Association Brain Food: 1.23.26

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” —Marcus Aurelius

Thinking ahead… Forecasters say our region will get hit with a long-lasting ice storm this weekend. Since we live amidst trees, our power and internet could go out for several days. If the worst-case scenario happens, I probably won’t have Association Brain Food ready for Friday publication. Let’s hope the forecast changes!

Good reads for the association community

Association awards. Are your association’s award categories keeping up with what’s actually happening in your industry? OpenWater explains how to use submission data, demographics, and feedback you’re already collecting to determine which categories need a refresh, which ones to combine, and when it’s time to retire one that’s outlived its usefulness.

Association consultants. Five experienced association consultants—Barbara Armentrout, Michael Butera, Lee Duffy, Scott Oser, and Rick Whelan—share their advice for working with association clients. If you work with associations—whether you’re a consultant or industry partner—you’ll find something useful here. In the next episode, they’re going to talk about money.

CAE prep course/study group. Preparing for the May CAE Exam? If you want to pass, listen to this CAE: don’t do it alone and definitely don’t rely on cramming the week before. Rogue Tulips’ 12-week CAE Prep Course + Study Group starts February 11 or 12. You’ll get a study group, course materials, individual guidance, and small-group discussions that complement your self-directed learning. Take $25 off by registering with promo code RTBRAINFOOD.

AMS selection. Dennison & Associates covers the six essential sections of an effective RFP and the pitfalls that make qualified vendors bail before submitting proposals. They walk through proposal evaluation, assessing implementation fit, calculating multi-year costs, and figuring out whether vendors actually understand your challenges.

AI’s impact on dues revenue. Sidecar’s Mallory Mejias shares the story of two UK lawyers who opened a firm with no billable hours. Everything runs on AI and value-based pricing. If your members are professional service firms and dues are based on headcount, you’ve got a problem. AI lets firms do more work with fewer people, which means your membership revenue drops while the value you deliver stays the same. Consider value-based membership models and AI training for your members.

Attendee churn. Freeman’s new research shows event retention hovering around 30-35%—no surprise when attendees say their core objectives aren’t being met. They’ve stopped showing up based on faith that networking will be worthwhile, learning will stick, and their time will be respected. David Adler at GatheringPoint.News digs into the research and the reasons behind this change.

Non-dues revenue. Members value career resources more than their associations do and that gap leaves revenue on the table. YM Careers explains how to make money from career services such as job boards, career fairs, digital vendor guides, and recruitment guides. Each section includes tips for implementing these services and bundling them for better returns.

AI in associations. Betty’s Thomas Altman says AI in associations is standing at the edge of a chasm. If you’ve felt skeptical while watching the AI hype cycle, you’ll appreciate his argument. He explains why the “show me it works” crowd is now in charge, what that means for associations that can’t afford to gamble with member trust, and what it actually takes to make AI useful instead of just impressive.

AI slop. Charlie Guo explains how to spot AI-generated content. He walks through the telltale patterns: excessive em dashes (mind you, he said “excessive,” many of us writers have always used em dashes and always will), lists loaded with emojis, and empty metaphors and parallelisms (“it’s not about x, it’s about y”). AI detectors are useless, so pattern recognition is your best defense against AI slop. If you use AI or hire a cheap writer, you get what you pay for: industry-ignorant slop. Yeah, I’m judgy.

Sponsorships. Colleen McKenna at Intero Advisory says associations have sponsorship sales backward: they pitch what they want to sell instead of researching what companies actually need. Echoing Bruce Rosenthal’s approach, she shows how to use LinkedIn as a research tool before crafting proposals. They both suggest moving past logo placements toward partnerships where sponsors solve member problems, members get real expertise, and your association profits from making these connections.

AI and the future of work. Krish Subramanian at AI Sutra says AI won’t kill jobs, it will kill the job as a bundled arrangement. Companies won’t need full-time marketing managers when AI can handle most tasks. Instead, they’ll need someone ten hours a week for judgment calls. He predicts this unbundling creates underemployment and fractured roles, not unemployment lines. He’s optimistic about where we land, but worried about how fast we’re getting there.

Snacks

A method for AI search competitive audits that will show you how your brand measures up in AI responses | Andy Crestodina, Orbit Media Studios

Why Václav Havel matters. I had only a passing familiarity with Havel, the Czech playwright, dissident, and later president, so I’m glad I read this. | Shelly Foreshaw Brookes, The Critic

If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 37 workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. To qualify for the credits, you have to pass a test.

You never grow old at the table

These baked cod cakes are so darn good. We enjoyed the leftovers over the weekend so I’m sharing the recipe link again in case you missed it last week. Don’t have an NYT subscription? Use archive.is to pull up the recipe.

A gift from the freezer: spicy Korean-style pulled pork. I served it with pickled cucumbers and shredded cabbage in wheat tortillas. On the side, a sauté of produce drawer odds and ends: broccoli stems, carrots, jalapeño, and onion with southeast Asian pesto. I pulled the pesto from the freezer too. It’s a mix of Thai basil, mint, cilantro (now that’s a great trio), garlic, ginger, roasted peanuts, sesame oil, brown (or palm) sugar, rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, red pepper flakes, and soy sauce.

On Sunday, we had a leg of lamb roasted over potatoes, carrots, and onion. I slathered it with an herb paste (rosemary, oregano, garlic, orange/lemon zest/juice, olive oil) before roasting—a recipe from Nigella Lawson’s At My Table. On the side, kale sautéed with bacon, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, chicken broth, and dried cranberries.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

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.

Mon 1/26 at 8 a.m.* – FOCUS Your Strategic Thinking (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: Michael Butera

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Tue 1/27 at 8 a.m. – Practicing Presence in Polarized Times (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: Polarization is showing up everywhere these days—this conversation unpacks how association leaders can pause, listen, and practice accountability to build understanding rather than deepen divides. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guest: Danielle Marshall, Founder, Culture Principles

Tue 1/27 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Take a pause from the 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. These sessions are open to everyone, with no prior meditation experience required. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 1/27 at 11 a.m. – Changing Perceptions About Audit Committees – How to Better Position to be Value-Added

Most nonprofit audit committees center their attention on the back end of the annual financial statement audit process when they receive draft auditor reports. While this is an important function, audit committees can be more impactful if they shift more of their focus to the front-end of the annual audit process and expand their internal control and business practices oversight roles. Learn about the core purpose, structure, and operating cycle for an audit committee; what has shaped general perceptions related to audit committees; underlying causes leading to wide-ranging misconceptions related to audit committees; and tactics to make audit committees more value-added by expanding their scope of duties and filling additional fiduciary roles. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder at Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP

Tue 1/27 at 1 p.m. – The Best of the Best: Brand Strategies in Action

Even the best associations sometimes struggle to communicate their true value. Using real-world examples from association “Join” pages, explore how StoryBrand, Jobs to Be Done, and other strategy models can transform messaging from informative to irresistible. See how small, intentional shifts—clarifying your narrative, tapping into behavioral insights, and leveraging AI tools—can dramatically change how members connect, engage, and decide to act. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jemilah Senter, Founder, Chief Strategist + Fractional CMO at Senterpoint Strategies

Tue 1/27 at 1 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

Speakers: Pam Loeb, Principal, and Liana Gainsboro, Senior Research Analyst, Edge Research

Tue 1/27 at 1 p.m. – Leadership Continuity in Associations

Explore practical strategies for leadership continuity that go beyond naming a successor. 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 the tools to ensure continuity, stability, and resilience through leadership change. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisers

Speaker: Alison Teitelbaum, MS, MPH, CAE, Founder and Principal Consultant, AST Strategies

Tue 1/27 at 4 p.m. – Future Forward: Growing Non-dues Revenue in 2026

Hear a panel of association experts discuss ideas and strategies to grow your non-dues revenue in 2026. More info/register.

Host: Intuto

Speakers:

Sean Soth, Founder, Professionals for Association Revenue
Maria Jaba, Hospital Relations Manager, Society of Critical Care Medicine
Brittany Shoul, Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Operations, MCI USA
Ryan MacTaggart, Ph.D. Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE
Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed. (moderator), Director of Client Partnerships, North America, Intuto

Wed 1/28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – EventTech Platforms Demo Day

See presentations from industry partners that offer event tech platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Personify A2Z Events, Swapcard, Momentive Event Management, EVA Event Tech Hub, Cadmium, eShow, Personify Registration Tech, eventPower, Event.Quest by Insight Guide, Popshap

Wed 1/28 at 11 a.m. – Strategic Foresight Without the Fatigue: Leading the Future While Surviving the Present (In Partnership with the Association Transformation Podcast)

Learn how to develop a realistic foresight practice that fits real-world capacity and the work you’re already doing; apply language to defend operational excellence while advancing strategic priorities and managing board expectations; distinguish between foresight that genuinely serves your organization and performative future-gazing that drains time, energy, and resources; and weave foresight into board agendas, team conversations, and decision-making processes without creating parallel workstreams or exhausting your leadership team. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Elisa Pratt, Chief Executive and Founder, Brewer Pratt Solutions LLC
Andrew Chamberlain, Executive Director, UK’s Institute of Association Leadership

Wed 1/28 at 11:30 a.m. – 10 Things to Automate in 2026

Hear about ten everyday tasks you can automate in 2026 to save time and reduce friction, all designed to fit naturally into your existing workflows, not add more work. Learn about actionable automation ideas you can apply immediately, ways to eliminate repetitive tasks and common bottlenecks, working with your technology partner to spot high-impact automation opportunities, and practical tips for making changes that actually stick. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

Wed 1/28 at 12 p.m. – Pinpoint and Conquer the Barriers to Association Growth

Are you ready to stop focusing on external chaos and finally diagnose the internal barriers holding your association back? Explore the four deep, structural barriers that consistently block associations from achieving sustainable growth and momentum, even amidst external disruption. Get a clear action plan to overcome these barriers and put a halt to the high cost of inaction. Learn about Halmyre’s new, free diagnostic tool, which helps you quickly identify the biggest growth threat to your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Halmyre

Speaker: Christine Saunders, President & Founder, Halmyre

Wed 1/28 at 12 p.m. – The Top 2 Conflict Tools You Need in Today’s Environment

Learn about the Ladder of Inference and the Behavior/Impact Feedback method—critical tools in situations where you need to slow the conversation down. More info/register.

Host: Jamie Notter

Wed 1/28 at 12 p.m. – From Dues Decline to Demand: Rebuilding Member Value in a Noisy World

Learn why members aren’t renewing or joining, how their expectations have shifted, and—most importantly—how to rebuild and communicate value so membership feels essential, not optional. More info/register.

Host: Joe John, CEO, John Consulting

Wed 1/28 at 1 p.m. – What to Do When Things Go Sideways (and Everyone’s Still Looking at You)

Hear about a simple way to recognize the difference between problem-solving and identity disruption. Learn language to name uncertainty without losing credibility or confidence. Get practical tools for rebuilding self-trust when clarity is incomplete. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: KiKi L’Italien, Founder and CEO, Amplified Growth

Wed 1/28 at 1 p.m. – Redefining Member Value Through Personalized Experiences

Explore how AI-powered personalization is redefining what members consider valuable in their membership—and how your association can deliver it without straining limited resources. Learn why personalization has become the new baseline for member expectations, see real-world examples of associations achieving success through AI-driven initiatives, and discover a practical roadmap for implementing personalized experiences that drive measurable improvements in engagement, retention, and non-dues revenue. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Molly Quast, Director of Growth and Strategy at rasa.io

Wed 1/28 at 1 p.m. – Leveraging LinkedIn: Essential Digital-First Strategies for Meeting Planners

Learn how to use LinkedIn as a strategic lever to elevate your events, your speakers, and your own professional brand. Hear about shifts in audience behavior, why engagement now matters more than announcements, and how planners can turn everyday content into a magnet for attendees, partners and decision-makers. Take away a simple, repeatable framework for amplifying your events and strengthening your influence across your industry. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Richard Bliss, CEO, BlissPoint Consulting

Wed 1/28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. – The TL;DR Content Marketing Strategy Workshop

Learn how to define what modern content marketing looks like—and set goals that align with business growth; design an operational model that balances creativity with accountability; treat your content as a product with purpose and repeatable storytelling value; and build a measurement framework that proves progress and drives smarter decisions. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speaker: Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute

Wed 1/28 at 2 p.m. – Stretching the Dollar – Doing More With What You’ve Got

Explore creative strategies and practical solutions for getting the most from your meetings dollars without compromising on the experience. Learn how to prioritize spending for maximum impact. Discover innovative ways to save without sacrificing quality. Gain practical tips on negotiating favorable terms and securing discounts with vendors and venues. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Amy Black, CMP, Director of Experience Design & Strategic Sourcing, Creative Group
Bre Maxim, CMP, Account Director, Bishop-McCann
Lisa Grimaldi (moderator), Editor, Incentives and Destinations, Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 1/29 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. – LMS Demo Day (Learning Business Summit)

See 45-minute demonstrations of learning management systems for associations. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning

Participants: D2L Brightspace, MapleLMS, TopClass LMS by ASI, Elevate by Cadmium, Journey by Forj, BenchPrep, Oasis LMS, EthosCE by Cadmium

Thu 1/29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – AI Game Show for Event Marketers

Hear industry experts share real-world AI strategies you can actually use—while keeping the fun, competition, and surprises turned all the way up. From personalizing attendee journeys and automating ticketing to designing creative assets and unlocking powerful insights from data, this session is packed with practical, no-fluff tactics to help you plan smarter, market faster, and deliver more impactful events. More info/register.

