career, which is why I’m better off working for myself now.
Sponsorship. Lori Zoss Kraska of Growth Owl is always researching and uncovering new approaches to sponsorship. Align your association’s sponsorship initiatives with her list of corporate CSR priorities.
AMS selection. If you’re embarking on an AMS project, start your research with a review of 108 Ideaspace’s list of issues to consider when selecting an association management system (AMS). They go into detail on the items that belong on your list: reporting, security, API, technology partners, access control, cost of ownership, vendor stability, and the ability to expand software capabilities as your needs change.
Gen Z. Day One Agency suggests not believing the headlines about Gen Z. Data dissonance is especially pronounced when it pertains to the youngest generation in the workforce. That’s why the agency went straight to Gen Z for answers. Based on their survey findings, they’ve divided Gen Z into three groups, each with their own beliefs and desires: Neo-Traditionalists, Fluid Pragmatists, and Internet-Age Explorers.
Duh. Is AI making us dumb? The answer from Amanda Silberling at TechCrunch is not surprising: of course it is, if you outsource your critical reasoning skills to it. Don’t!
Snacks
This explains why many college graduates are so lost. Literature has become a playground for Marxists: how the academy betrayed the humanistic tradition. Lisa Libes, Pens and Poison
Tips for being non-partisan in a partisan age: It’s not easy, it can be exhausting, and you’re not always going to get everything right. But you have to keep trying. | Greg Lukianoff
The teen loneliness machine—get to know what’s up with your future members, customers, and attendees. | Erica Pandey, Axios
An odd-looking table at a beach bar turns out to be a 1,700-year-old Roman coffin. | Nikki Main, Daily Mail
You never grow old at the table
Once you find a good meatball recipe, don’t let it go. Or maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who has your nonna’s recipe written on a stained index card. I’m Irish-Lithuanian, so no such luck. But I do have a keeper recipe for meatballs from 177 Milk Street. If you don’t subscribe, this PBS station shares it too.
Since I have a partly Italian soul (okay, stomach), I feel confident enough to tweak the original recipe. I cut the panko back to 2 cups, adjusted the water too, and used half Romano, half Parmesan. I used 1# of meatloaf mix (veal, pork, and beef) plus 1/2# of beef. Instead of the recipe’s sauce, I made my usual marinara.
Here’s a good combo: chipotle salmon, “baked” (nuked) sweet potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts with a few gold potatoes, red onion, garlic powder, balsamic, and olive oil.
Another night, Portuguese chicken thighs served over pearl couscous with leftover Brussels sprouts. I sauteed the bacon and veggies before adding them to the pot with the chicken and tomatoes. Yes, always fussing with recipes.
If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.
Note: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”
Education providers: 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’m happy to feature it as long as it’s not product-centric.
Fri 3/7 at 12 p.m.* – From Resumes to Results: Hiring for Real Impact
Learn about a competency-based framework to clearly define success in a role and identify what matters in a candidate’s background; an end-to-end hiring strategy to improve job advertising, sourcing, interviews, and final decisions; and common hiring pitfalls to avoid and what to do instead. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speaker: Bob Corlett, founder and president of Staffing Advisors
*All events are online at Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 3/3 at 8 a.m. – Navigating Through Change (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)
Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the nonprofit community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting nonprofit organizations around the world—and we have fun doing it! Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast (to name a few!).
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Guest: Laura Bratton, Motivational Speaker and Coach
Mon 3/3 at 1 p.m. – Ask Axios Pro: What’s new in healthcare?
Hear about the current and future state of healthcare policy, including legislation that’s on the table, key lawmakers, and what’s changing with the new administration’s appointees. We’ll cover your most pressing concerns and answer your biggest questions. More info/register.
Host: Quorum
Participants: Adriel Bettelheim, Senior Healthcare Editor; Victoria Knight, Healthcare Policy Report; and Peter Sullivan, Healthcare Policy Report, Axios
Tue 3/4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – The Nonprofit Marketing Summit
Join us to uncover the core principles that have driven nonprofit success for decades, and dive into the latest innovative technologies to equip your organization with the tools to thrive in 2025. This isn’t just a conference; it’s a celebration of legacy and a roadmap to the future of purpose-driven work. More info/register.
