The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community
Good reads for the association community
Soft skills training. The label “soft skills” has always undersold what it describes—and AI is making soft skills gaps more costly. TopClass LMS says associations are better equipped than generic training companies like LinkedIn Learning to teach communication, critical thinking, conflict management, and related human skills. Soft skills programs, they argue, may be the most overlooked opportunity for growing non-dues revenue.
Selling education to employers. Most associations sell online courses to individual members and let the bigger opportunity go untapped. Apti makes the case for building a corporate sales model and explains how to package and price courses for employer buyers, identify your warmest leads, and avoid treating a group deal like a supersized individual enrollment.
AI tool evaluation. Your board wants an AI strategy, vendors are flooding your inbox, and staff are asking which tools to use. Dennison & Associates’ guide for associations offers a methodical evaluation process. It opens with a warning that the biggest mistake associations make with AI is buying a tool before defining the problem. It also includes a ten-question checklist for pressure-testing any AI tool purchase before you commit.
Association Career Corner. This week, Helen Mosher announced the launch of Association Career Corner, “a new professional community focused on networking, mentorship, practical career resources, and thoughtful conversations about building a career in associations.”
Research on association pressures. Association Laboratory’s annual Looking Forward® study has tracked association sector pressures for over a decade. The 2026 findings highlight a shift: the challenges are structural now, not programmatic. Their data shows growing employer influence on member participation decisions, fragmenting professional identity, eroding competitive barriers, and governance structures built for a different era. Association Lab argues that refining programs and tactics, without examining underlying assumptions and models, will make adaptation harder over time.
AMS AI functionality. AI features are showing up in every AMS demo right now. Beacon Tech Research’s post helps you distinguish between value and marketing. It suggests five due-diligence questions to ask AMS vendors that focus on AI ownership, data privacy, underlying provider, output accuracy, and long-term cost of AI features.
Board challenges. Association board governance ranks among the most complex in the nonprofit sector because boards don’t operate alone. Behind each one sits a network of committees, chapters, and task forces, each with its own calendar and obligations, mostly managed through email chains, shared drives, and PDF attachments. OnBoard describes the fallout: tedious meeting prep, unprepared directors, fragmented records, and institutional memory lost during leadership transitions. It also covers what dedicated board platforms add, including AI for summarizing board books and drafting minutes.
Microcredentials. Microcredentials earn long-term member and employer trust only when associations get the design and pricing right. Dr. Michael Tatonetti (Pricing for Associations) explains what makes microcredentials credible and durable: rigorous assessment, renewal-based pricing, strategic bundling, and knowing when a program shouldn’t become a microcredential at all.
Panel sessions. Don’t even think of running a panel session without reading this first. Jeffrey Cufaude (Facilitate Better) lays out six concrete opportunities to rethink panel design and facilitation—including pre-event seeding, room setup, assertive facilitation techniques, and closing techniques—so attendees are engaging with expertise instead of passively enduring it.
Snacks
Explore this running list of opportunities to read with others on Substack. | Christina Bieber Lake, Art & Soul
If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 40 workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. Note: you’ll need to pass a test to earn the credit.
Association Brain Food is a labor of love and always will be. If it’s been useful to you, your team, or your webinar marketing, buying me a beer is much appreciated. Thanks!
You never grow old at the table
For our wedding anniversary dinner, I made crab and spinach stuffed flounder. The stuffing contained crab, spinach, cream cheese, green onion, Parmesan, basil, garlic powder, bread crumbs, melted butter, and Creole seasoning. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon, onion, garlic powder, and cayenne.
With half a head of green cabbage sitting in the fridge, I knew one of our favorite skillet dishes would end up on the menu. This time, the recipe included hot Italian sausage, onion, red bell pepper, broccoli stems, sugar snap peas, garlic, red pepper flakes, cabbage, white wine, sundried tomatoes, cannellini beans, and Parmesan. It’s one of those ‘clear out the produce drawer’ recipes.
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.
Tue 7/7 at 1 p.m.* – Inside The Alliance: Charting Your Next Chapter
No matter where you are in your career, you’re not alone. Many accomplished women are asking similar questions about growth, visibility, and what’s needed to take the next step. Join us for our next virtual conversation (open the everyone) as we explore these realities together. Choose between two breakout conversations: Job Market & Career Transitions or Career Mobility & Advancement. More info/register.