Host: Zuddl

Thu 1/29 at 11 a.m. – The Chief Event Officer’s Playbook: How to Create Transformational Events

Learn how to design purpose-led events that align with customer, business or association goals. Get practical frameworks for eventplanning, stakeholder engagement and measurement of success. Hear real-world examples and case studies. Hear how to ensure your event delivers value not just to attendees — but to sponsors, exhibitors and your broader business/community. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

Sasha Frieze, Author of The Chief Event Officer and Event Strategist
Zach Butler, EMEA General Manager, HumanX
Abi Cannons, Senior Strategic Account Manager, Grip

Thu 1/29 at 12 p.m. – Future-Proofing Your Mission: How Nonprofits Can Lead with AI

Gain a foundational understanding of essential AI concepts, explore a simple framework to evaluate their organization’s readiness for AI adoption, and learn how to build a realistic, mission-aligned roadmap for integrating AI tools. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: FAR, the Nonprofit Business Leaders’ Network

Speaker: Zeev Wexler, AI Thought Leader, Business Strategist, and CEO of Wexler Marketing and Viacry

Thu 1/29 at 1 p.m. – Jeopardy!™-Style Association Ethics Showdown: Test Your Knowledge and Win!

Using fun and engaging Jeopardy!™-style quiz format, you will dive into real-world and created scenarios and assess your ethical reasoning in categories like “(Bored) of Ethics,” “The Ethical CEO,” “Ethical IP,” and “Is (IT) Ethical?” Compete against your peers to determine whether certain behaviors are ethical or not—and, more importantly, why. Explore the rationale behind ethical decision-making, while having a chance to win some (fake) cash. 1 CAE Ethics credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Adrienne Bryant, Program Director at Customer Experience Professionals Association

Thu 1/29 at 1 p.m. – Pathways to Success: Turn Your LMS into a Guided Learning Experience

Gain a greater understanding of the value of learning paths in driving learner engagement and retention. Learn about the key components of an effective learning path within an LMS, a design for a basic learning path aligned with organizational objectives, strategies for reporting and measuring the success of learning paths, and best practices to enhance member experience through structured learning journeys. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Thu 1/29 at 1 p.m. – The Future of Finance for Associations | Solving the Commerce-to-Accounting Gap

Explore what it takes to streamline financial data from multiple sources, why traditional AMS tools often fall short, and how new solutions can bridge the accounting gap. Get practical insights into creating a modern, integrated ecosystem that keeps your finance and membership data in sync, without the headaches. More info/register.

Hosts:

Jeff Horne, Co-Founder & CEO at Wicket
Andrew Schwartz Crane CMA, CEO of SoundPost

Thu 1/29 at 2 p.m. – Just in Time: A Look Ahead at 2026 Macro Trends with McKinsey

In a moment of uncertainty, taking a pause to consider the macro and structural forces shaping the environment in which associations operate is vital. The McKinsey Global Institute’s Kevin Russell will walk through the key trends McKinsey is watching for 2026. From tariffs and AI’s impact on the economy to geopolitical shifts and demographic change, this session will explore the forces reshaping the world so association leaders can more confidently chart their path forward. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (free for ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Tue 2/3 at 11 a.m. – How to Build a Podcast to Foster Trust and Engagement Within a Professional Community – Part 1: The Foundation of a Great Podcast

Learn how to lay a strong foundation for starting a podcast—from identifying your audience and defining your niche to choosing the right tools and setting up your content structure. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Kate Coffey-Bacon, SVP of Marketing and Strategy, US Transactions Corporation/UST Education
Ben Muscolino, CEO of Breezio and AssociationWire including AMS Geek & Data Sangria, Co-Founder/Executive Chairman of Vortacity Cyber
Jake Toohey, Director, Association Practice at Adage Technologies

Tue 2/3 at 1 p.m. – Turning Chaos Into Opportunity: Staffing Strategies for Associations in a Shifting Labor Market

Discover how to streamline resume review, leverage technology effectively, and bring in flexible talent exactly when and where you need it. Walk away with practical strategies to keep your organization nimble, make smarter hiring decisions, and thrive in today’s evolving workforce. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jaime Hirschfeld, Director of Client Sales and Services at FlexProfessionals LLC

Wed 2/4 at 11 a.m. – Association Lessons from… 50 Seasons of Survivor!

Explore what lessons this quarter-century television phenomenon can hold for your association and its leadership, member engagement, and a connected community. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed., Chief Communications Officer/Owner at CQbd

Thu 2/5 at 11 a.m. – Be AI-Gile: Reimagining Association Education for the Future of Work

Learn how to use the Be AI-gile framework—Observe the Chaos, Start Light / Move Fast, Act with Intention, Reflect & Reframe—to re-think what association education can (and should) be in the next decade. Hear how to use emerging tools and partnerships to create learning that sticks, supports the future of work, and positions your association as a true talent-development engine. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Josh Yavelberg, founder/chief solutions architect, Flying Cloud Solutions

Thu 2/5 at 11 a.m. – Suit Yourself – Build a Work Wardrobe that Works for You

Learn how to curate a visual identity that honors who you are and is an asset to your career. Learn tips to bring more ease and joy to dressing each day. Rooted in research from the field of psychology about how our clothes impact both our performance and how others perceive us, we will also deconstruct dressing toward “executive presence.” More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Ali Miller, ECO, Founder and CEO of The Ethical Aesthete

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 Osman Rana via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 1.16.26

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

“The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.” —L.P. Hartley

Good reads for the association community

Attendee engagement. Most associations send one survey after their conference ends. This Clowder post recommends using your mobile app to survey before, during, and after your event. Learn about attendee interests beforehand, collect session feedback while it’s fresh, fix problems in real time, and keep attendees engaged year-round. Watch what happens: your app surveys will get double or triple the response rates of email surveys.

Membership value. Chris Vaughan from Sequence Consulting tackles a problem that half of associations face—flat or declining membership. He shares six strategies for building lasting membership value and growth: showing real results to members, keeping them engaged between events, using AI in daily operations, finding new revenue sources, connecting fragmented data, and making renewal painless. You’ll find lots of great ideas in his association examples.

Scaling online education programs. If you already run education programs, this D2L guide skips the “how to create courses” advice and gets straight to what matters: growing your audience and revenue without diluting quality or exhausting staff. They share five revenue models, plus the impact on relationships, cost considerations, and the LMS support you need.

Free marketing design/copy course. Learn how to evaluate marketing layout and copy in the Association Academy’s free Association Creative Marketing Masterclass. Each class is taught live by top association marketers and features a live review of real association marketing collateral with recommendations. Earn up to four CAE credits in this free course, which runs for four weeks on Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting January 22.

Membership edge. Mallory Mejias at Sidecar interviewed a lawyer who said his bar association is no longer the best resource for building a modern practice. Instead, he and his peers rely on ChatGPT and Reddit. Members are judging professional tools and communities by how useful they are every day. Associations should double down on what they have that ChatGPT and Reddit don’t.

Vendor contracts. Ellipsis Partners shows you how to better negotiate contracts and avoid surprises that could cost your association thousands or lock you into unfavorable terms. Their contract checklist covers crucial stuff, such as project management, deliverables, IP, data security, fees, renewals, disputes, and your exit strategy. They flag what to watch for, which language to negotiate, and how to protect yourself from scope creep, surprise costs, and vendor lock-in.

Survey for association boards. Please encourage your board directors and officers to share what they think about serving on association boards in the ‘What Board Members Think’ Association Community Survey run by Jeff De Cagna of Foresight First LLC. Their input will help Jeff and the Future of Association Boards community elevate board performance in 2026 and beyond.

Event trends. Anick Beaulieu of C2 says, “People no longer want to simply ‘attend’ an experience—they want to shape it, influence it, and feel responsible for what unfolds.” At Trade Show News Network, she describes three big shifts for events this year, including events as year-round cultural engines.

Snacks

Six parts of your culture that make change easier—a must-read if you have tech projects coming up. | Jamie Notter

An essential primer on association membership marketing. | Jana Darling of Marketing General via Fox Associates

Are AEO and GEO more important than SEO? You might not like her answer but this is our new reality, so plan for it. | Joanne Pineda, Matrix Group

Excellent read… Iranians just want a normal country: a complex and radical ideology undergirds the current uprising. Hoping and praying the people of Iran get the help and relief they need from us and the rest of the civilized world. | Roohola Ramezani, Persuasion

You never grow old at the table

If you like crab cakes and you like fish, then you’ll like cod cakes—or whichever-fish-you-prefer cakes. I’ve made them with flounder and black drum. I had a bag of frozen cod, so cod cakes it was. I bake mine at 400 instead of frying them. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon, red onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, plus a roasted sweet potato.

An old standby, chipotle salmon, made for a quick dinner another night. On the side, leftover butternut squash purée and steamed green beans tossed with sautéed onion, bacon, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan.

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Fri 1/16 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 main topic is: how to create and keep a positive mindset. Also on the agenda: 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.

Mon 1/19 at 8 a.m. – Branding (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Lidia Varesco Racoma

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

Tue 1/20 at 12 p.m. – The Volunteer Lifecycle: Engagement at Every Stage (CRVM Crunch and Munch)

Join an open discussion on building engagement throughout the volunteer lifecycle. Explore strategies, successes, and challenges in implementing engagement-focused volunteer programs. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitator: Rachel Grimes, Member Engagement Specialist, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration

Key contributors:

Anik Clemens, Regional Director, International Coaching Federation
William Webber, Sr. Manager, Component Services, Council for Exceptional Children

Tue 1/20 at 3 p.m. – Winning in a Skills-First Workforce: Rethinking Events, Content, and Learning for Today’s Professionals

Learn about the shift to a skills-first professional development model and why information-based learning no longer meets learner expectations—especially for Millennial and Gen Z audiences. Learn frameworks for integrating events into a unified learning portfolio, enabling stronger outcomes, greater engagement, and clearer pathways for learner growth. Hear how accessibility and inclusion practices in learning + events shape learner trust, perceived value, and organizational credibility. Leave with practical steps to leverage existing resources and programs to deliver higher-impact, skills-driven professional development. More info/register.

Host: Cadmium

Speakers:

Tracy King, MA, CAE, Chief Learning Strategist & CEO, InspirEd
Rachel Buczynski, M.S.Ed, CAE, Events Director, InspirEd

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 11:30 a.m. – New Year, Stellar Board: Key Financial Information for Nonprofit Boards

Learn how to support the onboarding and ongoing engagement of successful board members—even those new to financial statements. Hear about best practices for board education and onboarding, clarify financial reporting, and empower your board to make informed decisions. Through real-world case studies, learn ways to effectively convey a financial message to engage your board. More info/register.

