The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community
Good reads for the association community
Microvolunteering with your app. Clowder describes how a mobile app turns microvolunteering tasks, like welcoming new members or reviewing a session proposal, into an easy yes for busy young professionals. The post shares eight ideas your association can try right away and makes the case for microvolunteering as an entry point to your association’s leadership pipeline.
Introverts at ASAE Annual. If big industry events leave you exhausted by the close of the day, you’ll love Aaron Wolowiec’s (Event Garde) strategies for managing your “social battery” at events like the ASAE Annual Meeting. He shares 25 tips for protecting your energy, ranging from expo hall game plans to scheduling recovery time once you’re back home.
Change management. Employee resistance and shaky management support are what typically sink change projects. D2L’s guide to change management for associations walks through a six-step process, from building your vision to making new practices stick. The guide gives extra attention to the human side: how staff experience change, why resistance happens, and how to use early adopters to move the skeptics.
Governance built for yesterday. In Association Laboratory’s 2026 CEO research, CEOs cite one governance challenge more than any other: getting volunteer leaders to spend more time on future risks than day-to-day operations. CEOs also said building a strategic board and engaging younger members in volunteer leadership are top of mind. The post describes the causes of these problems and suggests questions for your next board meeting.
Proving membership ROI. William Pawlucy and Bob Harris tell the story of a company that sent a membership RFP to four trade associations. Two never responded, one took three weeks to send a generic brochure, and one called to ask about the company’s needs and sent back a customized ROI one-pager. They describe the seven criteria used by membership prospects to score you like they would a vendor, from response speed to governance, plus they provide a Value Audit checklist that puts a dollar figure on your association’s membership benefits.
Improving website redesign RFPs. Most website redesigns go sideways during the RFP process, before the project even starts. Steward’s guide walks through ten mistakes associations make when sending out a website redesign RFP. A well-run RFP process leads to sharper proposals and a smoother selection decision.
Closing the prospect awareness gap. Olena Lima (MemberBoat) suggests doing searches for the questions membership prospects ask, leaving your association’s name out of it, and seeing who answers instead of you. She says most associations already have the content needed to close the awareness gap, but it’s often buried in PDFs instead of living on web pages that answer real prospect questions.
Worrying for nothing. Adam Singer (Hot Takes) points to research that 91% of people’s worries never came true. For most participants, the accuracy rate of their worries over the 30-day study was zero. He ties this to phones and nonstop news cycles keeping us anxious even when most things turn out just fine. Like Tom Petty said, “Most things I worry ’bout never happen anyway.”
Snacks
Being an involved grandparent is good for you: it’s linked to a stronger sense of purpose and better physical and mental health. | Marc Agronin, The Wall Street Journal (gift link)
Carl Martin breaks down the Gen Alpha melody, the same four-note tune that’s been in dozens of songs released since 2010. You know it!
Whether playing the harp on Instagram or taking up the trumpet to spite an ex, young people are yearning for timeless crafts and a functioning attention span. | Laura Pitcher, Dazed
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
Here’s a dish that’s been part of my summer rotation: baked salmon with green onion and lemon garlic butter sauce. In addition to the green onion, lemon zest and juice, garlic, and butter, the sauce includes white wine and Italian parsley.
On the side, another summer favorite: zucchini and summer squash sauté with red bell pepper, broccoli stem, carrot, onion, garlic, tomato, and lots of basil.
I avoid using the oven on steamy hot days by putting my pressure cooker to work. On Sunday, I made butter chicken, a recipe from Urvashi Pitre’s cookbook, Indian Instant Pot: Traditional Indian Dishes Made Easy & Fast. I added chickpeas to the recipe. I also made brown rice in the pressure cooker to soak up that yummy sauce. We had roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and sweet smoked paprika on the side, along with leftover mashed sweet potato. What a delicious feast!
