The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives… on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam… it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.” —Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot
AI as an education tool. TopClass explains how to use AI tools to more quickly develop online education programs. Their suggestions cover the first three steps of the ADDIE instructional design methodology: Assess, Design, and Develop. Now you can do what you never thought possible.
Listen. What follows is not hyperbole. Depending on your career stage, this podcast episode could change your life. Michael Hoehn (COO, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer) is the guest on Association Strong, hosted by Tom Morrison (CEO, Metal Treating Institute) and Dave Will (CEO, PropFuel). They talk about what keeps members and staff up at night, membership value, villains, activity management, goal setting, work/life planning and organization skills, working from home, and jazzing on people. I feel blessed to call these guys my friends.
Membership benchmarks. I used to assume everyone knows about MGI’s membership benchmarking report, but learned that’s not the case. If you’re involved with membership or marketing, do yourself a favor and download the 16th edition of this valuable resource. It provides industry data on the membership value proposition, marketing, recruitment, engagement, renewal, reinstatement, dues, innovation, and more.
SEO changes. Margarita Loktionova of Semrush explains how SEO has changed and how to address new SEO challenges. As a maker of an SEO tool, Semrush is still obviously bullish on SEO, but I wouldn’t rely solely on it to bring traffic to your website. Take advantage of additional channels to establish trust and pull people back to your site, like newsletters, social media, and events or publications where you can share your expertise.
Stress reduction. Derek Warnick of CMEpalooza (which is coming up soon) gathered tips and techniques for dealing with stress. I suggest bringing some perspective to your life about what really matters in the long run. Also, yoga, walking, and chopping vegetables.
Event strategy. ExpoLogic walks you through an event strategy, including goal setting, planning the event, marketing, and measuring success.
AI as a database tool. Wow. Has anyone tried this? Mallory Mejias at Sidecar describes how AI can maintain your association’s database. Will wonders never cease?
Ugh. What’s happening to students? Ted Gioia shares the latest depressing news from the “zombie wars.” He says students only care about the next dopamine fix—because that’s how addicts operate. They can’t get back to their phones fast enough. They have no long-term plans, just short-term needs—and no attention spans. This does not bode well.
Snacks
It works for astronauts. Two ways the “Overview Effect” can make you feel alive—and perhaps lower your stress level. | Mark Travers Ph.D., Psychology Today
My last wish for the America I know. | Mia Love, The Free Press
A comprehensive guide to AI agents. | Miguel Rebelo, Zapier
The forgotten treehouse bars of bygone summers in Paris. | Messy Nessy
Dear boomers, this is why millennials don’t feel motivated to work anymore. | Sarah Coppin
The subversive art of Socratic dialogue. | Michael S. Rose, Classical Compass Rose
You never grow old at the table
Not sure how to cook fish? Here’s an easy one: baked lemon Parmesan flounder (or fish of your choice). Combine Parmesan, panko bread crumbs, chives, parsley (or your choice of fresh herbs), lemon zest, and garlic powder and mix them with melted butter and olive oil. Pop in the oven at 375° for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. I made more topping than I needed, so it reappeared the next night, you’ll see.
We’ve got a greens bonanza going in the raised beds, so I made lightly creamed chard and Brussels sprouts greens. This time, I omitted the mushrooms and used ham broth.
Last weekend, browsing my food newsletters, I came across a recipe that I knew right then and there I had to make: creamy sweet Italian sausage, mushrooms, and egg noodles with Boursin cheese. Calories be damned! I added onion to the mushroom mix and stirred in chives at the end. Swoon!
On the side, a sauté of green beans and green onions with some of that topping from the flounder recipe, which was perfect for green beans too.
Corned beef was on sale for St. Patrick’s, so I grabbed one for the freezer. On Sunday, I gave it my usual low and slow roast. Before putting it in a 300° oven for four-plus hours, I rub a mix of ground spices over the top: allspice, mustard, coriander, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and Aleppo pepper flakes. On the side, a green cabbage sauté with bacon, red bell, broccoli stems, red onion, garlic chives, and chives.
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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 3/28 at 11 a.m.* – Don’t Stop Believin’: From First-Time Attendee to Event Ambassador
The energy shouldn’t end when your event does. Learn how to turn first-time attendees into active participants who keep showing up—and bring others with them. Learn how to create engagement opportunities that feel natural—not forced, and incentivize and measure ongoing participation. Hear about real examples of events that keep attendees coming back for more. More info/register.
Host: EventMobi
Speakers:
- Robert Dunsmore, Creative Director
- Dahlia El Gazzar, #EventTech innovator and industry thought leader
- Jennifer Minzey, Senior Meeting Planner, Kaiser Permanente
- Anthony Vade, Founder, Experience Design Change
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 3/28 at 12:30 p.m. – NextGen Advisory Committee Meet & Greet with ASAE Board Member Haley Cox
Engage in a casual conversation, ask questions, and network with fellow emerging leaders in the association community. Don’t miss out on this chance to gain valuable career insights and build connections with an association leader. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE NextGen Advisory Committee
Guest: Haley Cox, Executive Director, Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
Mon 3/31 at 8 a.m. – Association Ethical Complaint Procedures (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: Richard Shermanski, Esq.