Host: Community Boost
Tue 3/4 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Alexandria VA)
Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals (CRPs) who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. Come late, leave early, share, don’t share—our lunches are peer-driven and anything but boring. They’re jam sessions with lunch, not lectures. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, insights, and inspirations you can put to work right away. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.
Host: re:Members
Tue 3/4 at 12 p.m. – 2025 Association Tech Trends (Data Analytics Network)
Reggie has surveyed the community each January for many years now to identify technology trends for the upcoming year. Hear about the themes for 2025, such as navigating AI strategy, the impact of data management, enabling member engagement, and understanding technology debt. Find out how the 2025 trends compare to 2024’s. More info/register.
Host: Data Analytics Network
Speaker: Reggie Henry, Chief Information & Performance Excellence Officer, ASAE
Tue 3/4 at 12 p.m. – Rowing in the Same Direction: Using Communications to Drive Team Alignment
Consider the challenges when communications is done poorly: misinterpretations, incorrect assumptions, disengagement, mistrust, and resistance to change. Learn what role each level of management and group has to play in getting the message out, internal communication best practices and inventory of possibilities, the “external” brand vs “internal” culture connection, and how to identify when there is a “broken link” in the communications plan and execution, and what to do about it. More info/register.
Host: Braintrust Professional Institute
Tue 3/4 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Nonprofit Tech Talk: Unraveling AI, Security and Data (New York, NY)
Forward-thinking leaders can transform technological ignorance into competitive advantages that drive sustainable growth and innovation by seamlessly integrating data strategy and governance, AI, and security frameworks. Participate in a focus group discussion designed to empower nonprofits by exploring four critical areas that drive digital and AI success: security, data governance, AI, and customer engagement. Gain valuable insights into effectively leveraging technology to achieve your organizational goals and maximize impact in the community. Location: New York, NY. More info/register.
Hosts: RSM and Microsoft
Tue 3/4 at 2 p.m. – Fundamentals of Message Design Workshop
Ready to unlock the secrets of persuasive communication? Discover the hidden ingredient your core message is probably missing (hint: it’s not what you think!), the triple threat of buy-in (three essential elements that make your message irresistible, and how to bake them in from the start), and where persuasive message design fits in your organization’s ecosystem (and how to make a bulletproof case for it). More info/register.
Host: Tamsen Webster, author of “Say What They Can’t Unhear”
Wed 3/5 at 11 a.m. – Psychological Safety: The Key to Individual, Team, and Organizational Success
Discover how fostering psychological safety can unlock individual potential, strengthen team dynamics, and propel organizational success. Learn how creating a culture of trust and openness drives measurable business outcomes, including higher engagement, increased innovation, and lower turnover. Get actionable strategies to transform workplace culture into a thriving, high-performing environment where employees feel empowered to take risks, collaborate, and exceed expectations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Don Rheem, Founder & Chairman of CultureID
Wed 3/5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – The Nonprofit Marketing Summit
Join us to uncover the core principles that have driven nonprofit success for decades, and dive into the latest innovative technologies to equip your organization with the tools to thrive in 2025. This isn’t just a conference; it’s a celebration of legacy and a roadmap to the future of purpose-driven work. More info/register.