Host: Your Part-Time Controller

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 12 p.m. – Bridging the Gap or Breaking It? Rethinking Generational Marketing in Associations

As associations struggle with attracting new members and retaining existing ones across wildly different age groups, it’s time to question whether traditional generational marketing still works or if it’s holding us back. Challenge your assumptions about Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, and explore a more dynamic, data-driven approach to member engagement. Learn how to look beyond demographics and tap into real behavioral insights to craft campaigns that truly connect. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – PCI Compliance for Nonprofits & Associations

Many nonprofits and associations don’t realize that how they accept credit cards can quietly expose them to massive risk, cost, and compliance obligations. In this non-technical, practical webinar, we’ll break down: what PCI compliance really is (and why it exists); why “true” PCI compliance is often unrealistic for small and mid-sized nonprofits; what the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) means in plain English; the differences between PCI SAQs (A, B, C, D) and why SAQ A should be your goal; why taking credit cards over the phone or email is so dangerous; how to safely assist members/donors while never touching card data; and how to use secure payment links via email or text instead. More info/register.

Host: Brian Scott, President / CTO / CISO, ClearTone Consulting LLC

Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – 2025 Year in Review for Federal Government Grants

Learn about changes and challenges from 2025, including the impact of executive orders and related litigation, as well as government guidance, such as the July 2025 Bondi memo pertaining to nondiscrimination requirements and DEI. Hear about the impact of these developments on related activities, such as contracting with disadvantaged business enterprises. Get an update on expected changes to the Uniform Guidance, 2 C.F.R. Part 200, as such changes were directed by executive order in summer 2025. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers: grant law practitioners Dismas (Diz) Locaria and Scott S. Sheffler, partners, Venable LLP

Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – Stop Building eLearning like it’s 2010: Why eLearning Still Takes Months to Build and How to Fix It

Associations are being asked to do the impossible. More courses. Higher quality. Shorter timelines. All with a production model that still takes months to deliver one hour of eLearning. That is not a talent problem. It is not an effort problem. It is a system problem. Learn why eLearning production is still broken and you can fix it. More info/register.

Hosts: Sam Hirsch of Oasis LMS and Dan Streeter of MissionFuel

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

Wed 1/21 at 2 p.m. – GOAT Awards: Advancing Association Business

Join us to hear directly from these remarkable GOAT Honorees as they share must-have strategies, bold ideas, and practical wisdom that you can use to elevate your association’s impact and growth. This inspiring dialogue is your chance to gain fresh perspectives, actionable takeaways, and connect with the very best minds advancing the practice of association business. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speakers:

Dan Cole, Sr. Director, Exposition Sales, Audio Video Integrated Experience Association
Krystle Kopacz, CEO, Revmade
Carrie McIntyre, Principal, Navigate
Brittany Shoul, SVP, Revenue Strategy & Operations, MCI USA
Sean Soth, Founder & Leadership Advisory Board Chair, Professionals for Association Revenue
Jen Smith, Executive Director, Professionals for Association Revenue

Wed 1/21 at 2 p.m. – 2026 Association Trends Revealed: What Leaders Are Prioritizing (and Why)

Learn about the findings from GrowthZone’s 2026 Association Survey, including key trends and takeaways that can inform your strategy for the year ahead. Hear expert analysis and practical recommendations based on what your peers reported regarding: top challenges and areas of concern, effective reinstatement and retention strategies, innovative non-dues revenue opportunities, and additional insights shaping the future of associations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers: Shari Pash and Scott Robertson

Thu 1/22 at 10 a.m. – Cybersecurity & Communications Risk in 2026: Strengthening Data Security, VoIP Systems, and Operational Resilience

Learn about the most significant cybersecurity and communications risks nonprofit organizations should be planning for in 2026, including emerging threat patterns, regulatory considerations, and real-world scenarios affecting organizations with limited resources and increasing digital complexity. Find out why donor and member privacy, email, and communications security remain critical leadership concerns; how modern IT and VoIP environments introduce new exposure—and where risks often go unnoticed; and how to strengthen security and resilience in the year ahead. More info/register.

Host: OptfinITy

Speakers:

Michael Drobnis, CEO, OptfinITy
Charlotte Conroy, Managing Partner, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Recent Communications, Inc.

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 12 p.m. – What’s in Store for Associations in 2026?

Tune in for a clear assessment of the opportunities and risks facing Canadian associations in 2026, with a focus on how sponsor and member retention will shape your ability to navigate the year ahead. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

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

Thu 1/22 at 3 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Learn about the basics and importance of generative AI and Large Language Models. Witness the power of AI tools through live demonstrations that showcase their impact on real-world scenarios. Learn to create targeted personas in ChatGPT for personalized content and interactions, which settings to adjust for privacy and security, and what information is safe to input into AI tools. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
Thomas Altman, Co-founder, Tasio

Tue 1/27 at 8 a.m. – Practicing Presence in Polarized Times (Nonprofit Mission: Impact)

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guest: Danielle Marshall, Founder, Culture Principles

Tue 1/27 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 1/27 at 11 a.m. – Changing Perceptions About Audit Committees – How to Better Position to be Value-Added

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder at Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP

Tue 1/27 at 11 a.m. – The Best of the Best: Brand Strategies in Action

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jemilah Senter, Founder, Chief Strategist + Fractional CMO at Senterpoint Strategies

Tue 1/27 at 4 p.m. – Future Forward: Growing Non-dues Revenue in 2026

Hear a panel of association experts discuss ideas and strategies to grow your non-dues revenue in 2026. More info/register.

Host: Intuto

Speakers:

Sean Soth, Founder, Professionals for Association Revenue
Maria Jaba, Hospital Relations Manager, Society of Critical Care Medicine
Brittany Shoul, Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Operations, MCI USA
Ryan MacTaggart, Ph.D. Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE
Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed. (moderator), Director of Client Partnerships, North America, Intuto

Wed 1/28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – EventTech Platforms Demo Day

See presentations from industry partners that offer event tech platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Personify A2Z Events, Swapcard, Momentive Event Management, EVA Event Tech Hub, Cadmium, eShow, Personify Registration Tech, eventPower, Event.Quest by Insight Guide, Popshap

Wed 1/28 at 11:30 a.m. – 10 Things to Automate in 2026

Host: iMIS by ASI

Wed 1/28 at 12 p.m. – Pinpoint and Conquer the Barriers to Association Growth

Host: Halmyre

Speaker: Christine Saunders, President & Founder, Halmyre

Wed 1/28 at 12 p.m. – The Top 2 Conflict Tools You Need in Today’s Environment

More info/register.

Host: Jamie Notter

Thu 1/29 at 1 p.m. – Jeopardy!™-Style Association Ethics Showdown: Test Your Knowledge and Win!

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Adrienne Bryant, Program Director at Customer Experience Professionals Association

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.

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Association Brain Food: 1.9.26

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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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)

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Host: James Young, founder, Product Community

Thu 1/22 at 2 p.m. – Scaling Non-Dues Revenue: How TIA Built a Centralized Media Hub

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

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

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, and Rogue Tulips links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 12.19.25

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.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

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)

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

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

Host: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst, Talented Learning

Wed 1/14 at 11 a.m. – How Much Should Nonprofits Hold In Reserve?

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

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

Amazon and AssociationBrainFood.com links allow me to earn a royalty from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 12.12.25

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

The last Association Brain Food of the year on December 19 will include educational events for the rest of the year and the first two weeks of January since I’m not publishing December 26 or January 2. Please send me information by Wednesday afternoon, December 17, about any educational events you plan to host before January 9.

Good reads for the association community

Awards judging experience. If you still manage awards judging with spreadsheets and email attachments, maybe that’s why judges don’t come back. OpenWater explains what drives volunteers away and how to make judging feel less like a second job. Fix the judging experience instead of begging harder.

Associations’ product development advantage. Mallory Mejias at Sidecar argues associations are better positioned than startups to build AI products for their industries. She shares the example of the Institute of Food Technologists and their AI-enabled platform that helps food scientists accelerate product development. She calls this the ‘right to win’ advantage—the assets, relationships, capabilities, and positioning that give you an edge over startups.

Budgeting. GrowthZone outlines seven practices for building an association budget, from establishing your financial foundation to regular reviews and adjustments. The guide describes ways to protect your budget when things go sideways. The scenario planning section on membership drops and reduced event attendance feels pretty relevant right now.

Agile multi-armed associations. Carolyn Shomali at Professionals for Association Revenue says associations are naturally suited for the model described in The Octopus Organization. Octopus organizations don’t operate like rigid machines. They navigate complexity by empowering each arm to sense and adapt. She points to two Pierre Award finalists as examples: AGU’s cross-departmental innovation sprints and ASNT’s membership model simplification that generated $100,000 in new revenue.

Association consultants to the rescue. You don’t always need to hire a full-time employee for open positions. Mariama Boney, CAE, and Barbara J. Armentrout, CAE, make the case for association consultants to identify and fill talent gaps. Consultants started their careers in associations and now bring experience from dozens of clients to yours.

AMS RFPs and proposals. Dennison & Associates walks you through the RFP and proposal evaluation phase of AMS selection. They describe the six key sections of an effective RFP, common pitfalls that send vendors running, and a three-step proposal evaluation process. The cost comparison section is especially useful—vendors price things differently, so apples-to-apples comparisons get tricky fast.

SHRM’s in the news again. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) pisses off its members (and HR professionals who used to be members) every year or so. This time, a Business Insider article by Jack Newsham and Sarah E. Needleman about an $11.5 million verdict in a racial discrimination lawsuit is causing a ruckus on LinkedIn. Then Karen Ehrenberg dug into SHRM’s tax filings to see what they reveal about their internal HR practices—part one and part two. My word, what a cluster. So, what would she see if she looked at your org’s 990?

Disability accommodations. Rose Horowitch at The Atlantic reports that elite universities have seen a dramatic spike in disability accommodations, especially extra time on exams, with some campuses registering up to 34% of students as disabled. You might start seeing more members and industry professionals asking for accommodations for certification exams and educational programs.

Parenting alongside AI. Nate B. Jones offers guidance on helping kids use AI without becoming dependent on it. He describes how AI actually works (prediction, not thinking), why teenage brains are particularly vulnerable to its design, and what skills to teach kids. This practical guide for parents works for everyone else too.

Snacks

Here’s what I’d like for Christmas: a luxurious 12-day holiday train journey that takes you to Europe’s best Christmas markets. | Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure

From Southampton to Sarajevo, urban guerrilla mosaicists are transforming city spaces and bringing communities together one tile at a time. | Sumaiya Motara, The Guardian

If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 35 workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. To qualify for the credits, you have to pass a test.

You never grow old at the table

We (okay, maybe just me) have been enjoying winter temperatures here in NC, even though it’s still fall. Knowing this state’s climate, I’m sure the 70s are just around the corner. For a chilly night, I made this baked chicken and mushroom skillet. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon, red onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then tossed with a balsamic maple glaze.

Another one-pan meal, Portuguese-style cod skillet with ground chorizo, onion, red bell, jalapeño, broccoli stems, garlic, smoked paprika, white wine, canned diced tomatoes with juice, white beans, kale, lemon juice, and chunks of cod.