Mon 3/31 at 12 p.m. – YPAC Lunch and Learn: Shaping Tomorrow: How Foresight Drives Personal and Professional Success
Learn about foresight as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, its use at the C-suite level, and how association professionals at any level can apply it. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Young Professionals Association Council
Speakers:
- Stephanie Bruno, CAE, Director, Association Management Services, Talley Management Group
- Lindsay Currie, Executive Officer, Council on Undergraduate Research
- Melody Jordan-Carr, CEO, MemberGrow
- Ben Rome, Director, Communications & Brand, American Bus Association
Tue 4/1 at 11 a.m. – Connections Over Content? How Event Organizers Are Adding Meetings to Their Events
Hear why event connections don’t always need to happen in the conference venue, how introducing a pre-scheduled meeting plan was the single biggest strategic decision for M&I in its 20 year history, how to deploy pre-arranged and timed meetings easily, why participants are demanding more ROI from their events and how connection helps solve that problem. More info/register.
Host: Grip
Speakers:
- Richard Barnes, CEO, Worldwide Events
- Ruben Onderdelinden, Founder, Lively
Tue 4/1 at 12 p.m. – Data Analytics Network
Engage in association peer-led discussions on topics related to data and analytics on the first Tuesday of each month. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Data Analytics Network
Tue 4/1 at 2 p.m. – Implications of the New Administration’s Policies and Executive Orders for the Not-for-Profit Sector
Navigating the complexities of the Trump administration’s new policies and executive orders can be very challenging for not-for-profit organizations. The risk extends far beyond the administration’s executive orders and includes areas such as employment policies and practices, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and state laws, among others. Hear about the latest on the federal and state enforcement front, litigation risks, and more. Learn practical strategies and tips to confidently face these evolving uncertainties head-on and steps you can take now to better mitigate the risks facing not-for-profit organizations today. More info/register.
Host: CohnReznick
Speakers:
- Jeffrey Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC
- John Alfonso, CPA, CGMA – Partner, Not-for-Profit & Education Industry Practice Leader, CohnReznick
- Richard Meene, Principal, Government Contracting, CohnReznick
- Beth Mullen, CPA – Partner, Affordable Housing Industry Leader, CohnReznick
- Kim Clark Pakstys, Managing Director, CFO Advisory, CohnReznick
Wed 4/2 at 12 p.m. – The Future of the AMS
Hear about the evolution of association management systems (AMS), particularly user experience and how associations are leveraging AMS to grow membership and expand their revenue streams. Explore data collection strategies for both large and small staff organizations and delve into the differences between configuration and customization. More info/register.
Hosts: Association of Women Technology Champions and Black Association Executives
Wed 4/2 at 12 p.m. – E-Learning Fundamentals: A Crash Course for Newbies
It can be challenging to understand e-learning information without a baseline of knowledge. This session is designed to give you that foundation so you can understand everything else you see, hear, and read. So bring all your questions (yes, even the ones you are afraid to ask), and get the answers you need. More info/register.
Host: Training Magazine Network
Speaker: Amy Morrisey,President, Artisan Learning
Wed 4/2 at 12 p.m. – Navigating Choppy Waters During Challenging Times: How Recent Executive Orders Affect Association Communications
In light of new EOs, associations may need to take steps to identify, review and if necessary, adjust their DEI programs, websites, fundraising appeals, membership information, and more. Learn more about what actions associations need to consider regarding their communications. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: AIOT
Speakers:
- Carmen Elliott , MS, CAE, Executive Director of the American Physical Therapy Fund, and Vice President, DEI, American Physical Therapy Association
- Sheri Singer, president, Singer Communications
Wed 4/2 at 1 p.m. – Strategy Session: Data-Driven Tactics for Building Your Advocacy Program
With content overload, fragmented platforms, and limited resources in 2025, many organizations struggle to find new advocates, activate their base, and measure what’s actually working. Learn how to find and acquire new advocates using data-driven audience targeting, gather more actionable data to refine your messaging and improve conversions, and bring it all together—integrating and analyzing data across platforms to optimize results. More info/register.
