Association Transformation – Details, episodes & analysis

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No one seems to talk honestly about succession. So Andrew and Elisa will. This week they dive deep into the often-neglected world of board succession planning. Brace yourself for a no-holds-barred discussion as these governance gurus challenge common misconceptions and offer practical insights. From debunking the "warm body" effect to exploring the selfish motivations behind volunteering, Andrew and Elisa leave no stone unturned. They tackle thorny issues like term limits, the role of nominating committees, and the delicate balance between experience and fresh perspectives. Whether you're a seasoned board member or an association executive, this episode is your roadmap to building a robust leadership pipeline and ensuring your organization's future success. Don't miss this chance to transform your approach to board succession – your association's future depends on it!

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We welcome special guest Chris Huizenga, Director of Professional Development at the Chicago Association of Realtors and co-founder of Desklight. Building on the findings of our microlearning whitepaper, Chris challenges traditional notions of educational offerings and shares innovative strategies for creating member value. Learn why education should be at the core of your association's mission, how to compete in a crowded market, and why failure might be your best teacher. From rethinking curriculum design to leveraging technology, this episode offers practical insights for associations looking to transform their educational programs. Don't miss this chance to reimagine professional development and position your association for success in 2025 and beyond.

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In the latest episode of the Association Transformation Andrew and Elisa sit down with the renowned Mervyn Pilley, Co-Founder of the Society of Association Management (SAM). Mervyn shares SAM's mission and a new approach to promoting, protecting, and evangelizing the current and next generation of membership management professionals in their career development. With a rich history dating back to the 1930s, the modern-day SAM aims to fill the gap left by its predecessors by providing a strong career path, especially in smaller, more niche membership organizations. We talk member engagement, credentialing and nonprofit professional development. Associations of all types can learn from the re-emergence of SAM. Our in-depth conversation provides a reintroduction to SAM’s vision of support the next generation of membership professionals.

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These are uncertain times and all professional associations, irrespective of membership demographic, geographic focus, or financial strength, are striving to operate at peak efficiency and effectiveness, and to support their members in increasingly fragile socio-economic and political environments. Now, perhaps for the first time in generations, membership associations must be wholly pragmatic in ensuring they add durable value to their members’ professions, industries and communities. This is a reality that transcends borders. Given these mounting challenges and expectations, volunteer board members are increasingly required to support association staff by playing more decisive, strategic, and generative roles within the organisations. 

Within the voluntary environment of association governance, it can be difficult to find time, resources or suitable avenues for personal development, and yet for directors to be successful as effective leaders, a commitment from associations to their directors’ continual professional development is critical. To help us understand what makes real and effective board training we have invited 3 highly experienced guests.

Joining Elisa and Andrew on the podcast today is Shawn Burnam, Vice President of Operations at Performance Contracting Inc ., Chris Williams, Director of Membership at Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry and Steve Hayes, President at TOPRA.

This podcast is being released to coincide with the launch of IMPACT A signature program delivered in partnership by Brewer Pratt Solutions and Consort Strategy. To find out more about this unique and exciting program visit https://associationtransformation.org/about-1

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What does the loss of in-person events mean for associations? During 2020 some associations have been adept at diversifying their membership services and related income streams and have benefited from doing so. On the flip side, however, those associations that have failed to respond to circumstances and adapt accordingly have suffered financially. Our research demonstrates a definite economic impact on associations following the crash of the events industry but interestingly, that impact has not only been negative.

In this episode Andrew and Elisa have invited three events industry experts to discuss this intertwined relationship between events and associations. They welcome Rob Eveleigh, Managing Director at Brightelm, Ed Trantor, Managing Director at 73 Media and Director at the Association of Event Organisers and Jennifer Young, President, eVoque event management group ltd.

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Coronavirus has brought many unprecedented challenges upon the association community, the most prominent being financial. Lots of associations have been forced to dip into their reserves to help keep them afloat; mitigate risks by forecasting near unforecastable futures; and demonstrate new ways of solving complex financial problems. Navigating this uncertain economic landscape successfully requires creativity and innovation which, in turn, requires strong and effective leadership. To help us with this conversation today, we have just that. Joining Andrew and Elisa is Kevin Madden, Chief Financial Officer at the National Apartment Association.

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In today's episode, Andrew and Elisa "travel" (digitally, of course) all the way down to the southern hemisphere to Australia where they speak with Toni Brearley, Chief Executive Officer at the Australasian Society of Association Executives. 

To date, Association Transformation has remained a transatlantic conversation and so we are so excited to go totally global in this episode. The hosts and Toni take a deep dive into the issues surrounding associations in Australia and New Zealand and the creative and exciting solutions that they're implementing to overcome these issues. They talk international collaboration and innovation, experimental member content, hybrid events and much, much more. 

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Association governance is an integral part of running a successful organisation can often be perceived as a burden and is therefore overlooked as an opportunity. In today's episode Andrew and Elisa aim to start lifting the lid on governance and get people thinking of it in a much more positive and strategic light. 

In conversation today are Monica Million, Immediate Past President of the National Emergency Number Association, Nicola Rylett, Trustee of the Institute of Leadership & Management and Caroline Bovey, Chair of the British Dietetic Association.

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We all know starting a new position, no matter what it is, comes with its challenges. Becoming a c-suite executive for the first time is no different. Today, Andrew and Elisa chat to two first-time chief executives - Molly Georgakis, Executive Director at the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Mike Stark, Chief Executive at the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry - about what it has been like to lead an association for the first time, especially in these turbulent times. We chat about the greatest challenges that they have faced so far and what impact COVID has had on them and their organisations. We also talk about the opportunities and silver linings that come with the job; and we project forward through their aspirations for 2021.

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Given the engagement challenges and revenue disruptions brought by the pandemic, everyone is looking to do more with less. Does today’s environment make partnerships even more appealing? Whether partnerships, coalitions, or collaborations, what are the pros and cons of these cross-organization relationships? What does each side bring to the table and expect in return? Are there economies of scale and opportunities to share costs? How do you balance egos and measure impact? We get straight to the point with a master of powerful partnerships and CEO of the pet industry’s government affairs and advocacy arm, Mike Bober.

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