Host: Community Boost
Wed 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Washington DC)
Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals (CRPs) who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. Come late, leave early, share, don’t share—our lunches are peer-driven and anything but boring. They’re jam sessions with lunch, not lectures. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, insights, and inspirations you can put to work right away. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: re:Members
Wed 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Think Like a Media Company: Unlocking Non-Dues Revenue for Sustainable Association Growth
Hear about the imperative need for diversifying revenue streams. Beyond the traditional reliance on membership dues, explore innovative pathways to sustainable financial stability and long-term success. Learn about strategies for leveraging non-dues revenue opportunities strategically. From sponsorship and advertising, to sponsored content, educational programs, certification, and strategic partnerships, uncover untapped avenues that can drive revenue growth and ensure the resilience of your association in an ever-changing landscape. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: AIOT
Speaker: Bill Sheehan, D2L
Wed 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Ethics at Work (YPAC Lunch & Learn)
As young professionals in the association space, navigating ethical dilemmas and upholding high standards of conduct are crucial to maintaining trust and credibility in your career. Explore key ethical principles from ASAE’s Standards of Conduct and apply them to real-world scenarios that association professionals face daily. Through interactive discussion and case studies, attendees will learn how to handle conflicts of interest, confidentiality concerns, fair decision-making, and fostering an ethical culture in the workplace. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Young Professionals Community
Speakers:
- Tina DeNeen, EdD
- Larry C. Smith, JD, CAE
- Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, RRT
Wed 3/5 at 1 p.m. – Master Employee Onboarding with Thoughtful IT: Top 7 Tips
One of the quickest ways to tarnish a new employee’s perception of your association is to throw them into a sloppy technology setup. Learn about IT’s critical role in a positive on-boarding experience; best practices to maximize productivity, engagement, and security; and equipment recommendations to empower hybrid and remote workers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Chris Abel, Manager of Consulting Services, and Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, Optimal Networks
Wed 3/5 at 1 p.m. – The State of Associations
Hear a panel of association executives share what their organizations are seeing in their professions, with their memberships, and what this means for associations moving forward. More info/register.
Host: Fonteva
Speakers:
- Grant Carpenter, CAE, Executive Director, Indiana Society of Association Executives
- Su Hawk, Executive Director, Colorado Society of Association Executives
- Terry Monroe, Executive Director, Virginia Society of Association Executives
- Hester Ndoja, CAE, President and CEO, Florida Society of Association Executives
Wed 3/5 at 2 p.m. – Innovative Fly-In Strategies for a New Era of Advocacy
Learn how to adapt your fly-in approach, whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person, to the current political landscape and achieve your legislative goals. Hear practical advice on personalizing your approach, anticipating questions, and measuring the impact of your advocacy efforts. More info/register.
Host: VoterVoice
Speakers:
- Mark Fisher, Director of Advocacy Engagement, Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Megan Gordon Don, President and Founder, MGD Strategies
- Kirstie Tucker, Founder, DC Fly-Ins
- Brian Rubenstein (moderator), President, Rubenstein Impact Group
Thu 3/6 from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Spring Symposium: Empowering Change (Arlington VA)
This symposium is a unique opportunity to engage with subject-matter experts who will guide us through the intricate and fascinating world of personal and professional development. See session descriptions in online descriptions below. In-person attendees also get an exclusive panel discussion with the instructors at 3:45 p.m. 5 CAE credits. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Cameron Aubuchon, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, PropFuel
- Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL
- Dan Stevens, President, and Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, WorkerBee.TV
- Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.
Thu 3/6 at 10 a.m. – Spring Symposium: Empowering Change Through Data: Bringing Your Data to Life
Data is the engine that drives transformative change and enables associations to create truly personalized member experiences. Explore strategies to ensure your data evolves alongside your members, remains accurate and relevant, and works seamlessly across systems to meet members where they are. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Cameron Aubuchon, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, PropFuel
Thu 3/6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – The Nonprofit Marketing Summit
Join us to uncover the core principles that have driven nonprofit success for decades, and dive into the latest innovative technologies to equip your organization with the tools to thrive in 2025. This isn’t just a conference; it’s a celebration of legacy and a roadmap to the future of purpose-driven work. More info/register.