Chipotle salmon is easy to put together. You could skip the marinade and pour it over the fillets before baking. On the side, broccoli roasted with red onion and garlic powder, and a nuked sweet potato.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Mon 12/15 at 8 a.m.* – Crisis Communications (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Cyndee Woolley

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Tue 12/16 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Take a pause from the busyness and learn simple mindfulness practices to ease stress and reduce the feelings of burnout. These sessions are designed to help you create space in your day and 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 to carry with you. These sessions are open to everyone, with no prior meditation experience required. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 12/16 at 12 p.m. – Breaking the Third Rail: How to Modernize Association Traditions Without Destroying Your Legacy

Every association has a third rail: traditions that everyone knows are outdated, but no one dares question. These untouchables are quietly driving away the next generation of your members, but honoring your past doesn’t mean being constrained by it. Explore how association leaders can move beyond tradition-bound thinking while preserving their core mission. Get the framework and courage to lead meaningful change that doesn’t erase history but honors it enough to ensure a future. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Speakers:

Barry Schieferstein, Chief Operating Officer, The American Society for Nondestructive Testing
Kurt Heikkinen, Chief Executive Officer, Forj

Tue 12/16 at 12 p.m. – Mission-Driven Leadership: Uniting Governance and Volunteer Engagement (ASAE CRVM Crunch and Munch)

Good governance and strong volunteer leadership go hand-in-hand as they are the foundation on which associations build to achieve their missions and strategic goals. Explore effective practices in fostering mission-driven leadership at every level, from boards to committees to components, and strengthening governance and volunteer structures. Come with your questions, anecdotes, and ideas and learn from your peers from across the association industry. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Moderators: Michelle Runge, MA, CAE, and Kelly Ann Gull, CAE

Tue 12/16 at 1 p.m. – The Top 10 AI Tools Every Association Should Be Using Today

AI is more accessible than ever, offering powerful solutions to enhance member engagement, streamline operations, and improve decision-making. Explore the top 10 AI tools that associations can implement immediately to boost productivity, enhance marketing efforts, automate administrative tasks, and personalize member experiences. Take away practical insights and actionable recommendations to start leveraging AI effectively within your organization. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speakers: Kevin Ordonez, AAiP, President and Managing Director, Digital Strategy, and Kevin Marlage, Senior Consultant, .orgSource

Tue 12/16 at 1 p.m. – Step into the New Year with Intention

As the new year approaches, this is a meaningful moment to pause, reflect, and begin shaping your intentions. Join your association community to reconnect with what matters most, consider the direction you want to take, and start exploring your word of the year. Leave feeling centered and ready to enter January with clarity and purpose. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Jen Lewi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Design Your Next Step

Tue 12/16 at 1:10 p.m. – Learning Champions with Bradley Davis

Hear about three big themes shaping learning right now: how AI is freeing learning teams from tactical overload, skills-based learning as a workforce necessity, and a renewed push toward collaborative, cross-disciplinary learning experiences. Explore the tension every learning leader knows too well: Who are learning objectives really for — and what happens when our frameworks box us in? More info/register.

Hosts: Tracy King, CEO, InspirEd and Carolyn B. Thompson, President, Training Systems

Guest: Bradley Davis, Vice President of Learning Strategy, IACET

Wed 12/17 at 12 p.m. – Future-Proof Your Community: Trends Shaping the Next Era of Member Engagement

Learn how member expectations have evolved — and what they’ll demand next, strategies to modernize your engagement approach, and how to future-proof your community structure, content, and connection points. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone AMS

Speaker: community strategist Jessica Rickel

Wed 12/17 at 12 p.m. – Locking in Loyalty: 7 Proven Tactics to Boost Member Renewals

Are you heading into member renewal season? Join association executive Erin Roberts as she unpacks seven proven techniques to increase your retention rate, speed up your cash flow, and sell your member value proposition. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Wed 12/17 at 1 p.m. – Content & Marketing Trends for 2026

Learn how AI-powered search is transforming discovery, visibility, and referral traffic. Explore how technology, behavior, and creativity are reshaping marketing in the year ahead. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Bo Bandy, CMO, Alchemer
Bennie Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, American Marketing Association
Patrick Reinhart, VP of Services & Thought Leadership, Conductor
Justin Turner, Head of Thought Leadership, Reddit
Shannon Vize, Sr. Content Marketing Manager, Conductor
Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute

Wed 12/17 at 1 p.m. – Mastering Negotiation in a Constantly Evolving Market

Gain tactical, real-world strategies to elevate your negotiation skills, protect your bottom line and maximize the value of your meetings and events in a very challenging environment. Through real-life case studies and practical exercises, explore key contract clauses, explore win-win negotiation approaches and gain insider insights into how hotels evaluate and prioritize business opportunities. Take away with actionable techniques to improve leverage, mitigate risk and create strong, mutually beneficial partnerships. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Robyn Mietkiewicz, Innovation Partner, INNOV8 Meetings + Events

Wed 12/17 at 1:30 p.m. – The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Grand Finale Zoom Meeting

Join this 90-minute session during which we will wrap up our collaborative project. More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Wed 12/17 at 2 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
Thomas Altman, Co-founder, Tasio

Wed 12/17 at 2 p.m. – Ask the Attorney: Ancillary Contracts

Get answers to your questions concerning A/V, catering and other meeting contracts that must mesh with the main venue agreement. Possible topics to be addressed: hidden pitfalls in speaker agreements, convention center agreements: contract or license; and destination management agreements. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speaker: Jonathan T. Howe, Esq., president and founding partner of Howe & Hutton Ltd.

Wed 12/17 at 2:30 p.m. – Event Contracts Exposed

It’s the season for connection and curiousity! Join me for this fun year-end episode where anything goes. Submit your questions about event contracts, negotiations, or the industry in general – or just tune in as I explore quick tips, cautionary tales and practical reminders. This episode will be lighthearted, informative and a little festive – it’s the perfect way to wrap up the year together. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, founder, Planner Protect

Thu 12/18 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community. Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 12/18 at 1 p.m. – What Your CMO Wishes You Knew

Four B2B CMOs will speak openly about the state of marketing in 2025, the shifts that will define 2026, and the common gaps they see between leadership priorities and marketing execution. This isn’t another “trends” panel — it’s an unfiltered conversation straight from the C-suite. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Michael Barber, CMO, StarTech.com
Amanda Cole, CMO, Bloomreach
Cathy McPhillips, CMO, SmarterX
Ilaria Pasquinelli, CMO, LIONS
Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute

Thu 12/18 at 4 p.m. – The Ethics Edge: Frameworks, Dilemmas, and Decisions

Using the ASAE Ethics Toolkit, updated in 2025, this session will review up to three ethical scenarios for discussion via breakout groups. 1 CAE Ethics credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speakers:

Clarissa Russell, MBA, CAE, IEC, CMP, M.ASCE, Director of Convention & Event Services, ASCE
Ann Link, CAE, Chief Operations Officer, National Association of Regional Councils

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 the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and AI and its impact on consulting. More info/register.

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Creative Commons licensed photo by Ann via Unsplash

Amazon and AssociationBrainFood.com links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 12.5.25

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

“It is a most wonderful comfort to sit alone beneath a lamp, book spread before you, and commune with someone from the past whom you have never met.” —Yoshida Kenko

Good reads for the association community

Do employers value your credentials? TopClass LMS makes a convincing case for flipping your credential design process on its head—start with what hiring managers actually need when choosing between candidates, then work backward. With this approach, you’re partnering with employers, instead of trying to convince them to buy.

Career resources. Members with career questions and crises aren’t visiting your website career center. Clowder describes how to put career resources where members actually are—in their phones. They explain how to turn your membership app into a mobile career hub with job boards, mentoring spaces, quick career tips in the news feed, and more. Bonus: members who rely on your app for career support don’t question membership value at renewal time.

Webinar engagement. What cues do webinar hosts give that essentially tell attendees: go ahead and multitask? And, uh oh, might you be giving them? Amanda Lea Kaiser reverse engineers the problem, shows you which mistakes to fix, and helps you earn your attendees’ engagement and loyalty.

The soul forged in friction. We solved scarcity but created something worse: a crisis of significance. Carlo Iacono (a regular in these pages lately) says we’ve stripped away the labor and struggle that create psychological investment and make work meaningful. We mistake fluency for learning. His conclusion? Technology isn’t the problem. We’re the ones removing the conditions that help us grow.

Membership marketing for small associations. YourMembership shares ten membership marketing tactics for small-staff associations. They cover recruitment, onboarding, renewals, communications, feedback, and membership models—the entire member lifecycle. Their advice works regardless of your AMS or tech stack.

Abundant priorities. When two consultants publish posts about managing multiple priorities, you know they’re seeing this problem in their client organizations. Chances are, your plate is just as full. Lindsay Thomas at Event Garde explains how to maintain momentum when every project feels like a priority. Sherry Budziak at .orgSource advises you to start with courageous clarity, then shows you how to bring more focus and impact to your strategy.

Takeaways from the digitalNow conference. Jason King at Accella shares his top five takeaways from digitalNow. They circle around one theme: “AI isn’t just about automation, it’s about enablement.” Sidecar, the company behind digitalNow, profiles four regular associations—not gargantuan ones with deep pockets—experimenting with AI to work smarter, get more strategic clarity, or give members more value.

Snacks

What is wrong with people? Go where you’re invited! Ghosting is neither acceptable nor charming. | Katherine Martinko

This essay about consciousness wanders through left and right brain hemispheres, quantum physics, mysticism, near-death experiences, flying saints, poetry, and God. The thesis? Consciousness is a fundamental property of the universe, not something produced by the human brain. It’s more widely dispersed, perhaps even a field the brain taps into, like a radio finding a frequency. Got all that? | Christian Wiman, Harpers

From darkness to light: slow down and reclaim Advent. | Tsh Oxenreider, Hearth and Field

You never grow old at the table

I’m definitely making this red beans and rice recipe again, it was sooo good. I wondered about using kidney beans but I wonder no more. My only adjustment: adding poblano and jalapeño peppers and serving it over brown rice made in the pressure cooker. I did a manual release, otherwise the rice gets too mushy.

On the side, spicy roasted Brussels sprouts. What a wild flavor combo, too many flavors in my opinion. I’ll make a slimmed-down version next time.

This bratwurst, cabbage, and white beans skillet recipe is a favorite. I use white beans instead of noodles, omit the bacon, and add mushrooms, red bell, poblano, and jalapeño peppers.

I made a half-batch of eggnog to bring over for Thanksgiving happy hour. I’ve been making this recipe for decades. Since my moves across country (twice), fans lament its absence in Arlington VA and Sacramento CA. Best nog ever, that’s what we all say.

My main contribution to the Thanksgiving table was sweet potato cranberry bake. I cut the brown sugar back a bit so it wasn’t overly sweet.

Every Thanksgiving table deserves a bowl of fresh cranberry sauce. This year, I brought cranberry-ginger chutney. My changes: add jalapeño and orange zest, use maple syrup instead of honey and brown sugar instead of sugar, and double the ginger. I also brought my fat separator and flat whisk to make the gravy.

For dessert, Ina Garten’s apple pie bars. Last time I made these, I blind-baked the crust per the recipe but it was too hard. By pulling it out of the oven a few minutes earlier, it was perfect. Highly recommend these bars.

The day after Thanksgiving, we had a bunch of family and framily over to watch the Eagles. Jim made venison chili, and I made smoked gouda and chorizo stuffed jalapeños from Sunny Anderson—one of my go-to apps.

I used the leftover cranberry chutney in another old favorite: cranberry chicken parmesan, strange-sounding, I know, but delicious. On the side, white beans and kale. First, I made Great Northern beans in the pressure cooker. Meanwhile, I sautéed bacon, onion, garlic, and grape tomatoes, then added the beans along with kale, red pepper flakes, fresh sage and rosemary, and chicken broth. I sprinkled it with parmesan before serving. So good.

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Fri 12/5 at 12:30 p.m.* – Clause & Effect: Ask a Lawyer (Almost) Anything

Get clear, no-fluff answers to your biggest legal questions—from RFPs to contracts and everything in between. This is your chance to ask anything about event sourcing from legal experts who get the events industry. Take away with practical tips to protect your business and boost your confidence at every stage of the planning process. More info/register.

Host: Hopskip

Speakers: event industry lawyers Barbara Dunn and Kelly Franklin

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Fri 12/5 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Governance Strategy and Foresight

Learn how ASSP successfully modernized its governance model to ensure the organization’s board and leadership are directly informed by strategic foresight and trend research. This shift, which included transitioning to an Advisory Group model, was essential for creating an agile, accountable structure that can swiftly respond to market trends and future challenges, effectively linking the organization’s long-term sustainability to its ability to anticipate the future. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group

Speaker: Jennifer McNelly, CAE, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

Fri 12/5 at 2 p.m. – Association Rockstars Roundtable

The annual Association Rockstar’s Roundtable features 2025 reflections and projections for 2026. Hear valuable perspectives to help you close the year on a high note and prepare for 2026 with confidence—perfect for association executives, nonprofit leaders, and community builders looking to spark innovation and deepen connections. More info/register.

