The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community
“You cannot have a happy ending to an unhappy journey” ~~Abraham-Hicks
Good reads for the association community
Sponsorship revenue. The old sponsorship packages no longer work for many companies. TopClass LMS makes the case for transforming sponsors into year-round educational partners. Your corporate partners are already educating your members; they’re just doing it without you. Restructure these relationships so they generate consistent revenue and deliver valuable professional development to members.
Members with no time for you. Members don’t have enough time to get involved with your association, but the experiences that will hook them into your community require time. What to do? James Young of Product Community says members already spend time on professional development, problem-solving, and networking, but they do it inefficiently across multiple platforms and sources. By consolidating and improving these activities for them, you’re not asking for more of their time, you’re asking for a reallocation of their existing time toward something that actually benefits their careers.
Taking the CAE exam this year? Check out the revised CAE Practice Exam from Rogue Tulips Consulting. Authored by CAE expert Cheryl Ronk, CAE, FASAE, this practice exam provides difficult questions to sharpen your thinking skills and test your knowledge. If you’re sitting for the exam, this is your prep companion. Get $25 off with discount code RTBRAINFOOD.
AMS implementation. Most of us have an AMS horror story, but after 400+ implementations, re:Members knows how to turn those forebodings into success. They describe their approach to the two biggest implementation fears—time consumption and change-resistant staff—and offer practical first-30-days advice for associations preparing to switch systems. A must-read if you’re evaluating systems or getting ready for project kick-off.
The state of chapters. The new chapter benchmarking report from re:Members and Mariner Management confirms what many of us suspected: volunteer shortages morphed from a nuisance to a nightmare. But that’s not the only problem: only 18% of associations believe their chapter structure is up to date. Beyond benchmarking data, the report explores how community itself is being redefined and includes examples of associations experimenting with lighter-weight models and centralized operations.
Outsider perspective. Carolyn Shomali was an association ‘outsider’ when she was hired by Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR). Six years later, as she leaves PAR, she encourages you to ask, “If an outsider stepped into my association, what would they question?” She advises you not to underestimate the cost of the status quo or the value of your industry partner members in helping you upset it.
Member renewal. Marketing General Inc. shares nine renewal strategies backed by their Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report data. The guide covers data, research, timing, grace periods, payment options, renewal touches, and channels, plus a month-by-month renewal schedule.
Help improve AMS/CRM selection. Association staff, vendors/solution providers, and consultants: 501Works invites you to complete the 2025 AMS/CRM Software Selection Survey. By spending just 5-10 minutes on the survey, you’ll help identify common selection pitfalls, communication gaps, and challenges faced across our industry. Your insights will shape best practices for years to come.
Board expectations. Do your board members understand their stewardship responsibilities or do they see board service as a reward for their loyalty or popularity? Jeff De Cagna calls for associations to reset director and officer expectations around board service with his three stewardship imperatives. Use this post as a discussion prompt at your next board meeting.
New member onboarding. In a guest post for Higher Logic, Darryl Gecelter of Crowded points out five onboarding mistakes that lead to new member disengagement or remorse—and what you should do instead.
Snacks
The ROAR Method™ offers a practical framework for sustainable membership growth built around four stages: Recruit, Onboard, Activate, and Renew. | Jeff Hanlan
Is this the real face of Elizabeth I? Artist Mat Collishaw is on a quest to reveal the woman behind the mask of this famously image-conscious monarch. I was hoping they’d stick a wig and gown on it and have it talk. | BBC
I’ve never seen this amazing metalwork before: Shrine of the Three Kings at Cologne Cathedral by Nicholas of Verdun. More proof you can find light in the so-called dark ages. | Smarthistory
Heartbreaking. “I saw our dead son suddenly alive again.” Newly public footage shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin and his fellow hostages lighting a menorah in captivity. It is a reminder that, even in the bleakest of circumstances, there is hope. | Rachel Goldberg-Polin, The Free Press
You never grow old at the table
Let’s start with my excessive Christmas Eve table. I had a crockpot full of glühwein (mulled wine) ready for everyone as they arrived. I left the apps to others since I made tortellini alfredo, Christmas Eve calamari (I added bacon and doubled the tomato paste) with short rigatoni, plus plain marinara for the kids, and turkey meatballs with gravy (I added celery, garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme, and bumped up the other flavor enhancers). Yeah, maybe four mains is a bit too much.
On the side, mashed potatoes (courtesy of my sis-in-law), cranberry sauce, roasted broccoli with red onion and garlic powder, and cheesy garlic bread (softened butter, sauteed garlic, Parmesan, parsley, s&p, and mozzarella). Along with desserts from guests, I contributed my high-octane eggnog, Russian teacakes, ginger cookies, and salted chocolate chip cookies. Yes, we had leftovers. I haven’t weighed myself since.