Host: Community Boost
Thu 3/6 at 11:15 a.m. – Spring Symposium: The Culture You Need in a Time of Disruptive Change
There is no one “right” workplace culture for everyone, but these days, there are some specific elements of culture that have become more important than ever—because they help you deal with rapid and disruptive change. Hear about patterns inside your culture that mess with success and slow down change, evaluating and prioritizing areas of culture change based on specific challenges you face, and strategies for rapid and thorough culture change. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL
Thu 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Maximize Your AMS ROI: How to Drive Long-Term Success
How can your organization maximize its AMS investment far into the future? By building a partnership with your AMS vendor and continually optimizing your technology through product updates, feature enhancements, and innovative offerings. Learn how to establish a collaborative relationship with your AMS vendor to ensure you reach your future technology goals, foster long-term AMS value by identifying a technology vendor that invests in innovative tools, solutions, and enhancements, and encourage the continued staff adoption of your technology through training, resources, and vendor support. More info/register.
Host: Momentive Software
Thu 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Ask the Experts: Modernizing Association Governance
Learn how associations can utilize technology and other tactics to help simplify and streamline their governance operations and procedures. Hear about the association governance landscape today, technology for association governance meetings, managing membership data, and best practices. More info/register.
Host: GetQuorum
Speakers:
- Jeff Horne, Wicket
- Noah Maislin, Minutes Solutions
- Heather Terrence, Pinpoint Governance Group
- Ben Zelikovitz, GetQuorum
Thu 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Better Together: Successfully Integrating Foresight and Strategic Planning
Associations need to establish a culture of foresight that allows them to better plan for success in our rapidly changing world. Learn what’s new with ASAE ForesightWorks and its drivers of change, hear best practices and case studies from association leaders who have successfully integrated foresight and strategic planning, and share ideas with colleagues from across the association community about how foresight can inform their strategic planning work going forward (and vice versa). More info/register (ASAE members only).
Hosts: ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group and the ASAE Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council
Speakers:
- Rebecca Argabrite Grove
- Lynn M Gangone, CAE, Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
- Josh McFall, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Minnesota REALTORS
- Denise Roosendaal, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director, Institute for Credentialing Excellence
- Danielle Duran Baron, MA, MBA, FASAE, CAE (moderator), Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
- Tommy Goodwin, MBA, FASAE, CAE, PMP, CMP (moderator), Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance
Thu 3/6 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Nonprofit Tech Talk: Unraveling AI, Security and Data (Washington DC)
Forward-thinking leaders can transform technological ignorance into competitive advantages that drive sustainable growth and innovation by seamlessly integrating data strategy and governance, AI, and security frameworks. Participate in a focus group discussion designed to empower nonprofits by exploring four critical areas that drive digital and AI success: security, data governance, AI, and customer engagement. Gain valuable insights into effectively leveraging technology to achieve your organizational goals and maximize impact in the community. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Hosts: RSM and Microsoft
Thu 3/6 at 1:15 p.m. – Spring Symposium: Disruptive Engagement: Redefining Member Value in the Digital Age
As our world rapidly evolves, so do concepts of membership, challenging associations to rethink their value propositions. Social media and global technologies are drawing individuals into niche, private groups, reshaping expectations for community and engagement. Explore the generational shifts influencing how members perceive the value of their time, actions, and data—and the rewards they expect in return. Uncover what these changes mean for the future of associations and gain insights on how to adapt your strategies to align with these emerging member expectations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Dan Stevens, President, and Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, WorkerBee.TV
Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – 12 Marketing Snafus Hurting You and How to Fix ‘Em Fast
Find out about a dozen of the biggest marketing snafus most associations make and how you can fix them with ease and style. Learn quick, easy-to-implement wins for mission-driven marketers; what marketing errors you’re making and which ones you’re winning; and where to make investments for higher engagement and conversion across your channels. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Mighty Citizen
Speakers: Mindy Avitia, Senior Events & Marketing Manager, and Andy Fabian, Copywriter, Mighty Citizen
Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue March Kickoff Event
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First
Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – Avoiding the Integration Trap
Integrations can provide data consistency between systems, cut down on staff work and data duplication and enhance your member experience. But they can also be expensive, difficult to implement, and present ongoing operational challenges. Learn about strategies to avoid problems up front, information to get before you sign the contract and ways to ensure your integrations keep performing once they are active. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – 5 Webinar Trends for 2025 That Will Transform Your Marketing
Learn easy to implement tactics and strategies to re-imagine your webinar programs to more effectively engage, connect and ultimately convert prospects into customers. Find out how to create engaging webinar formats, personalize audience experiences, repurpose webinars into new actionable content, and build audiences through an on-demand strategy. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speaker: Mark Bornstein, Vice President, Marketing and Chief Evangelist, ON24
Thu 3/6 at 2:30 p.m. – Spring Symposium: The Human Element of AI: Making Technology Adoption Stick
Learn how to evaluate technology solutions, communicate their value clearly to your team, and roll them out in a way that builds trust and enthusiasm across your organization. Discover how to avoid the “launch-it-and-forget-it” trap by creating a culture of continuous improvement, where teams regularly revisit and refine how they use new tools like AI to meet evolving goals. Hear about common obstacles—such as resistance to change, lack of training, or unclear processes—and explore strategies for breaking down these barriers to help your team fully embrace new technologies. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.