Host: The Alliance for Women in Associations
*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 7/7 at 4 p.m. – Best Kept Secrets for Small Org Success (Let’s Chat: Small Staff Associations)
Small organizations can be powerful learning grounds where staffers gain a diverse mixture of hands-on experiences. They can be quicker to adapt to change, streamline processes and build collaboration. This hour will focus on all the ways small staff organizations are great environments for growth, change management and innovation. Connect, ask questions, exchange experiences and gain insights to help drive your organization forward. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Small Staff Associations Advisory Committee
Wed 7/8 at 11 a.m. – How to Buy an LMS for Associations (LMS Buyers Office Hours)
Associations require a different buying lens than corporate LMS buyers. Learn how to evaluate platforms for member education, certification, test preparation, community engagement, social learning, events, recurring revenue and integrations with your AMS or CRM systems. More info/register.
Host: Talented Learning
Speaker: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning
Wed 7/8 at 11 a.m. – Goldilocks and the Three Community Events
Professionals are presented with a wealth of opportunities to engage through association and industry events, but how does one choose where to go, and how do you make the most of the experience? Hear practical strategies for getting the most out of every event opportunity, regardless of your role: end-user, vendor, partner, consultant, staff, or volunteer leader. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Bobby Small, Community Strategy at DUG (Dynamics User Group)
Wed 7/8 at 12 p.m. – The Credentialing Playbook: How Databricks Scaled to 1 Million Credentials
Learn how one organization built a six-level credentialing framework—from free fundamentals to professional certification—and the governance model to scale it across multiple programs and audiences. Hear about the strategic thinking behind this tiered badge framework, how they govern a program that spans multiple audiences and use cases, what drives one of the highest credential share rates in the industry, what motivates learners to complete and keep coming back, and lessons learned from growing a program to this scale. More info/register.
Host: Accredible
Speakers:
- Rachel Canetta, Sr. Manager of Certification, Databricks
- Mark Feola, Senior Account Manager, Accredible
Wed 7/8 at 12 p.m. – Content That Converts: Email Nurture Sequences That Recruit, Convert and Retain Members
Hear about a simple, repeatable framework for turning cold prospects into engaged members and keeping them engaged. Learn how to build intentional email sequences that do the heavy lifting between your big campaigns by nurturing interest, building trust and moving people toward membership without the hard sell. Find out how to use storytelling, education-based content, and targeted messaging to support every stage of the membership journey: from that first sign of interest to long-term renewal. Get a campaign blueprint you can adapt and deploy immediately, no big budget or tech stack required. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speaker: Leona Dalavai Scott, President, JEP Marketing Communications
Wed 7/8 at 1 p.m. – The M&A Blind Spot: What Association Leaders Need to Know About Valuation Before It’s Too Late
Based on over a decade of strategic valuation and market intelligence work across Fortune 1000 companies, private equity portfolios, and nonprofit mergers, learn how M&A really works—from the wide range of valuation outcomes that make deals unpredictable, to the due diligence failures that sink them, to the fundamentally different rules that apply when nonprofits merge versus when for-profits transact. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Edgar Baum, CEO at Avasta
Wed 7/8 at 1 p.m. – How to Avoid Common AMS Buying Pitfalls & Red Flags
Learn how to avoid the most common association tech buying pitfalls and approach your AMS evaluation with clarity, confidence, a proven framework, and next steps you can apply immediately to your buying process. Hear how to know when it’s time to invest in new association technology; avoid process, data, and adoption challenges and delays before they start; align the right stakeholders and define clear goals and requirements; and evaluate vendors, demos, and proposals without getting overwhelmed. More info/register.
Host: Momentive Software
Speakers:
- Bria Thomas, Associate Director, Operations and Special Projects, National Community Pharmacists Association
- Debra Lally, CAE, Executive Director, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
- Chris Capistran, VP of Channel and Strategic Accounts, Momentive Software
Thu 7/9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio
All associations create value. But without a coherent portfolio, you’re missing patterns, synergies, and hidden revenue. Learn how to define and describe a product portfolio; analyze and map your current offerings; organize them into a high-level product portfolio; identify interdependencies and find new value; use your portfolio as a strategy, planning, or budget tool; and keep your portfolio updated and timeless. More info/register.