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova

Mon 12/8 at 8 a.m. – How to Create a Simple and Effective Nonprofit Content Calendar (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Lidia Varesco Racoma

Mon 12/8 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays: Gold Circle Edition

AANA, winner of the Gold Circle Award in the Member Recruitment Category in 2025, shares their award-winning recruitment campaign that generated nearly $150,000 in new member revenue. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Martha Smith, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

Tue 12/9 at 11 a.m. – Better Mouse, Better Mousetrap: Making the Shift to Phishing-Resistant MFA

Find out why standard multi-factor authentication (MFA) is no longer enough and how organizations can protect their assets with phishing-resistant MFA solutions. Learn about cryptographic authentication methods, such as Passkeys and Windows Hello for Business, that bind credentials to both the device and the user, making stolen credentials useless to attackers. Get a firsthand look via a live demo at how phishing attacks are perpetrated and how phishing-resistant MFA works to thwart these attempts and create a seamless and secure login experience for staff. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Andrew Leggett, Director, Cybersecurity, and Chris Ecker, Chief Technology Officer, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 12/9 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: Year-End Wrap-up – What Did You Resolve in 2025?

Before you set your goals for 2026, let’s celebrate what you and your organization resolved to tackle and triumph over in 2025. This is your moment to share what challenge your team finally resolved, what innovation or process improvement you’re proud of, what Tech Tuesday insight fueled progress in 2025, and what you’re carrying forward with confidence into 2026. 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 12/9 at 1 p.m. – The Audience Advantage: How Well-Crafted Personas Power Smarter Web Strategies

Learn how to craft research-informed personas that bridge what your users need with what your organization provides—then use them to shape your site’s information architecture, content, calls to action, and measurement. Get a practical, lightweight framework, sample questions you can use tomorrow, and real examples that turn “user-centered” from a motto into measurable results. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Marcie Peck, Director of Client Partnerships, and Bree Richmond, Director of Strategy, Yoko Co

Tue 12/9 at 1 p.m. – Learning = Earning: Turn Content into Non-Dues Revenue

Explore how to convert institutional knowledge into profitable education with real case studies from associations that turned a loss-making education department into a thriving profit center. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisers

Speaker: Jerry McCoy, Chief Financial Officer, Mission Fuel AI, Inc

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Component Benchmarking Virtual Meet-Up: Design Session – Turning Insights into Action

Building on the benchmarking insights, this interactive design session invites participants to co-create practical, impactful strategies for component and chapter success. Using a guided process of framing challenges, sharing ideas, and shaping next steps together, we’ll turn data into direction—leaving you with clear, actionable concepts to apply in your organization. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members and Mariner Management

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course Information Session

Learn about the Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course in January 2026. The Director Course is the association community’s first-ever dedicated learning and development experience specifically for board directors. More info/register.

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – The Future of Job Search and Member Engagement: Panel Discussion for Associations

Hear how AI and innovation are reshaping career development—and what that means for your members. Learn about trends to watch in 2026 from AI-driven recruiting to evolving jobs and association budgets. Explore how to position your association as the go-to career destination, strengthen year-round member engagement, tailor career growth and learning opportunities to meet the needs of every generation, bridge the member–professional gap, and unlock new sources of non-dues revenue. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Tue 12/9 at 4 p.m. – Returning from the Summit: Enduring Lessons from RevUP

Hear an all-star panel of industry leaders cut through the noise and share their most actionable strategies, key takeaways, and highlights from the conference. It’s the perfect way to get the best insights to fuel your association’s growth in the new year. More info/register.

Host: Intuto

Moderator: Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed., Director of Client Partnerships, North America, Intuto

Speakers:

Lindsay Currie, CAE, Executive Officer, Council on Undergraduate Research
Robb Lee, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Jen Smith, Executive Director, Professionals for Association Revenue
Nikole TenBrink, MPA, CAE, Chief Membership & Marketing Officer, Society for Corporate Governance

Tue 12/9 at 4:30 p.m. – 2025 End of Year Happy Hour (Washington DC)

Come connect with the AWTC community of women and allies. This in-person opportunity to socialize and network with your industry peers will be filled with holiday spirit and is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 12/10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – What You Need to Know to Thrive in 2026 (Washington DC)

Discuss key external factors that will be influencing credentialing programs of all sizes and maturity. Explore the impact of state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives, and their anticipated impacts on credentialing programs, candidates, and certificants, and key demographic and economic trends organizations need to consider as they plan for the future of their assessments, certification standards, and financial projections. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Mark Franco, Partner, Rimon Law
Jared Zurn, Chief Programs Officer, National Council of Architectural Registration Board
John Johnson, Director Legislative and Governmental Affairs, NASBA
Missy Pydo, Vice President and Managing Director, Global Strategy, Prometric

Wed 12/10 at 11 a.m. – How Associations Build Self-Running Content Engines That Grows Membership

Learn how forward-thinking associations are transforming member stories into a sustainable content engine that attracts, retains, and engages members—without overloading your team. More info/register.

Host: ContentOvation

Speaker: Jamie Green, Founder & President, ContentOvation

Wed 12/10 at 12 p.m. – Rethinking Retention: Generation-Specific Strategies to Address Lapser Risk and Boost Engagement

Hear findings from Momentive’s associations trends study, revealing insights about lapser risk across generations. In times of economic and political uncertainty, understanding generation-specific patterns is essential to maintaining your membership base. Learn 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

Wed 12/10 at 12 p.m. – Member Value, Digital Expectations, and What’s Next (Buzzworthy LIVE)

All year, Buzzworthy LIVE talked with association leaders about shifting expectations, changing communication habits, and what it really means for programs to deliver value. This special December episode brings those insights together—how the “answer economy” is reshaping business models, why messaging must adapt across platforms, and why success can’t be defined by dollars or registrations alone. More info/register.

Host: TaleWind Digital

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – The State of Associations, Part 4

Hear association executives discuss how associations can provide support and connections to members during times of great change, engage younger members, and solve volunteer recruitment and leadership challenges, and why changes in membership structures and local events can instill new vitality. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva and Protech

Speakers:

Holly Koenig, CEO and Executive Director, Metro New York Society of Association Executives
Kendra Pheasant, MS, CAE, Executive Director, New England Society of Association Executives
Tawni Phelan, CAE, CMP, Executive Director, Oklahoma Society of Association Executives

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – AI Tools You Can Use: Get Started Today

Heare about the latest AI developments, must-know tools shaping productivity and marketing, and how organizations can use these innovations to create real impact in 2025. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – Member Journey Blueprint: Engagement to Loyalty

Loyalty is built over time through meaningful engagement—and associations must be equipped to measure, manage, and magnify it. Learn how to define engagement metrics, use data to segment and support your most loyal members, and implement strategies to nurture advocates who champion your cause and elevate your brand. More info/register.

Host: Causeis

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – The Adaptive Leader: Integrating Values and Strategy to Thrive Under New Leadership

Explore the four major trends reshaping association professionals: generational shifts, AI transformation, flatter organizational structures, and external pressures. Take away with practical strategies to build trust, foster cross-generational work, and empower teams in this complex new environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Moderator: Joseph Watkins, Manager, Business Operations, ASAE

Wed 12/10 at 2 p.m. – Cracking the Event RFP Code: How Associations and Hotels Can Work Together

Get an overview of how the RFP process looks from both the association and hotel perspectives. Explore what goes into drafting the RFP, what both sides are looking to get out of the process, and how the parties can work together so that everyone is getting what they need. We will also hold a Q&A with live participants to address your specific questions and provide answers from experienced professionals on both sides of the process. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Thu 12/11 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – AI in Action Demo Day

Get a firsthand look at how associations are using AI today through live, real-world 30-minute product demos. See practical examples from both AI-first companies and established tech providers who have infused AI features into their offerings—showcasing tools that could enhance member engagement, operations, and strategic initiatives. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Betty:AI, VideoRequest, Insight Guide, iMIS by ASI, Aplusify/EVA Event Tech Hub/MapleLMS, Momentive Software, Higher Logic, Blend Interactive, Fonteva/Protech, rasa.io

Thu 12/11 at 11 a.m. – Once Upon an Association: Telling Your Compelling Story

Learn how to tell your organization’s story to raise the visibility of your industry, association, leaders, and members. Find out how to focus your storytelling on your organization’s mission, create a dynamic narrative around why your organization exists, pinpoint how your industry contributes to society, know how to use a variety of storytelling resources, and leverage volunteers to help tell their story. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sheri Singer, President at Singer Communication

Thu 12/11 at 11 a.m. – Mentorship Audit & Best Practices

Learn about auditing and designing mentorship programs, including what works (and what doesn’t), how to set your program up for success, what data matters and how to use it, and how to sell the idea to internal teams. More info/register.

Host: RhythmQ

Speaker: Dana Robertson, Mentorship Consultant, RhythmQ

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – Modernizing Member Communications: Using Storytelling and AI to Create Member-Centric Content

Hear how to turn your newsletters and publications into storytelling platforms that inspire engagement and build community. Learn how to use audience insights to plan content that truly resonates, repurpose and refresh existing material for greater impact, and apply storytelling and design to transform communications from informational to inspirational. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Beth Brodovsky, CEO, Iris Creative Group, Inc.

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – Building Belonging: Using Technology to Improve Member Engagement

Explore how technology can foster authentic connections among members, how digital platforms are redefining the meaning of community engagement, the role of personalization in driving long-term member loyalty, balancing automation with the human touch in member experiences, and how data insights can strengthen trust and inclusivity in communities. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

Joseph Plagge, Director of Service Delivery at Martus
Josh Linard, Director of Client Development at Urban Insight

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – Vetting and Managing Your MSP: What Every Association Must Know

Learn how to ask the right questions to evaluate your MSP’s performance, spot warning signs that your MSP is falling short, know what questions to ask your MSP, and get your board and leadership aligned on vendor accountability. More info/register.

Host: Brian Scott, founder, 501CISO and ClearTone Consulting

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – How AEO/GEO/AI SEO Actually Works

Your search traffic isn’t coming back. As AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Mode begin answering searches directly, your brand’s visibility now depends on whether you’re being cited and mentioned by these AI-driven chatbots. Learn how AI-driven search actually works — and how you can adapt your SEO strategy to influence the answers users see. More info/register.

Host: Bernard Huang, Founder of Clearscope

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – The 2026 Learning Business Landscape

Hear insights from a new survey of learning businesses and expert perspectives on the most important trends for 2026. Find out where investment is shifting and what’s moving the needle—AI, personalization, marketing, and more. Expect to be able to benchmark your plans against peer priorities, identify high-leverage moves for 2026, and pressure-test your roadmap in live Q&A. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Ashish Rangnekar, CEO, BenchPrep

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – What Members Really Want: Insights for 2026 and Beyond

Hear brand-new findings from the Association Member Experience Report, which surveyed hundreds of association members across industries to learn what matters to them. Learn what benefits members value most, how they want to connect and learn, what makes them feel seen and supported, and how they perceive their association’s value and use of AI. Find out what strategies can help organizations communicate their value proposition, attract new members, and deliver more personalized, engaging, and lasting value. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Kelly Whelan, Senior Content Marketing Manager at Higher Logic

Thu 12/11 at 2 p.m. – Predictions, Pitfalls and Possibilities

As we close out 2025, we are sitting down with some special IT peeps to talk about some of the challenges we have faced and how you can take charge of your technology in 2026. How will the economy, cyber security issues, AI and even world events impact technology in 2026? What can you do as an organization to keep your tech performing well? If you are looking at big technology projects in 2026 and beyond, what are the things you can do now to start getting your house in order? More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speaker: James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 12/11 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Digital Workshop: Small Moves, Big Impact

Transform how your organization focuses its energy on impact, learning and measurable progress. Learn to describe your work in outcome terms; identify one validation action to take this week; gain language and frameworks to demonstrate impact through data, not just report on activities; and test assumptions quickly before full commitment. More info/register.