Thu 3/6 at 3 p.m. – Tools and Tactics to Attract New Members
Learn how to use compelling narratives on your website to draw in new members, capture prospect emails with lead magnets, turn website visitors into members, showcase the value of your membership with smart trial strategies, and clearly and persuasively share why joining your association is a must. More info/register.
Host: Member Lounge by Grype Digital
Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO of Grype Digital
Fri 3/7 at 2 p.m. – Applying Automation to Save Time & Effort
Explore how automation can revolutionize your association’s operations. Hear about practical applications of email automation to deliver more personalized member value, streamline tasks, reduce manual effort, and free up your team to focus on high-impact activities. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Speakers:
- Amber Worthen, Chief Executive Officer, Email Maven
- Taryn Morrissey, Customer Care Strategist, Higher Logic
Wed 3/12 at 1 p.m. – Increase Sponsorship Revenue with Video
Discover how video can add non-dues revenue around events, from pre-event promotions to in-event showcases and post-event recaps. Learn actionable strategies to drive additional revenue from existing digital, print, and year-round sponsorships by integrating video into their mix of available digital sponsorship space. Hear practical insights on how to offer dynamic, high-value opportunities to sponsors while enhancing member engagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices
Thu 3/13 at 11 a.m. – Mission-Driven Marketing: Unlocking the Power of Paid Advertising
Learn how to amplify your association’s reach and engagement through paid advertising. Effectively leveraging platforms like Google Ads, social media advertising, and programmatic campaigns can make a significant difference in achieving your mission-driven goals. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speaker: Gene Kimball, Founder of Grow Together Marketing
Thu 3/13 at 11 a.m. – Love Your Content Again: Repurposing Webinars for Ongoing Engagement
Learn how to turn your existing webinars into fresh, exciting content that keeps your audience engaged and your brand shining. Hear how to repurpose your webinars into blog posts, social media gems, podcasts, and more—without the extra work. Find out about the tools, tips, and strategies to keep your content alive and thriving, making sure it continues to deliver value long after its first date. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Reilly Moriarty, Marketing and Events Manager at UST Education
Thu 3/13 at 1 p.m. – Best Practices for Association / Nonprofit Board Governance in the Digital Age
Learn how to equip board members with tools to address cybersecurity risks, leverage digital opportunities, and maintain accountability in a data-driven world. Hear actionable insight from case studies and best practices from top-performing organizations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Don Dea, Co-Founder at Fusion Productions
Thu 3/13 at 2 p.m. – Monthly Association Jam Session
While ChatGPT can get us so far, it’s much more interesting to share tips and solutions with real association people, especially when there’s no specific manual or training book on how to manage an entire association with a staff of 30 or even just 2. In March, we’ll discuss KPIS for community building, and how it is part of the community journey. We know that without community you can’t have sponsorships or events. How do we come up with goals? More info/register.
Host: Association Marketplace
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