The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community
Association Brain Food takes a holiday break after today. I’ll be back in your inbox on Friday, January 9. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Good reads for the association community
Competitive analysis. Members are already comparing your online learning programs to competitors—you might be surprised by what they’re finding. TopClass LMS walks you through an afternoon-long process for using AI to analyze competitor courses, pricing, and positioning. You also get a comparison of the best AI tools for the job and ready-to-use prompts.
Learning cohorts. The ‘learn at your own pace’ promise is exactly why most people never finish online courses. Apti makes a solid case for cohort-based learning programs that combine scheduled online sessions, collaborative and self-study work, and accountability. They describe how to design cohorts that deliver the networking and education members joined for in the first place. Please, if you do one thing this coming year, investigate cohorts.
Make the case for a new AMS. If you’re stuck with an AMS that requires workarounds for workarounds, re:Members put together a straightforward template for making the case to leadership—complete with the reasons why now matters and what’s actually possible with modern software. Be the change agent your association needs and start the conversation about researching a new system.
Credentials in 2026. Mandatory reading from Ryan Greives at Accredible: he gathers predictions from educators, HR leaders, and tech executives about where credentialing is headed. Credentials are finally going mainstream. Employers need proof of actual skills (they don’t always trust resumes) and Gen Z wants the bite-sized, stackable learning that microcredentialing programs deliver. If you do two things this coming year, please investigate microcredentials.
Community essentials. Dean West of Association Laboratory draws parallels between his annual deer camp and association community-building. Deer camp works year after year despite discomfort and no guarantee of success because of the same things that make communities work: common purpose, shared work, and consistent rituals. I can vouch for Dean’s findings: my husband’s annual deer hunt relies on the same essentials. It’s his favorite week of the year.
Event marketing. ExpoLogic’s guide covers event marketing from registration through post-event follow-up, backed by their 2024 research. The guide covers social proof, early bird campaigns, personalized marketing, landing pages, abandoned registrations, post-event surveys, and more. It’s worth downloading if your event registrations have been disappointing—or if you worry they will be.
New credentialing market. A new federal law expanded 529 savings plans to cover credentialing programs, not just college. Sam Caffentzis at Holmes Corporation describes five ways associations can capitalize on this change, from removing financial barriers for members to attracting new audiences who already have 529 savings earmarked for learning.
Planning with the help of AI. Chris Vaughn of Sequence Consulting recalls a meeting where AI unofficially joined the room and changed the conversation. He describes how associations are using AI to build board literacy, analyze member feedback at scale, and run scenarios before committing resources. With AI’s help, strategic planning goes from an annual event to a continuous practice.
Change blockers. Jamie Notter says traditional change management is too slow for the current pace of disruption. He recommends having hard conversations about whether your strategic plan is relevant, why you aren’t experimenting more, or why you tolerate ineffective behavior at the top. Avoiding these conversations blocks change. He provides a list of hard topics—pick one and schedule the conversation.
Lifelong reading. Petya Grady explains why reading slumps happen—exhaustion, wrong books, not knowing what to read next. She describes her own dry spells and how she found her way back to books by following her curiosity, not some external canon—though I’d argue for alternating the classics with whatever calls to you. She says the real problem isn’t discipline; it’s that nobody taught us how to build a reading life after school.
You never grow old at the table
I’d rather have these turkey meatballs with gravy than a Thanksgiving turkey. They’re flavorful and tender—not dry. I added celery, garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme to the recipe and bumped up the other seasonings. On the side, mashed potatoes (of course) with chives, and broccoli roasted with red onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
This calamari recipe is so fantastic I’m thinking about adding it to our family’s Christmas Eve menu. I use only one pound of calamari instead of two because I want plenty of sauce for pasta. I also add bacon, double the tomato paste, and use pureed canned whole tomatoes. This time, I chose mezze maniche rigate for the pasta—stubby tubes that catch every bit of sauce.
I made a whole pound of pasta for the calamari and had leftovers. The rest became pasta with white clam sauce. I swapped basil pesto for the usual herbs and tossed in julienned kale.
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About CAE credits: 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 12/19 at 3 p.m.* – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting
This monthly networking meeting is organized by consultants for full-time consultants who work with non-profits and associations. You don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. This month’s agenda includes discussion about making better referrals, updates on the Association Marketplace, future Open House activities, and ASAE 2026 Annual Meeting booth sharing, plus the sharing of good news, and topics or questions from the group. More info/register.