Host: AdvocacyAI
Speakers: TargetSmart, AdvocacyAI, and Community Tech Alliance
Thu 4/3 at 12 p.m. – Ask Me Anything International: The Art of Storytelling for Global Impact
Explore the universal power of storytelling and its profound impact on global engagement and leadership. Dive into practical storytelling techniques that harness both Hollywood’s creative flair and the science of psychology. These strategies have been honed through years of experience across nearly every continent, proving their effectiveness in diverse cultural settings. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE International Associations Advisory Council
Speaker: LaQuita Cleare, Storytelling Magician and Global Speaker
Thu 4/3 at 2 p.m. – The Power of Peers
In the age of social media, “social proof” is frequently cited in decision making. Hear strategies to harness the power of peers and how associations are using these methods to attract members and create value with their constituents. Learn about options for generating non-dues revenue, technology for capturing social proof, managing these initiatives, and how to plan for unforeseen situations. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Speakers:
- Teri Carden, VP of Marketing and Client Success, Insight Guide
- Andy Steggles, CEO and Founder, Insight Guide
- James Marquis, CIO, 501Works
Thu 4/3 at 2 p.m. – Associations at Risk: 2025 Tax Reform Implications
Associations and nonprofits are facing the most significant legislative threat in over 50 years. Key tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire in 2025, and some lawmakers and policy groups are pushing to apply the 21% corporate tax rate to all tax-exempt organizations. This could mean new taxes on membership dues, sponsorships, investment income, and educational program revenue, among other sources. Hear about the policy landscape, the potential impact on associations, and what we can do now to protect our community. More info/register (state SAE members only, I think).
Host: Association Societies Alliance
Speakers:
- Jarrod Clabaugh, CAE, president & CEO, Ohio Society of Association Professionals and the OSAP Foundation
- Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, Chief Public Policy and Governance Officer, ASAE
- Kyle Hayes, Senior Director of Public Policy, ASAE
Thu 4/3 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards Community Dialogue April 2025 Kickoff Event
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First
Fri 4/4 at 12 p.m. – CAE LiveChat
This program is open to all CAE candidates, current CAEs, and all ASAE members. The goal is to provide an open, online space for CAE candidates to ask questions about anything and everything about CAE (e.g., exam preparations, eligibility, exam content outline, study strategies, practice questions, tips and advice, etc.) as well as current CAEs to share their knowledge and experience with the CAE exam as well as any ASAE members who wish to join. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Facilitators:
- DeeJay Hastings, IOM, CAE, Deputy Executive Director & Consultant, LEWIS, LLC (Lead Facilitator)
- Wanda Little Coffey, MBA, CAE, Senior Director, Volunteer Relations, ASAE
Tue 4/8 at 11 a.m. – One-Size-Fits-NONE: “Watch Me” is NOT a Strategy for Sales Success
Traditional sales training often follows a “one-size-fits-all” formula—treating every salesperson as if they learn, grow, and succeed in the same way. Sure, it might create a common language, but it completely misses the mark on what truly drives long-term performance: empowering salespeople to think, adapt, and sell on their own. Learn how to leverage the three “love languages” of salespeople to connect, inspire, and drive results; identify the specific skills, behaviors, and processes each salesperson needs to succeed; and how to improve sales team training. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Steve Heroux, Founder at The Sales Collective
Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – Build Winning Association Sponsorship Programs: Strategies for Success
Learn about the biggest trends impacting sponsorship and ad sales, key factors that drive companies to sponsor and advertise with associations — or not, how to create a program that increases sponsorship and advertiser involvement revenue and member value, the critical roles for staff leadership and board members in creating a successful sponsorship and advertisement revenue strategy, and how to transition from your current sponsorship and advertisement program to a more impactful approach. More info/register.
Host: Ewald Consulting
Speakers:
- Bruce Rosenthal, Principal of Bruce Rosenthal Associates
- Blake Finger, Director of Sales and Membership Strategies at Ewald Consulting
- Betsy Pierre, Partnership and Sales Manager at Ewald Consulting
Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – Succession Planning: Future-Proofing Your Organization
Building a healthy “bench” builds management depth, improves employee retention and motivation, and reduces organizational risk. Yet why is it so challenging to actually implement? Explore how to create a healthy succession planning culture (and why it’s harder than it looks), how to address succession planning roadblocks, how to level up the people who are going to backfill key positions, and knowledge transfer best practices (and other tactical recommendations). More info/register.
Host: Braintrust Professional Institute
Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute
Thu 4/9 at 1 p.m. – Autonomous AI for Nonprofits: Transform Your Team’s Capacity to Drive Impact
Learn about AI Agents, potential tools, and their capabilities; how to define use cases for AI within your organization; and how to identify next steps for AI exploration and implementation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Nicole Adair, Principal Solution Engineer at Salesforce
- Stephen St. John, Senior Director, Customer Success & Solutions at fusionSpan
Thu 4/10 at 2 p.m. – Monthly Association Jam Session
Join a discussion about rolling topics, totally casual, a chance to exchange tips while getting to know other folks who are doing the work of 10 staff too. This month, we’ll chat about how we can help each other figure out what to do when we arrive in a new role and inherit a big honkin’ mess. More info/register.
Host: Association Marketplace
Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you’re offering free professional development to the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before your event is scheduled.
Creative Commons licensed photo via NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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