Host: James Young, Product Community
Thu 7/9 at 12 p.m. – Beyond the Annual Meeting: Designing a Year-Round Engagement Portfolio
For associations facing shifting member expectations and retention challenges, building continuous touchpoints is essential for providing ongoing value and securing long-term loyalty. Learn how organizations can shift away from one-off events and move toward a sustainable, year-round engagement strategy that keeps members active every day. More info/register.
Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing
Speakers:
- Meaghan Maybee, Marketing Communications Specialist II, pc/nametag
- Michael Palacios, President, Lead Marvels
- Mitch Malinsky, VP of Revenue, Pheedloop
- Usha Iyer, Chief Customer & Growth Officer, President – US, Hivebrite
Thu 7/9 at 12 p.m. – On The Hunt
A monthly, community-driven virtual gathering designed to support AWTC members who are exploring new opportunities, navigating a job search, or considering their next move. Connect with peers, share insights, exchange leads and resources, and stay encouraged through the job-hunting process. Each session includes informal discussion, optional themed topics, and space for participants to reflect on their next steps to create momentum while prioritizing connection, flexibility, and community support. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)
Wed 7/15 at 1 p.m. – Scenario Planning for Nonprofit Associations: Building Resilience and Sustaining Impact
Explore practical approaches to scenario planning and revenue diversification that support financial sustainability. Learn how to build and evaluate ‘what-if’ financial scenarios, identify strategies to diversify and stabilize revenue streams, assess growth and expansion opportunities, and apply key questions and best practices throughout the planning process. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Teresa Henderson, Association Practice Leader at Your Part-Time Controller
Thu 7/16 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Looking Forward 2026 Solutions: The Association Strategies Essential to Success
Get a first look at data from Looking Forward® 2026 Solutions, yearly research that tests 120 strategies currently being implemented by associations. Learn about the key strategies associations believe are critical to success and why they are so essential to the future of associations, the principal challenges facing association strategy as the sector continues to change in relation to current events, and what the 5-year trends are saying about the future solutions that should be implemented. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Association Lab
Speakers: Dean A West, FASAE, Founder and President, and Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory
Thu 7/16 at 12 p.m. – How to Be a Great Podcast Guest
Learn how to communicate your expertise clearly, confidently, and memorably as a podcast guest. Hear how to prepare for podcast appearances, including the importance of strong audio setup and using a quality microphone, as well as tips for structuring thoughtful, conversational answers. Learn how to anchor key ideas with stories, create memorable soundbites, avoid common pitfalls, and amplify podcast episodes through social media. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speakers:
- Joanna Pineda, CEO and Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group
- Gretchen Streenstra, VP of Client Strategy, Delcor
Thu 7/16 at 12:30 p.m. – From Manual Tasks to Meaningful Work: Practical AI for Association Operations
Learn how associations are using AI to reduce manual effort, automate repetitive tasks, and simplify everyday workflows: streamlining reporting, connecting data across platforms, and creating more reliable insights for leadership. Get a clearer understanding of where AI can deliver immediate value and how to start small while building momentum. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: Insight Guide and BJA Solutions for Associations
Speakers:
- Gregory Cohen, Chief Financial & Operations Officer, American Society of Landscape Architects
- Andy Steggles, CEO and Founder, Insight Guide
- Barbara Armentrout, CAE (moderator), Founder, BJA Solutions for Associations
- Teri Carden (hostess), COO, Insight Guide
Thu 7/16 at 1 p.m. – Insourcing vs. Outsourcing IT: Not An Either/Or Decision
Learn about the various components of IT management, the operational risks and opportunities tied to each component, common management models (insourced, outsourced, or co-managed IT), and the key variables to consider when choosing the right model for your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, and Chris Abel, Manager of Consulting Services, Optimal Networks
Fri 7/17 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 topic is Revisiting Collaboration, plus we’ll share good news and take questions from the group. More info/register.
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
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