Host: McKinley Advisors

Facilitators:

Tim Hopkins, CAE, Managing Director, McKinley Advisors
Adi Soesan Malishev, Product Thinking and OKR Coach, OKRQuickstart

Thu 12/11 at 3 p.m. – Strategy First, AI Second – Content that Connects: A Simple Framework for Member Engagement

Hear about a simple, repeatable framework to create content that resonates with the members you most want to attract. Learn how to define your ideal member profile, uncover their motivations and pain points, and craft messages that meet them where they are—from event promotions to year-round engagement campaigns. Find out how AI can amplify your efforts by scaling the content you create without losing your brand voice, association value, authenticity, and expertise. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Speakers: Cheri Quinn, Brand and Marketing Strategist, Emily Youngblood, Client Services Director, Mercury Creative Group.

Tue 12/16 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 12/16 at 1 p.m. – The Top 10 AI Tools Every Association Should Be Using Today

Host: re:Members

Speakers: Kevin Ordonez, AAiP, President and Managing Director, Digital Strategy, and Kevin Marlage, Senior Consultant, .orgSource

Wed 12/17 at 1:30 p.m. – The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Grand Finale Zoom Meeting

Join this 90-minute session during which we will wrap up our collaborative project. More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Thu 12/18 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community. Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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 the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and AI and its impact on consulting. More info/register.

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

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Association Brain Food: 11.21.25

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Because of Thanksgiving, I’m not publishing Association Brain Food next Friday, November 28. See you back here on Friday, December 5.

“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” ―André Gide

Good reads for the association community

AMS implementation. Most of us have an AMS horror story, but after 400+ implementations, re:Members knows how to turn those forebodings into success. Kristina Jaksatas, their VP of Professional Services, shares how their partnership approach turns the two biggest implementation fears (endless timeline, change-resistant staff) into manageable realities. A must-read if you’re evaluating systems or getting ready for project kick-off.

Disney fan slop. Disney’s letting fans create their own AI-generated content inside its IP universe. Harmless adult child’s play? Mitch Joel laments the fate of stories when they become infinitely customizable. Giving everyone the pen diminishes the magic of shared narrative experiences.

Learning as a revenue stream. D2L explains which types of online learning programs generate the most revenue, how to monetize them effectively, and why three-quarters of associations are increasing their learning budgets this year. They also examine how associations are reworking their membership models around these programs and common implementation challenges. If you’re treating education purely as a member benefit, this data might change your strategy.

The real scoop on Gen Z. Two Gen Z staffers at Mighty Citizen discuss why associations are missing the mark with their generation. They explain how to reach the Zoomers who’ll be sustaining membership ten years from now. Has your association had these discussions? Make a plan to build quarterly conversations with Gen Z into your schedule.

Association SEO course. Want to improve your site’s Google ranking? The SEO for Associations Certificate Course at Association Academy gives you immediate steps and long-term strategies to attract more website traffic by improving your ranking with Google and other search engines. Earn up to 5 CAE credits while learning at your own pace in five one-hour on-demand lessons. Save $50 with the promo code BRAINFOOD.

Member-centric planning. Chris Vaughan at Sequence Consulting says most associations plan for members who already love them, not the ones who almost walked away. He shares seven practical moves for bringing different voices into the room. These activities help prevent the “inward drift” that happens quietly in associations over time.

Event marketing that works. ExpoLogic’s event marketing guide covers research-backed strategies for the entire event lifecycle, like crafting registration pages that convert and post-event surveys that gather useful feedback from attendees, exhibitors, volunteers, and speakers. If you’re tired of generic promotional emails that go nowhere, check out the sections on personalization and data-driven retargeting.

Attracting an audience. Nathan Wahl at Animalz says your goal for effective SEO/AEO should be differentiation. Create something readers can’t get elsewhere, instead of another ‘comprehensive guide’ to the same thing your competitors are writing about. I’ve written these guides because my clients’ agencies insist they publish them. But I agree with Nathan: deeper, niche, opinionated, and/or research-based content is a smarter move and much more enjoyable and informative to read.

Event strategy. Inspired by Sasha Frieze and her book, The Chief Event Officer’s Playbook (which is on sale for 99 cents right now on Kindle), David Adler at GatheringPoint.news discusses what it takes to “lead an event rather than simply execute one.” Events aren’t just productions. They’re “strategic, emotional, political propositions about who gets heard, what gets remembered, and what gets acted on.”

Free CAE workshops. If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 36 CAE-relevant workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. To qualify for CAE credits, you have to pass a test.

Snacks

How to discover what you’re actually good at: the 12 points of pleasure at work—a simple framework the author used to go from career crisis to career clarity (without changing fields). | Nathalia Montenegro

Common credentialing myths busted. Did you believe any of them? | Vita Greco, ICE-CCP and A.J. Wolf, Institute for Credentialing Excellence

Is higher education in a long decline, like 15^th century Venice was? | Hollis Robbins

21 facts about throwing good parties—a useful checklist if you’re new at hosting, although he doesn’t mention music (a must). The trick is finding the right mix and volume for your guests. | Uri, Atoms vs Bits

You never grow old at the table

Jim was away on his annual hunting trip last week, so I indulged in gorgonzola, spinach, and mushroom pasta. If you’re a blue cheese fan, this one’s for you. Happy aside: we’ve got two deer heading for the freezer!

One night, I loaded up our usual dinner salad (lettuce and spinach mix, arugula, cuke, celery, radish, carrot, broccoli, red bell pepper, sweet onion, and grape tomatoes) with steamed, chilled snap peas, avocado, pecans, and blackened salmon.

We’ve been eating this on repeat: bratwurst, cabbage, and white bean skillet. The original recipe calls for egg noodles, but white beans are a more nutritious option. I omit the bacon, add red bell, poblano, and jalapeño peppers, and sub ham for chicken broth.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Fri 11/21 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 the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and AI and its impact on consulting. More info/register.

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Mon 11/24 at 8 a.m. – The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts: Art for All! (Thankful for the Arts Month on Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Trudy Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Mon 11/24 at 11 a.m. – Cross-Channel Engagement: The Key to Stronger Member Connections

Learn how associations can connect with members across multiple channels. Not with more noise, but with the right message at the right moment. Find out what it takes to show up consistently where members are already paying attention, turn quick interactions into deeper conversations, connect your channels so the experience feels personal, not fragmented, and respond to member signals in real time to guide them forward. Take away simple, actionable tactics you can start using immediately to make every member feel seen, heard, and valued, no tech overhaul required. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Speaker: Ryan Graham, Chief Revenue Officer, PropFuel

Tue 11/25 at 11 a.m. – From Batch-And-Blast to 1:1 Messaging: How AI Is Redefining Email Marketing

Learn how AI is reshaping the way marketers build, send, and optimize campaigns, and how to deliver personalized, 1:1 messaging that drives higher opens, clicks, and conversions—without adding manual work.1 CAE credit. Hear about real-world case examples of actionable tactics for improving open rates, click-throughs, and conversions. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Molly Quast, Director of Growth and Strategy, rasa.io

Wed 11/26 at 3 p.m. – Most Webinars Flop. Ours Catch Fire. Here’s the Cheat Code.

Learn how to turn the traditional webinar format on its head and create live sessions your members actually want to show up for. Hear how to pick irresistible topics that make your members drool; flip the script with less presenting and more connecting; and shift passive scrollers into active and chatty attendees. Get real examples from webinars that broke the “boring” mold. More info/register.

Host: Member Lounge

Speaker: Farhad Kahn, CEO/Marketing Strategist, Member Lounge

Thu 11/27 at 9 a.m. – Modern Event Tech Marketing Practices

Learn what it really takes to bring an event tech product to market: from positioning and partnerships to timing and trust. Hear how to align your marketing, sales, and product teams to build momentum that lasts. More info/register.

Host: fielddrive

Speakers:

Christine Gow, VP of Marketing, EventMobi
Vignesh Ramalingam, Marketing Head, fielddrive

Tue 12/2 at 8 a.m. – Navigating Through the In-Between with Interim Nonprofit and Association Leadership (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 an executive leaves, the in-between can become a powerful time for reflection instead of panic. Discover how an interim director can help strengthen association systems, rebuild trust, and set the stage for what’s next. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guest: Erin Stratford Owens

Tue 12/2 at 11 a.m. – Q4 ASAE Consultant Community Call

Based on community feedback, we’re refreshing this quarterly call to put the focus back on networking and genuine connections with fellow consultants. We’ll kick things off with a quick update from the Content Task Force of the Key Consultant Committee (trust us, it’s worth knowing about), then spend most of our time together connecting and collaborating. Get the opportunity to have real conversations, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Tue 12/2 at 12 p.m. – The Future of Search Isn’t Links: It’s Answers

AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s SGE are changing how people search, trust, and consume information. If your website and content aren’t AEO-ready, you could be missing out on visibility and traffic. Hear both the strategic and technical perspectives on how associations can adapt content strategies, enhance member engagement, and stay visible in an AI-driven search environment. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Charles Smitherman, CEO of Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
Alyssa Hulka, Chief Experience Officer; Kelsey Mills, Website Strategist; and Merrick Kressley, Digital Marketing Strategist, Accella

Tue 12/2 at 12 p.m. – The Fragile Currency: Rebuilding Trust When Everything Feels Uncertain

Trust is the invisible currency that holds every organization together, and it’s never been more fragile than it is today. Explore how leaders and organizations can use technology to build trust rather than break it, turning data into transparency, communication tools into connection, and digital platforms into places where people feel seen. Through real-world stories of trust lost and regained, learn how to identify the moments where confidence fractures, repair them with authenticity, and design systems that make belonging a measurable part of your strategy. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: KiKi L’Italien, Keynote Speaker, Advisor, Creator & Host, Things Go Sideways Podcast, and Founder, Amplified Growth

Tue 12/2 at 12 p.m. – End of Year Review

More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 12/2 at 1 p.m. – Upsizing, Downsizing, and Rightsizing: Lease Considerations in Times of Change

Key business shifts—such as return-to-office mandates, work-from-home policies, talent acquisition, workforce reduction, business expansion, and funding cuts—can influence your organization’s lease requirements. Learn about the accounting implications of a changing footprint, including the evaluation of lease modifications under ASC 842, Leases, and other essential considerations when downsizing or upsizing your leased space. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Diana Connolly, Director, Nonprofit Consulting at Aprio Advisory Group, LLP

Tue 12/2 at 1 p.m. – Ethical Facilitation: Upholding Integrity Through Core Competencies

Learn about the ethical dimensions of facilitation. Explore real-world dilemmas and apply the self-assessment framework to evaluate your own practice across eight domains. Uncover strategies to remain neutral, build inclusive environments, balance competing perspectives, and safeguard trust. By connecting facilitation ethics to professional competencies, take away a practical roadmap for upholding integrity and modeling ethical leadership in association and nonprofit contexts. 1 CAE ethics credit. More info/register.

Host: Event Garde

Speakers:

Aaron Wolowiec, Founder & President, Event Garde
Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova

Tue 12/2 at 2 p.m. – Component Benchmarking Virtual Meet-Up: From Data to Direction

Explore the key findings from our Component Benchmarking Research Project and discuss what the data reveals—for today and for the future of your components and associations. Discuss trends, actionable insights, and how these findings can be applied to drive real-world results in your association. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members and Mariner Management

Tue 12/2 at 4 p.m. – Let’s Chat: Small Staff Associations – Non-Dues Revenue

The discussion focuses on non-dues revenue from the perspective of the small staff association. Share success stories, discuss current challenges, and pose questions to the community. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Small Staff Advisory Committee

Tue 12/2 at 5 p.m. – NextGen Presents: Young Professionals Meetup (Washington DC)

Attend a fun evening of networking and socializing with fellow young professionals. This in-person event offers a relaxed and casual setting to connect with like-minded peers, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: ASAE NextGen Committee

Wed 12/3 at 12 p.m. – The Conversion Truth: Vanity Analytics vs. True ROI Metrics

While open rates, click-throughs, and follower counts might look good in reports, they rarely show the real impact of your marketing efforts. Break free from the illusion of surface-level success and shift focus to the metrics that actually drive conversions, engagement, and ROI. Learn how to track meaningful actions, like content engagement, lead quality, and registration behavior—all of which directly connect to your association’s goals. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Wed 12/3 at 12 p.m. – The Future of Healthcare Associations: Unique Challenges & Opportunities

Discuss how changes and issues in the healthcare landscape today will impact the future of our associations. Exchange insights and share ideas with each another. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Healthcare Community Advisory Council

Facilitators:

Teresa Fraker, Executive Director of the Obesity Medicine Association
Tina Gordon, CEO of the North Carolina Nurses Association

Wed 12/3 at 12 p.m. – Career Planning & Leadership Goal Setting

About 40 years, 10,000 days, 80,000 hours. Measure it any way you like, but this is about the length of your career. With so much of your life spent working, does it not make sense to also spend time planning your career in an organized, strategic manner? And specifically, how do you set, and execute on, your professional goals? More info/register.