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 1/6 at 11 a.m. – Association Ethics 101
Learn what association professionals should know about ethics, including the difference between ethical, legal, and moral issues and their impact on decision-making. Hear about three ethical challenges that association professionals may deal with in their regular work. Explore at least three different strategies for managing ethical issues and review ASAE resources as well as an ABCD model for dealing with ethical issues. 1 CAE Ethics credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Nabil El-Ghoroury, PhD, CAE
Tue 1/6 at 1 p.m. – 30 AI Tools in 60 Minutes
Explore how marketers can leverage the newest generation of AI tools to work smarter, faster, and more creatively. From large language models to video, image, and audio generators, get a guided tour through 30 of today’s most powerful platforms shaping the marketing landscape. See how AI is automating everything from content creation to analytics, and share strategies for integrating these tools into your daily workflow. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar
Wed 1/7 at 11 a.m. – Conquer the Close: Tactics to Overcome the Word ‘No’
Learn about a proven, relationship-driven approach to turning rejection into opportunity. Hear about the psychology behind objections, how to reframe resistance into trust, and actionable strategies to move prospects from hesitation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Justin Goldstein, CAE, Director, Corporate Relations at The Bill of Rights Institute
- Dianne Vance, CAE, Director, Sales And Business Development at American Occupational Therapy Association
Wed 1/7 at 12 p.m. – Association Boards as Confidence-Building Systems
Explore the critical role of association boards as confidence-building systems, guided by humility, solidarity, and vigilance. By situating the irreplaceability of human contribution at the core of their stewardship, association boards can bring greater stability, deeper wisdom, and genuine care to their purposeful work on behalf of the associations, fields, stakeholders, and successors they serve. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: AIOT
Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC
Thu 1/8 at 11 a.m. – Copilot vs. ChatGPT: The AI Rumble You Didn’t Know You Needed
Learn what makes Copilot and ChatGPT actually different, where each tool shines and where they miss the mark, and real-world use cases that will change how you work. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Jon Rivers, COO, Marketeery
Thu 1/8 at 2 p.m. – Ring in 2026… Predictions, Pitfalls & Possibilities
What better way to start the new year than geeking out with some of our favorite IT experts? Hear the real scoop on how the economy, cyber security threats, AI, and global events will shake up your tech world in 2026; practical tips to keep your technology running like a well-oiled machine (without the actual oil); and your game plan for tackling those big tech projects you’ve been dreaming about. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Thu 1/8 at 2 p.m. – 2026 Hospitality Predictions from Michael Dominguez
Explore the evolving trends, shifts in consumer behavior, and innovative strategies that could reshape the way we think about meetings and events. Hear real-world examples to help you differentiate fact from fiction in the ever-changing hospitality environment. Learn methods to optimize your relationships with hotels and skills you need to thrive in the coming market. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Speaker: Michael Dominguez, CMP, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International
Tue 1/13 at 8 a.m. – A Strategy Tool for Associations for the Moment We Are In (Nonprofit Mission: Impact)
Nonprofit Mission: Impact is the podcast for association and nonprofit leaders who want to build a better world without becoming a martyr to the cause. In this episode: When everything feels unpredictable, scenario planning helps association teams move from reactive decision-making to intentional leadership. Hear what scenario planning is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most effective tools for navigating uncertainty right now. More info.
Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting
Tue 1/13 at 11 a.m. – Leadership Continuity in Associations: Preparing for the Next Generation of Leaders
Learn how to map vulnerabilities, transfer institutional knowledge, and develop team-based approaches that sustain long-term success. Drawing on best practices in governance and succession planning, this webinar equips association leaders with tools to ensure continuity, stability, and resilience through leadership change. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Alison Teitelbaum, Founder & Principal Consultant at AST Strategies
Wed 1/14 at 11 a.m. – How to Buy a Learning System: 6 Steps for LMS Selection Success
Get a complete, proven roadmap for navigating the LMS buying journey, from business case to vendor negotiation. Learn all the fundamentals, so you can find the best solution for your needs. More info/register.
Host: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst, Talented Learning
Wed 1/14 at 11 a.m. – How Much Should Nonprofits Hold In Reserve?
Learn how to conduct a risk assessment that will assist your association in quantifying financial risks and opportunities. Once completed, this risk assessment aims to assist in finding the appropriate reserve level for your organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Ryan Frydenlund, Director of Operations; Dennis Gogarty, President and Co-founder; and Lauren Kidwell, Senior Marketing Manager, Raffa Investment Advisers
Thu 1/15 at 1 p.m. – Don’t Let Your Fly-in Fly Away: Capturing the Power of Member Advocacy on Video
Once Fly-Ins and Lobby Days end, the passion, stories, and authentic voices that make these events powerful often vanish. Learn how to transform that fleeting energy into an ongoing campaign that amplifies your message all year long. With real-world examples from the Home Care Association of America, Start Early, and the Alzheimer’s Association, see how short, authentic videos captured during Fly-Ins can humanize complex policy issues, energize members, and strengthen relationships with lawmakers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices
Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Daniel Dalea via Unsplash
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