For Jim’s birthday (New Year’s Day), I made his favorite low-and-slow roasted corned beef. Before putting it in a 300° oven, 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 cabbage sauté (bacon, onion, red bell, jalapeño, carrot, and garlic with ham broth) and butternut squash purée. After boiling the cubed squash, drain it and put it back in the pot with orange juice/zest, heated milk (optional), maple syrup, butter, and salt. Purée it with an immersion blender right in the pot.
This dish might be on the menu for Christmas Eve next year: Italian stuffed pork loin. Too much salt even for me, but I’ll dial that back next time. On the side, roasted baby gold potatoes with fresh rosemary and garlic powder, and roasted broccoli with red onions and garlic powder.
Here’s an easy fish dinner: pesto parmesan crusted amberjack. Oil a baking dish, spread halved grape tomatoes over the bottom, and bake at 450° until they soften. Put the fillets on top, season them, spread with pesto, then top with panko, Parmesan, and lemon zest. Bake until done. On the side, mashed potatoes, plus collards sautéed with bacon, onion, carrot, red bell, jalapeño, garlic, ham broth, and sherry vinegar.
We love this comfort food meal: one-pot beef stroganoff. It’s truly one pot! After all the other ingredients are sautéed, you add the egg noodles and cook everything together. I added red bell and jalapeño pepper, and used regular instead of sweet onion, sherry instead of white wine, and smoked instead of regular paprika. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with red onion, ancho chile powder, and garlic powder, then tossed with a balsamic vinegar and maple syrup glaze.
This Portuguese dish packs the flavor: Alentejo-style pork chops. With a mortar and pestle, smoosh garlic and salt, add black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and olive oil to make a paste. Spread over the chops, put them in a dish, add a cup of white wine, and leave them alone to marinate a few hours just like that. Then brown them on both sides, stir in the marinade and wine, cover and cook on low another ten minutes. On the side, a purée of butternut squash and sweet potato.
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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 1/9 at 12 p.m.* – Fireside Chat: AI, Insight, and the Future of Membership
Explore how AI can help membership teams better understand members and prospects—not in a futuristic, buzzwordy way, but in practical, usable ways you can apply right now. The session includes a 20-minute idea-sparking presentation on how AI can turn scattered data into real insight; a guided peer discussion with fellow membership professionals; and honest conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and where AI actually fits (and where it doesn’t). Limited to 50 participants. More info/register.
Host: Propfuel
*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 1/12 at 8 a.m. – Why A.I. Can’t Replace People Skills (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)
Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and other channels.
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Guest: Cynthia Lockrey
Mon 1/12 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays January 2026: Engagement that Grows – Turning Experiences into Measurable Results
Learn how APS designed award-winning engagement strategies that strengthened member satisfaction, community engagement, and leadership retention. Hear how to design strategies that build community, personalize experiences, and measure success in ways that support retention today and sustainable growth over time. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Speaker: Candice Graham, Assistant Director, Member Engagement and Recognition at the American Physical Society (APS)
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
Tue 1/13 at 12 p.m. – Rethinking Retention: Generation-Specific Strategies to Address Lapser Risk and Boost Engagement
Hear the findings from Momentive’s latest associations trends study, revealing critical insights about lapser risk across generations. Learn about the major differences in what drives renewal across Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers; why Gen Z members are the riskiest members— your “shoppers” with the highest renewal intent but the lowest loyalty scores; how to identify red flags for lapser risk among your most vulnerable member segments; and generation-specific value offerings that transform satisfied members into loyal, long-term advocates. More info/register.
Host: Momentive Software
Tue 1/13 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: 2026 Goals – From Reflection to Real Execution
Explore what worked in 2025—and what needs to be left behind; how to separate strategic priorities from trend-driven distractions; where associations should double down, pause, or reset in 2026; how to align technology goals with staff capacity, governance, and business outcomes; and what success should realistically look like by this time next year. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Facilitators:
- Reggie Henry, Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer, ASAE
- Dave Coriale, President, DelCor Technology Solutions
Tue 1/13 at 2 p.m. – Association Revenue Growth Strategies: Building Predictable, Scalable Growth in 2026
Learn about a structured, practical approach to building predictable, scalable association revenue. Hear how to strengthen your revenue pipeline, improve lead conversion, stabilize renewals, and activate upsell strategies without increasing headcount. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
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
Wed 1/14 at 12 p.m. – Engaging the Next Generation: Creating Value for a New Wave of Members
Learn how to redefine your core value proposition to specifically meet the expectations of Millennial and Gen Z professionals; integrate advanced technology and seamless digital platforms to enhance the modern member experience; develop appealing and accessible leadership training and personalized mentorship frameworks to attract young talent; and provide impactful opportunities for civic engagement and demonstrable social responsibility that resonate deeply with the next generation. More info/register.
Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing
Speakers:
- Jamie Graves, Director of Business Development at Membership Marketing Services
- Molly Lee, Director of Strategy at Adage Technologies
- Tim Hopkins, Managing Director at McKinley Advisors
Wed 1/14 at 12 p.m. – 2026 AI Executive Briefing
Hear about trends and strategies in artificial intelligence, and ideas on how to better leverage it in your organization. Explore wiring AI and leadership together, moving from Incremental vs Strategic AI, and staying up to date. More info/register.
Hosts: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute
Wed 1/14 at 1 p.m. – Unmuted: How Emerging Leaders Activate Confidence, Voice, and Impact to Shape What’s Next
This interactive session is for next-gen leaders who want to own their voice and play a more intentional role in shaping what’s next, not just in their careers, but in how they show up in the world. Learn how to uncover what’s holding you back and how to shift it; speak up with clarity, confidence, and ownership; stop shrinking your ideas and start owning your impact; and lead from where you are, with or without the title. More info/register.
Host: ASAE NextGen Advisory Committee
Thu 1/15 at 11 a.m. – AMS Selection in 2026: What’s Changed, What Still Matters, and What to Do Now
Learn what has genuinely changed in the AMS landscape and why it matters for 2026; which hard-earned lessons from past AMS searches still apply; how modern tools and increased peer transparency can reduce risk and shorten the process; and how to start preparing now and without the overwhelm. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: David Schulman and Vanessa Dennison, Co-Founders, Beacon Tech Research
Thu 1/15 at 11 a.m. – Stable, Cautious—and Stuck: How to Build Revenue Without Breaking What Works
Many associations know they need to diversify revenue, but hesitation is real. In this live episode of Association Amplified LIVE (formerly Buzzworthy LIVE), Marcus and Dan explore why event dependency still feels safer than digital, what adaptive business models look like in practice, and how content-led revenue helps associations reduce risk and scale value—without blowing up what’s already working. More info/register.
Host: TaleWind Digital
Speakers: Marcus Leite, Director Sales and Marketing, TaleWind Digital and Dan Stevens, President, TaleWind Digital
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
Thu 1/15 at 1:30 p.m. – Future-Ready Meetings: AI, Talent & Trust
Pull back the curtain on the biggest “a-ha!” moments shaping association meetings. Learn what planners can expect in 2026 as AI reshapes everything from workforce reskilling and next-gen career paths to empowering staff with the same intelligent tools your members now depend on. If time allows, we’ll tackle the real talk too—how to navigate job-loss fears and ethical questions while still embracing the massive upside of smarter workflows, real-time event intelligence, and elevated meeting performance. More info/register.
Host: Teri Carden, COO, Insight Guide
Moderator: Barbara Armentrout, CAE, BJA Solutions for Associations
Speakers:
- Vinnu Deshetty, Event ROI Coach
- Dahlia El Gazzar, Dahlia+Agency
Thu 1/15 at 2 p.m. – Sneak Peek into Associations’ Digital Initiatives in 2026
Have you ever wished you could be a fly on the wall in another organization’s office as they’re developing their digital strategy or making big decisions about which web technologies and platforms to use in 2026? Take a whirlwind, behind-the-scenes tour of some really cool and innovative projects we worked on in 2025. We’ll walk through the decisions, goals, and creative problem-solving behind each project so you can understand not only what was built but the thinking behind it. More info/register.
Host: Matrix Group
Speakers: Joanna Pineda, CEO and Chief Troublemaker; Dave Hoernig, VP of Software Engineering; Alex Pineda, Creative Director; and Jessica Parsley, PMP, Director of Project Management, Matrix Group
Thu 1/15 at 2 p.m. – What Board Members Think Association Community Survey Information Sessions
The What Board Members Think Association Community Survey is an invitation to association board directors/officers to share their perspectives on board service and help elevate board performance in 2026 and beyond. Please join one of our two January information sessions to learn more about this project, including how your association can benefit from your board’s participation. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC
Thu 1/15 at 4 p.m. – Trends in Employee Benefits for 2026 and Beyond
Hear strategies for designing competitive and meaningful benefits packages that help attract, engage, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive labor market. Learn about practical and sustainable cost-containment approaches for health and wellness programs, providing insights into how organizations can balance rising costs with the need to offer comprehensive coverage. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap
Speakers: Jason Jones, SVP, Washington DC and Richmond Market Leader, and Ben Bohonowicz, SVP, Division Director, Employee Benefits, RCM&D
Tue 1/20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Association/Nonprofit Briefing on AI, Finance and Technology Q1-2026 (Arlington VA and virtual)
This one-day, in-person and virtual event is a collaboration designed to provide targeted, credit-eligible (CAE and CPE) professional education for association and nonprofit industry professionals. It features five thought leadership sessions focused on these critical topics:
- 9 to 10 a.m. – The Strategic Two-Step: Leveraging Outsourcing and Your Technology Stack to Maximize Mission Success and AI Strategies
- 10:10 to 11:10 a.m. – AI Readiness: De-Risking Technology Migration as the Foundation for Agentic AI
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – The Relevance Engine: How Associations are Using AI platforms and AI Agents to Modernize — Perspectives from Association Executives in the Trenches
- 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. – Hyper-Automation for Mission: Low-Code Portals and AI for Program & Member Workflows
- 3 to 4 p.m. – No-Code AI Agents: Easily Connecting Automation to Your Business Applications