Hosts: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 12/3 at 1 p.m. – From Data to Decisions: How Associations Can Confidently Manage Their Portfolios

Discover how to approach a portfolio analysis in a way that is feasible, data-informed, and grounded in organizational culture. Learn how to improve your current approach to data, process and strategy to prepare for a portfolio analysis; where to focus your efforts to drive confident decisions that balance financial health with mission impact; and how to make a portfolio analysis an iterative, actionable and strategic part of your organization’s decision-making. More info/register.

Host: McKinley Advisors

Speakers: Caroline Baugher, Practice Director, and Jesús R. Aviña, Analyst, McKinley Advisors

Wed 12/3 at 1 p.m. – Integrating Financial Health Assessments into Your Organization’s Planning Process

Learn about the key elements of financial health and how they respond to changing conditions and unexpected disruptions. Hear how to design and implement procedures to perform a periodic financial health assessment within their organization; analyze the role of operating reserves in organizational sustainability and use them as a strategic indicator of financial health; and apply a financial health assessment template, adapting it to evolving organizational needs and strategic priorities. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder at Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP

Wed 12/3 at 1 p.m. – How Smart Associations Are Driving Non-Dues Revenue with Personalization

Engaging, interactive content experiences can drive new subscriptions, enrollments, event registrations, sales, and more—making your organization’s revenue mix stronger and more diverse. Learn how to transform your subscription list into a data-generating revenue stream, drive more sales within your association, increase member engagement, and grow registrations, attendee engagement, and sponsorship sales at your conferences and events. More info/register.

Host: CredSpark

Speakers: Casey Cornelius, Head of Content and Client Services, and Gabi Murphy, Customer Success Manager, CredSpark

Wed 12/3 at 2 p.m. – Finance and Business Operations (FBO) Meet Up

Bring your pressing problems and share experiences and potential solutions in an engaging conversation with your colleagues. Some topics that recently came up include salary increases for 2026, insurance and benefit costs, and end-of-the-year planning. However, we are open to discussing other topics as well. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Finance and Business Operations Professionals Advisory Council (including HR)

Wed 12/3 at 3 p.m. – Empowering Connection: Where Members and Technology Unite

Learn how to design digital environments that cultivate a strong sense of belonging and vibrant community; achieve the ideal equilibrium between technology solutions and personalized human engagement; transform member interaction with emerging technologies; develop and execute a multi-channel digital communication strategy that captivates and resonates with diverse membership segments; and leverage the power of data analytics and structured feedback mechanisms to customize and enhance the individual member journey. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

Janna Fiester, Vice President of UX and Creative at Sandstorm
Joe Felperin, Director of Strategic Business Development at Popshap
Tirrah Switzer, Vice President of Product Marketing at Momentive

Thu 12/4 at 11 a.m. – How to Find the Right Fit: What to Know Before Choosing a Technology Vendor

When it comes to the success of member-based organizations, choosing the right technology partner can make all the difference. Hear how to evaluate critical considerations before you sign on the dotted line. From member management systems to learning platforms and beyond, learn how to identify what matters most for your organization. More info/register.

Hosts: Vocalmeet and Ellipsis Partners

Speakers:

Laurelle Jno Baptiste, Chief Implementation Officer, Vocalmeet
Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy, Ellipsis Partners

Thu 12/4 at 11 a.m. – Responsible AI: From Guidelines to Policies

The pressure on finance teams—and the organizations they serve—to embrace AI is growing stronger every day. Learn best practices for using AI responsibly. Hear about the core concepts of AI—’machine learning,’ ‘reasoning models,’ and ‘AI agents’—data privacy, ethics, and the development of guidelines and policies to govern the use of these technologies within an organization. 1 CAE ethics credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Edwin Harvey, PhD, Director, AI Solutions and Training at Your Part-Time Controller LLC

Thu 12/4 at 1 p.m. – Giving Voice: Understanding and Reporting Lobbying, Advocacy, and Political Activities

Learn how to navigate the complex tax and compliance rules for tax-exempt organizations engaging with the political process. Find out how to differentiate between lobbying, advocacy, and political activities, and the reporting requirements and tax consequences of each. Hear about the specific rules for 501(c)(3) organizations, including the no-substantial-part test and the 501(h) election, as well as the rules for 501(c)(4), (5), and (6) organizations regarding non-deductible member dues and the proxy tax. Get practical best practices and strategies for carefully tracking and reporting all political and lobbying expenditures. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Andrew Hassler, CPA, Tax Manager, and J. Calvin Marks, CPA, Tax Principal, Johnson Lambert LLP

Thu 12/4 at 2 p.m. – Predictions, Pitfalls and Possibilities

Host: 501Works

Speaker: James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 12/4 at 3 p.m. – 2026 Association Trends & Predictions

Get ahead of the biggest shifts in membership, engagement, and revenue: scaling your acquisition efforts and engagement strategies; reshaping your renewal strategy and growing your relationships with current members and beyond; and building the foundation for future readiness—all backed by data and insights from reports from MGI, ASAE, Higher Logic, and more. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Reggie Henry (ASAE), Roberta Rosenberg (MGI), Kelly Whelan (Higher Logic) and Brendan Leehe (Higher Logic)

Thu 12/4 at 3 p.m. – The Engagement Code: 5 Powerful Steps Every Association Should Steal

Hear about a simple, powerful framework to turn passive members into active champions. Learn how to activate community champions with clear roles and prompts; build a shared lexicon that aligns staff, leaders, and members; design onboarding that delivers quick wins for new members; post questions that invite replies, stories, and peer-to-peer support; and create a valued community shaped by real member feedback. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Speaker: Catherine Hackney, Principal of Confident Communities Consulting

Fri 12/5 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Governance Strategy and Foresight

Host: ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group

Speaker: Jennifer McNelly, CAE, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

Fri 12/5 at 1:30 p.m. – Association Rockstars Roundtable

The annual Association Rockstar’s Roundtable discusses 2025 reflections and their projections for 2026. Hear valuable perspectives to help you close the year on a high note and prepare for 2026 with confidence—perfect for association executives, nonprofit leaders, and community builders looking to spark innovation and deepen connections. More info/register.

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova

Tue 12/9 at 11 a.m. – Better Mouse, Better Mousetrap: Making the Shift to Phishing-Resistant MFA

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Andrew Leggett, Director, Cybersecurity, and Chris Ecker, Chief Technology Officer, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 12/9 at 1 p.m. – The Audience Advantage: How Well-Crafted Personas Power Smarter Web Strategies

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Marcie Peck, Director of Client Partnerships, and Bree Richmond, Director of Strategy, Yoko Co

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Component Benchmarking Virtual Meet-Up: Design Session – Turning Insights into Action

Hosts: re:Members and Mariner Management

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course Information Session

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Tue 12/9 at 4:30 p.m. – 2025 End of Year Happy Hour (Washington DC)

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 12/10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – What You Need to Know to Thrive in 2026 (Washington DC)

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Mark Franco, Partner, Rimon Law
Jared Zurn, Chief Programs Officer, National Council of Architectural Registration Board
John Johnson, Director Legislative and Governmental Affairs, NASBA
Missy Pydo, Vice President and Managing Director, Global Strategy, Prometric

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – AI Tools You Can Use: Get Started Today

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Thu 12/11 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – AI in Action Demo Day

Host: ASAE

Participants: Betty:AI, VideoRequest, Insight Guide, iMIS by ASI, Aplusify/EVA Event Tech Hub /MapleLMS, Momentive Software, Higher Logic, Blend Interactive, Fonteva/Protech, rasa.io

Thu 12/11 at 11 a.m. – Once Upon an Association: Telling Your Compelling Story

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sheri Singer, President at Singer Communication

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – The 2026 Learning Business Landscape

Host: Leading Learning

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Ashish Rangnekar, CEO, BenchPrep

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – What Members Really Want: Insights for 2026 and Beyond

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Kelly Whelan, Senior Content Marketing Manager at Higher Logic

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 Johannes Plenio via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, Association Academy, and Rogue Tulips links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 11.14.25

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Your unique learning proposition. If your association is competing with MOOCs by offering cheaper courses or more CE credits, that’s the wrong approach. Instead, flaunt your competitive advantages: industry-specific content, portable credentials employers recognize, and built-in professional communities. TopClass LMS walks you through five differentiation strategies: cohort-based learning, stackable microcredentials, community integration, hybrid models, and AI personalization. They’re worth stealing.

Peer communities. James Young of Product Community previews the future membership value proposition for associations: leveraging peer engagement to create deep belonging. You might think you’re already there, but his vision goes further. He says your sustainable competitive advantage lies in “curating communities where knowledge is actively generated through peer interaction.” Your role “shifts from content creator to ecosystem architect, designing the conditions where peer engagement flourishes naturally.” That certainly beats the typical membership pitch.

Taking the CAE exam? The revised CAE Practice Exam from Rogue Tulips Consulting is here! Authored by CAE expert Cheryl Ronk, CAE, FASAE, this practice exam provides difficult questions to sharpen your thinking skills and test your knowledge. Seriously, don’t take the exam without it. Get $25 off with discount code RTBRAINFOOD.

AMS implementation. re:Members reveals the three requirements AMS vendors don’t stress (or even mention) during the sales process. Their guide shares lessons from thousands of implementations, including why executive buy-in isn’t enough, what needs to go on hold during implementation, and why go-live is just the beginning.

Embracing Boomers. Sidecar’s been on a roll lately with more good posts and podcast episodes than I can share, so I recommend subscribing to both. This post by Mallory Mejias is based on an episode with UX strategist and content designer Bryan Kelly about the longevity economy and unretirement movement. He says associations can lead the way in reskilling lifelong learners in their 60s and beyond. “They’re not intimidated by digital tools—they’re just more deliberate about which ones they choose to use.” Another post featuring Kelly describes the user experience mistakes driving the 50+ group away. Prepare to have your assumptions about this demographic corrected.

Member journey to belonging. “Belonging isn’t built on guesswork. It’s designed through thoughtful, data-informed choices that make members feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger,” says Rhoni Rakos of Ellipsis Partners. She rethinks member engagement using a Settlers of Catan analogy: members as Tourists, Settlers, or Townspeople at different stages in their quest to belong and build a community.

AMS trends. If you’re evaluating AMS options—or just plain curious—Growthzone’s infographic is worth a look. They outline ten AMS trends for 2026, including AI automation, deep integrations, predictive analytics, modular pricing, and enhanced security and privacy protections. Each trend includes practical guidance on what it means for your day-to-day work.

Membership value sweet spot. In Association Forum, Christine Saunders of Halmyre describes four steps to identifying and implementing a unique and differentiated membership value proposition. She suggests aiming for the Red Zone: “the sweet spot where your association’s unique capabilities intersect with your members’ unmet needs, in an area where your competition is not a factor.”

Snacks

Beyond SEO: what you need to know about GEO and AEO. | 360 Live Media

What is antisemitism? The first warning sign of a culture in a state of cognitive collapse. | Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

The innovation that’s killing restaurant culture: delivery has turned America into a nation of order-inners. | Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic (this was a gift link, hopefully, it still is)

You never grow old at the table

I love rediscovering a dish after not making it for a long time, like maple barbecue glazed salmon. So simple, so darn good. Glaze two fillets with a mix of three tablespoons each of barbecue sauce and maple syrup, and one tablespoon each of Worcestershire and hot sauce. It’s great with any bold fish, like bluefish and mackerel.