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 8/7 at 1 p.m.* – Engaging Members Through Events
Your event is one of your most popular offerings, which makes it a natural reason to reach out during the year between renewals. Learn how to turn event registration into a two-way conversation instead of a one-way invite; what “no” responses can tell you that “yes” responses can’t; how to support members who can’t attend without losing the engagement opportunity; and how event data feeds into the year-two engagement picture. More info/register.
Host: PropFuel
*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 8/10 at 8 a.m. – Trade Show Health Check (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 and the usual podcast channels.
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Guest: Dana Freker Doody, Inktide Solutions
Mon 8/10 at 2 p.m. – ASAE Public Policy Webinar: Navigating Federal Grants Restrictions — Review of OMB’s Uniform Guidance Overhaul
Changes to the OMB’s rules governing how federal grant dollars flow to and are managed by grant recipients could reshape how nonprofits apply for, administer, and account for federal funding, with implications for the grant-funded work that many associations and their members rely on. Learn about the proposed changes, ongoing ASAE advocacy activities, and steps you can take to help support continued access to federal grants for nonprofits. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Speakers:
- Margarita Valdez Martínez, Chief Advocacy Officer, American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy
- Daniel Zimmerman, Senior Director of Government Relations and Policy, Governors Highway Safety Association
- Kyle Hayes (Moderator), Senior Director of Public Policy, ASAE
Tue 8/11 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives
Take a pause from busyness and learn simple mindfulness practices to ease stress and reduce the feelings of burnout. These monthly sessions, designed to help you create space in your day, include: 5 minutes to arrive and settle in, 10 minutes of guided meditation practice, and 5 minutes for questions and reflection. Every month, we explore a new area of meditation and introduce a practical skill you can carry with you. Open to everyone, no prior meditation experience required. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners
Tue 8/11 at 2 p.m. – AI Adoption for Associations: How to Move from Personal Productivity to Mission Impact
Most associations are already somewhere on the AI adoption curve. But the organizations pulling ahead use AI to reimagine how they deliver on their mission entirely, with AI securely embedded in their systems and people firmly driving the work. Learn what it takes to move from experimentation to organization-wide strategy. Get a 30/60/90-day implementation framework that helps you assess where your organization stands and identify the gaps most likely to slow you down. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speakers: Greg Starling, Head of Innovation & Growth; Kevin Fassanella, Director of Security and Compliance; and Rob Shelton, Director of Sales & Marketing | designDATA
Tue 8/11 at 2 p.m. – How Not to Blow Your Budget
From F&B to AV, the event bottom line is often determined by the small print. Learn how to avoid surprise line items in your final bill and putting your dollars where your attendees will see the value. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Speakers:
- Scott Frankel, president, Animatic Media
- Bre Maxim, CMP, account director, Bishop-McCann
Wed 8/12 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. CDT – Future-Ready Credentials: Assessing the Skills that Matter (Chicago, IL)
Translating durable (soft) skills into scalable assessment formats remains a persistent challenge within the credentialing space. Learn how credentialing bodies can effectively target the core constructs of durable skills using assessment methods that are both psychometrically sound and operationally feasible. Hear what balance can be struck between authenticity and scalability and how programs can implement approaches that are both economically viable and adaptable across diverse certification contexts. Location: Chicago, IL. More info/register.
Host: Certification Network Group
Speakers:
- Kirk Becker, Senior Research Scientist, Pearson Vue
- Andre Allen, Chief Business Officer, HRCI
Wed 8/12 at 11 a.m. – How LMS Pricing Really Works
LMS pricing is often confusing by design. Learn the most common pricing models, including active users, registered users, portals, implementation fees, support tiers and overage charges. Get practical strategies for negotiating smarter agreements. More info/register.
Host: Talented Learning
Speaker: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst, Talented Learning
Wed 8/12 at 12 p.m. – Loyalty by Design: Build a Community People Never Want to Leave
Get a practical framework for designing loyalty into your member journey from the ground up. Learn about the key behavioral and emotional drivers that turn members into long-term advocates; common loyalty pitfalls and how to avoid designing experiences that unintentionally erode trust; and actionable strategies you can apply across your team, product, and brand. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: GrowthZone
Speaker: customer loyalty expert Jason Milen
Wed 8/12 at 1 p.m. – Reggie Henry: A Conversation
Hear lessons from a career spent at the center of associations, including what Reggie has learned about leadership and how he has adapted over the years, how technology professionals need to position themselves in member-centric organizations, and where associations should be thinking differently about and planning for the future. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Fonteva
Guest: Reggie Henry, CAE, Chief Information & Performance Excellence Officer, ASAE
Wed 8/12 at ???? – Backstage Briefing: Power, Planning, and the Glass Ceiling: Female Leaders in Meetings
According to the PCMA Foundation’s Advancing Women in Business Events report, women account for 86% of meeting and event planners in the U.S. but hold just 16% of senior leadership positions globally. Hear why that gap persists and what needs to change. Learn about the structural barriers that continue to limit advancement and how organizations can build stronger leadership pipelines. Hear from women who have navigated their way into executive leadership while opening doors for others. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Skift
Speakers:
- Elaine Lou Cartas, Business & Executive Coach
- Monique Ruff-Bell, Chief Program and Strategy Officer, TED Conferences
Thu 8/13 at 12 p.m. – Stop Running to Stand Still: What Healthcare Association Executives Actually Need Right Now
Hear healthcare association leader discuss GrowthZone’s 2026 Healthcare Association Executive Survey and what healthcare association executives told us about their biggest challenges. Get a clear picture of where your peers stand on member value, AI adoption, community platforms, and AMS satisfaction. More info/register.
Host: GrowthZone
Sat 8/15 at 4 p.m. – AWTC @ ASAE Annual Happy Hour (Indianapolis, IN)
Join the Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC) community for an evening of great conversations, new connections, and a well-earned drink. Whether you’re a longtime AWTC member, attending your first ASAE Annual Meeting, or simply looking to meet fellow association professionals passionate about technology, you’re invited. Come solo or bring your colleagues—we’ll make sure you leave with new connections. Location: Indianapolis, IN. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Sun 8/16 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. – Noche Latina
Join us during ASAE Annual for Association Latinos’ signature Noche Latina—an unforgettable evening where la cultura, la música, and community come together! Connect with association professionals from across the country while enjoying vibrant musica Latina, dancing, delicious food, and meaningful networking. Whether you’re ready to hit the dance floor or simply conectar y celebrar, there’s a place for you at the table. More info/register.
Host: Association Latinos
Tue 8/18 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Virtual Co-Working Session
Virtual co-working is an online gathering where participants spend dedicated time working alongside one another. In the first five minutes, brief introductions: your name, organization, and the project, task, idea, or decision you hope to make progress on or complete during the session. This is not a webinar or presentation; it’s protected time to work alongside your AWTC champions. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)
Thu 8/20 at 11 a.m. – Putting Momentum Back Into Your Membership Flywheel
Most membership organizations don’t have a growth problem, they have a momentum problem and it often shows up at renewal. Learn where the flywheel leaks and a right-sized way to fix it. No rip-and-replace required. More info/register.
Hosts: Jim Thompson, Tying It Together Consulting, and Walt Rolle, Light 516
Thu 8/20 from 5 to 7 p.m. CDT – The Alliance Chicagoland Networking Event (Schaumburg, IL)
Building on the energy of our previous gatherings, this event creates space for women across the association and nonprofit space to share experiences and build relationships that support both personal and professional growth. Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or making new friends, this is an opportunity to expand your network and engage with a community that is welcoming, engaging, and supportive. Location: Schaumburg, IL. More info/register.
Host: The Alliance for Women in Associations
Fri 8/21 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 sharing good news and taking questions from the group. More info/register.
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
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