5 CAE credits. Location: Arlington VA and virtual. More info/register.
Hosts: UST Education and Community Summit Roadshow
Speakers:
- Andrew Potasek, Partner, Wipfli Advisory LLC and Michelle Wroblewski, Director Association Growth and Strategy, Wipfli Advisory LLC
- Tobin Conley, CAE, CIP, Director of Research & Learning, DelCor Technology Solutions; Chris Ecker, CTO, DelCor Technology Solutions; and Jennifer Brearey, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Advamed – Advanced Medical Technology Association
- Wade Tetsuka, President, U.S. Transactions Corp, Karim Guirguis, COO, American Bankruptcy Institute, and Katherine Bayless CAE, Senior Director, Data & Analytics, Consumer Technology Association
- Dustin Sitton, Principal, Incite Automation
- John Buccola, CTO and Chief Growth Officer, TMC – The AI First Microsoft Partner
Wed 1/21 at 11 a.m. – Creating a Coaching Culture: The Strategic Advantage for Association Growth
Learn how coaching enhances key organizational outcomes, including improved performance, higher retention rates, increased productivity, and better communication. Discover how personalized coaching unlocks individual potential, strengthens employee engagement, and fosters a more collaborative work environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Lori Bruhns, CEO at Lori Bruhns, LLC
Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – Building a Burnout Resistant Team: 3 Strategic Shifts for You & Your Staff
Learn three immediate, low-lift behavioral and communication shifts to recapture focus time and stabilize high-value talent. Understand how to use self-awareness to track and eliminate chaotic interruption patterns; apply communication preference data to reduce friction; and align shared notes and task management to gain a clear, bird’s-eye view of workflow. Take away a 90-day action plan to reduce institutional chaos, boost staff efficiency, and improve continuity. More info/register.
Host: Association Xchange
Speaker: Jane Singleton, executive coach and founder, Launchpad for Life, LLC
Wed 1/21 at 1 p.m. – Why You’re Worth It: Breaking Old Beliefs to Unlock Sponsorship Revenue
Step into a more confident sponsorship mindset and attract the partners your work deserves. Learn about the mindset blocks that hold nonprofit and association leaders back and the shifts that unlock stronger, more confident corporate partnerships. Hear about the 5 mindset shifts every leader needs; why worthiness directly impacts sponsorship success; how to speak to companies from a place of value, not scarcity; and a fresh way to think about your mission, impact, and partnership potential. More info/register.
Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder/CEO, Growth Owl LLC
Guest: Pat Schultz, MBA, founder, Ready4Takeoff
Thu 1/22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio
In this outcome-based workshop, learn how to define and describe the indispensability of a product portfolio; analyze and map your current offerings; organize your offerings into a high-level product portfolio; identify interdependencies and find new value for your membership; use your portfolio as a strategy, planning, or budget tool; and keep your portfolio updated and timeless. More info/register.
Host: James Young, founder, Product Community
Thu 1/22 at 2 p.m. – Scaling Non-Dues Revenue: How TIA Built a Centralized Media Hub
Hear how the TIA team brought advertising and sponsorship operations in-house and scaled non-dues revenue using a centralized media hub. Learn why TIA decided to bring advertising and sponsorship management in-house; how managing multiple media offerings in one place enabled them to create high-value multimedia packages; how they streamline sales, tracking, and reporting; and how they turn actionable data into increased sponsor value and revenue. More info/register.
Host: iMIS by ASI
Speakers:
- Paul Leahy, VP of Member Services & Operations, Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)
- Raphael Badagliacca, ASI
- Joe John, John Consulting
Thu 1/22 at 2 p.m. – What Board Members Think Association Community Survey Information Sessions
The What Board Members Think Association Community Survey is an invitation to association board directors/officers to share their perspectives on board service and help elevate board performance in 2026 and beyond. Please join one of our two January information sessions to learn more about this project, including how your association can benefit from your board’s participation. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC
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 Ray Hennessy via Unsplash
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Association Brain Food 