On the side, kale sautéed with bacon, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of sherry vinegar.

Another excellent dish for a cold night—not quite as simple as the salmon but simple enough: Provençal braised chicken thighs. I used four large thighs and a medium onion, went heavy on the olives, and served it over polenta. On the side, collards sautéed with bacon, onion, carrot, poblano, jalapeño, garlic, sundried tomatoes, ham broth, and sherry vinegar.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Mon 11/17 at 8 a.m.* – The Arts are not just those SOBs (Symphonies, Operas and Ballets) (Thankful for the Arts Month on Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Jay Dick, Senior Director-Advocacy and Partnerships, Americans for the Arts

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Mon 11/17 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Mon 11/17 at 12 p.m. – Soulless AI: Protecting Your Association’s Voice in the Age of Algorithms

There’s no question that AI use in associations is increasing. According to a 2025 report, 58% of associations are using AI occasionally or frequently—up from 36% last year. But with increased AI use, associations may risk losing their most important asset—the authentic voice of their members and mission. Hear about the hidden challenges of AI adoption: diluted reputation, brand erosion, and member disconnect. Take away practical strategies to keep your association’s identity at the heart of every innovation. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Khánh Vũ, former CEO and Executive Director of the Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers

Tue 11/18 at 8 a.m. – Innovation Starts with Nonprofit and Association Culture (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: Innovation tools like Lean Startup and design thinking can only go so far. Learn why association organizational culture ultimately determines whether new ideas take root or stall. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guests: Elizabeth Engel (Spark Consulting) and Jamie Notter

Tue 11/18 at 10:30 a.m. – Meetings That Matter: The Secret to Real Engagement and Connection

With the right facilitation, meetings can be the spark that drives ideas, inclusion, and real change. Learn how to design meetings that generate real ideas (not just more talk); ensure participants feel respected, heard, and included; cut down on meetings that waste time and money; turn “status updates” into momentum; and improve collaboration in your association. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO of Member Lounge,

Speaker: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – AI Simplified: Practical Tips for Organizations to Get Started

Learn how to explore AI, even without a tech background or large team; use AI-powered tools for email automation, personalized content, and campaign optimization; use AI for content creation, member learning, and improving staff productivity; and how AI can streamline your workflows, eliminate repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making across your organization. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speakers:

Erica Salm Rench, Chief Marketing Officer, Sidecar
Erin Hall, Senior Product Marketing Manager, GrowthZone

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Story Power that Moves Policy

Learn about the power of using supporter content to impact real policy change. Hear how to build a messaging framework to create effective stories, navigate today’s changing algorithm and stand out in noisy online environments, identify what metrics to measure based on your organization’s goals, and go beyond emotion to create measurable impact. More info/register.

Host: AdvocacyAI

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Your AI Journey: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Getting Started

Get a clear, practical, and people-first AI roadmap to help you move from uncertainty to confident action. Learn how to cut through AI hype and define a clear, people-first path forward by reframing adoption as a structured change-management process; identify early opportunities through staff engagement and empower an internal team to lead innovation; and select secure, enterprise-grade tools while building staff confidence for responsible, mission-driven AI use. More info/register.

Host: PTKO

Speakers:

Mimi Yeh, Engagement Director, PTKO
George Danilovics, Chief Information Officer

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Managing Volunteer Dynamics: Addressing Disruptive Influences (ASAE CRVM Crunch and Munch)

Discuss tactful, professional approaches for handling volunteers who derail teamwork, share practical solutions for tricky volunteer-management scenarios and explore ways to expand meaningful volunteer engagement. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitator: CRVM Council member Elizabeth George

Tue 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Using AI to Improve Productivity and Member Connections

Discover how the South Carolina Association of CPAs is successfully integrating AI to optimize workflows, enhance communication, and deepen member engagement. Learn how they have implemented AI-driven strategies to streamline processes, automate routine tasks, and provide members with more meaningful interactions. Hear about the challenges, successes, and lessons learned, providing valuable takeaways for associations looking to embark on their own AI journey. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speakers:

Liz Peuster, CAE, South Carolina Association of CPAs
Sherry Whitaker Budziak, .orgSource

Tue 11/18 from 1 to 6 p.m. – “AI in Action: Transforming Associations for the Future” Summit/Reception (Washington DC)

For C-level association execs: hear from association executives who are already putting AI to work, the tech experts building the tools behind the scenes, and the association strategists helping leaders successfully navigate AI. Sessions will cover: building the case for AI to empower members/staff and demonstrate the value of your association; approaches to piloting/implementing AI; association success stories and use cases; integrating into existing programs/systems; and budgeting, revenue opportunities and measuring ROI. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct | RD Mobile

Speakers: Thad Lurie, CAE, AAiP, Juan Sanchez, Alex Skinner, Russell Magnuson, AAiP, Brittany Carter, Dan Scheeler, CAE, and Benjamin Muscolino

Tue 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Contagious Member Engagement: How Value Loops Create Forever Connection

Learn about value loops and their power for creating sustained engagement that results in deeper connection and new revenue; the conditions that make value loops work; how to develop a value loop that is effective and usable; and how to apply value loops to your association. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Speakers:

James Young, Founder and Chief Learning Officer, Product Community
Terri Herrmann, Chief Marketing Officer, Forj

Tue 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Build It Yourself: AI Agents, No-Code Tools, and Workflow Automations for Associations

Learn how an AI agent produces a complete member newsletter every week—content curation, writing, formatting, and publishing; how to create a custom member feedback tool by simply describing what you need to an AI; how one association built a legislative feedback system that collects member perspectives on specific bills, organizes responses, and delivers actionable insights—simply by describing what they needed; how to create a legislation monitoring system using a no-code platform that tracks only the bills relevant to your members, automatically summarizes key provisions, and alerts you to important developments. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisors

Speaker: Evan Hawkins, CAE, Association Executive, W Strategies LLC

Tue 11/18 at 2 p.m. – Building a Culture of Connection: Onboarding and Integrating New Members

Want to keep your members coming back year after year? It all starts with building a strong culture of connection from day one. Learn the proven strategies that will transform your onboarding process into a game-changer for member engagement and retention. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Peter Hodgen, Director of Business Development, GrowthZone

Tue 11/18 at 3 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
Thomas Altman, Co-founder, Tasio

Tue 11/18 at 4 p.m. – Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course Information Session

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Wed 11/19 at 12 p.m. – When Members Lead – How Empowerment Builds Stronger Connections

Learn how empowering members to take the lead not only boosts engagement and sparks innovation but also strengthens your organization’s long-term impact. Hear practical strategies for identifying and nurturing the right member leaders, equipping them with the tools and support to succeed, and balancing structure and autonomy to keep your community energized and effective. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone AMS

Wed 11/19 at 1 p.m. – This Is Your Content. This Is Your Content on Algorithms. Any Questions?

Learn how to stop the scroll with hooks that demand attention in a sea of distractions; why credibility matters and how to prove you’re worth listening to; package it right; ask for the action; test, learn, and adapt to better over time. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Andrew Hanelly, Chief Strategy Officer, Revmade

Wed 11/19 at 1 p.m. – Quick Wins to Boost Association Revenue: Small Tweaks, Big Impact

When you were a kid, did you ever say, “When I grow up, I want to be in sales!”? Probably not. Most association professionals in revenue-generating roles didn’t plan to wear a sales hat, they just found themselves in one and have been figuring it out as they go. If that sounds like you, and you’d love some practical, right-now tactics to boost results from sponsorships, exhibits, advertising, and other industry partner programs, join this fun, fast “lunch & EARN” workshop. Learn five tactical sales tips you can put into action immediately to help increase revenue in 2026. More info/register.

Host: Carrie McIntyre, Founder & Principal, Navigate

Wed 11/19 at 1 p.m. – Risky Business: Building Safer, Smarter Events Together

Associations and destinations encounter a variety of risks that can impact the success of meetings and events, from safety and accessibility to climate considerations, health measures and community values like social justice and environmental sustainability. Take a comprehensive look at these risks from all perspectives and explore how proactive and collaborative planning can priorities and foster stronger partnerships. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speakers:

Amy Hissrich, MA, CAE, Vice President, International Affairs, ASAE
Emily Scheiderer, Senior Director of Education, Sales and Services, Destinations International
Stuart Ruff-Lyon, Chief Events and Sales Officer, RIMS

Wed 11/19 at 2:30 p.m. – Event Agendas: Avoiding Contracting Pitfalls

Event contracts are packed with details, but the event agenda often hides the small mistakes that can create big problems onsite. From incorrect dates to unrealistic setup times, overlooking this section can cost both time and money. Learn about the key contract details to always double-check before signing. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, CEO/founder, Planner Protect

Thu 11/20 at 11 a.m. – Neurodiverse-Strong Leaders: Empowering Great Minds in Leaders, Volunteers, and Staff

Explore how association professionals can excel as neurodiverse executives while fostering an inclusive environment for neurodiverse staff and volunteer leaders. Gain practical strategies to leverage cognitive differences as strengths, improve communication, and create support systems that enhance collaboration and well-being. Through real-world examples and actionable takeaways, learn to navigate challenges, cultivate psychological safety, and promote a culture of belonging. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Sharon Kneebone, Executive Director at American Academy of Pain Medicine
Laurie Kulikosky, CEO at Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Rhonda M. Payne, CEO at Flock Theory
Sara L. Wood, MBA, CAE, Account Executive at MSP
Cynthia Young, CAE, Executive Director, American Art Therapy Association

Thu 11/20 at 12 p.m. – Beyond the Count: Stop the Cycle and Grow Lifetime Value

See how the Lifetime Value of Members (LVM) impacts retention and your bottom line, and why the number of members is less important than their value. Find out how retention is correlated to member segmentation and using LVM data helps identify which members are most likely to renew and invest. Hear about three strategies to cultivate more long-term and higher-value members, increase the average revenue of members, and track the Lifetime Value of Members. Learn how to recruit for retention and enhance the member experience to develop the loyal, long-term members that support your mission. More info/register.

Host: Cathi Hight, President of Hight Performance Group

Thu 11/20 at 12 p.m. – Leading in the Age of AI

The reality of AI is deeply personal: it’s shaping how we spend our time, how we make decisions, and even how we think about the future of our roles. This session will connect association leaders for a series of 1:1 reflective conversations on the real-life impact of AI using Natter, an AI-powered conversational intelligence tool that connects participants in video conversations, anonymously captures perspectives, intelligently analyzes the responses, and shares the insights and results with all participants. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council (EMAC)

Thu 11/20 at 1 p.m. – Marketing on a Shoestring: Smart Planning for Small Teams

Learn to stop running on the hamster wheel of “more, more, more” and instead focus on smart strategies that grow membership. Explore how to better understand your members, nurture them with relevant messages, and create campaigns that attract new members while keeping current ones engaged. Learn how to work smarter by truly understanding your audiences, strengthening current membership communities, optimizing every touchpoint, and building sustainable pathways for growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Olena Lima, CAE, Founder at Membership Marketing School

Thu 11/20 at 4 p.m. – Ask the Association Attorney: Everything You Want to Know

In a Q&A-driven format, this is your opportunity to ask our speaker about any association legal topic on your mind. Explore some of the hottest topics and legal risks creating buzz in the association community. Learn the key red flags you need to be able to spot, what you should do when you spot them, and practical tips and suggestions for protecting your association and mitigating legal risk. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speaker: Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC

Fri 11/21 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 the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and AI and its impact on consulting. More info/register.

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Mon 11/24 at 11 a.m. – Cross-Channel Engagement: The Key to Stronger Member Connections

Host: PropFuel

Speaker: Ryan Graham, Chief Revenue Officer, PropFuel

Tue 11/15 at 11 a.m. – From Batch-And-Blast to 1:1 Messaging: How AI Is Redefining Email Marketing

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Molly Quast, Director of Growth and Strategy, rasa.io

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 Ricardo Gomez Angel via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, Association Academy, and Rogue Tulips links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

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The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this: