Spark Consulting
OCTOBER 2, 2024
In one of the breakout rooms in yesterday’s monthly Prometheus Consortium First Tuesday Zoom , we focused on member engagement. Some of the usual topics came up – member-centric (versus association-centric) engagement , the unassailable math of online community success, specific issues and trends in the particular professions and industries participants’ association serve – but there were a few fresh takes, too.
NetForum
OCTOBER 29, 2024
How much value has your organization placed on association certifications? Today, professional certifications are increasingly recognized as an essential tool for career advancement. However, association professionals and members are currently divided on the importance of certifications and credentialing associations. The latest Association Trends Research found that 51% of members value certifications or credentials, while only 37% […] Association certifications 101: How to drive membersh
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Association Analytics
OCTOBER 21, 2024
Members are the backbone of any association. Not a deep thought, not particularly revelatory, just something that is. This is the thought that should – and for the most part does – drive the actions, plan, and thoughts of what association professionals do in their day-to-day and their long-term planning. And yet, time and again, the biggest need, the most basic question that associations have is, what do members want?
Wild Apricot
OCTOBER 3, 2024
Do you find yourself sending a thousand emails to your volunteers that never get opened? Here's why you might want to send them a volunteer newsletter instead, plus great examples and templates you can use.
Speaker: Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand
Do you really know your donors? Not just what they give, but who they are? 👥 In this interactive session, we’ll break down how nonprofits can use behavioral indicators (affinity, recency, frequency, and monetary value) to build prospecting segments that go beyond wealth screening and actually align with donor identity. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to move beyond basic demographics and cultivate supporters based on how they already engage with you!
Association Analytics
OCTOBER 7, 2024
The role of the marketer – particularly in associations, and especially focusing on content delivery – has changed drastically over the last decade, perhaps and only seems to be speeding up. Associations are facing an issue of an increasingly digitized membership, and need to roll with the times to make sure their messaging and content reach the right eyes and ears, at the right time.
Association Universe brings together the best content for association members and organizers from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Wild Apricot
OCTOBER 17, 2024
Learn effective strategies to grow your nonprofit's donor base, engage supporters and drive meaningful impact with lead generation. Learn tips, tools, and best practices to maximize your organization's outreach.
AvidXchange: Association Management
OCTOBER 15, 2024
For community association management (CAM) companies, staying updated on industry trends is important for maintaining efficient operations, meeting evolving resident needs, and adopting new technologies. In August 2024, AvidXchange surveyed 500 accounting and finance leaders to learn their top priorities and concerns for 2025. Our “ 2025 Finance Focus ” guide shares details on the top seven trends that emerged from their responses.
The Association 100
OCTOBER 6, 2024
On The A100 Podcast , Margaret Vitullo of the Linguistic Society of America shares her innovative approach to leadership and member engagement. Vitullo dives into challenges facing scholarly societies, including shifts in revenue models and evolving member expectations. She introduces “fractal leadership,” a model focused on shared responsibility and community at all levels.
AssociationChat
OCTOBER 25, 2024
Enhancing Food & Beverage Inclusivity at Association Events In today’s fast-paced, diverse world, creating inclusive and memorable experiences at association events requires an eye for detail and a commitment to meeting everyone’s needs. Our latest episode, previously titled, “Creating Inclusive F&B Experiences in Association Events,” but now called, “Feeling Othered at the Association Breakfast Table” takes a look at the often ignored yet critically i
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Is messy, outdated, or duplicate data making it harder to track engagement, revenue, and performance? Poor data quality can slow your organization down and prevent you from making informed decisions. With The Dirty Data Guide , you'll discover: Practical steps to clean your data and maintain accuracy over time. A checklist to help your team implement data hygiene best practices.
Reid All About it
OCTOBER 11, 2024
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community… Hurricane Helene. Less than 1% of households in the hardest-hit mountain counties of North Carolina are protected by the National Flood Insurance Program. People have lost their homes, perhaps their businesses or jobs, and all their worldly goods. I can’t even fathom the loss of lives—we haven’t yet heard the worst of it.
Spark Consulting
OCTOBER 30, 2024
Novelty or loyalty? We’ve all heard the come-ons: Switch your cable/cell/Internet/long distance provider and we’ll give you gifts, or better pricing, or premium services for free, or whatever. Everybody’s always looking for new customers, right? Association professionals should know better. But we don’t. We know that a retained member is more valuable than a new member.
Wild Apricot
OCTOBER 9, 2024
Recruiting volunteers doesn't have to be difficult. Create your own recruitment process and engage your volunteers with tips from this amazing guide!
Nimble AMS
OCTOBER 16, 2024
The chill of winter is in the air, and Salesforce has rolled out an exciting lineup with the Winter ’25 product release. Don’t miss out on the latest innovations and enhancements! Check out our blog for the top four Salesforce Winter ‘25 product updates and learn how your organization can take advantage of these powerful new features. 4 Salesforce Winter ‘25 product release highlights Are you looking to enhance your association’s productivity and simplify your processes?
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GrowthZone’s 11th annual survey highlights trends, challenges, and strategies shaping the membership industry through insights from U.S. and Canadian association professionals. Get your copy of the 2025 Association Survey Results Report to see how your organization measures up: The biggest challenges associations are facing Membership retention trends and non-renewal insights Strategies for automatic renewals and reinstatements Shifts in member engagement tactics Why members are joining (and sta
The Association 100
OCTOBER 20, 2024
On The Association 100 Podcast , Bennie F. Johnson, CEO of the American Marketing Association, shares his insights on the evolving role of marketing and how AMA supports professionals across the globe. Johnson discusses the importance of embracing disruptive change, especially with the rise of AI, and highlights the critical role of community in navigating this new landscape.
Associations Now
OCTOBER 29, 2024
Under pressure to create memorable experiences on a budget, planners are looking for creative solutions. Meeting planners are looking to deliver more bespoke and personalized experiences to attendees, while struggling to manage tighter budgets and sustainability goals, according to a new report. What’s Trending 2025 , a white paper published earlier this month by the events management firm BCD Meetings & Events, emphasized the importance of personalization in meetings design.
Reid All About it
OCTOBER 25, 2024
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community… “Wild is the music of the autumnal winds amongst the faded woods.” —William Wordsworth Hurricane recovery. Association Executives of North Carolina has gathered resources for those who want to support the recovery efforts of people in western NC. Or, Love Asheville From Afar by shopping at online stores or contributing to fundraising efforts in Asheville.
Spark Consulting
OCTOBER 23, 2024
The Association Climate Action Coalition , a Community of Practice of experienced association consultants, executives, and advisors who have convened to address one of the most pressing issues of our time, has just launched our new Resource Library. The library offers podcasts, webinars, white papers, articles, tools, news, and other resources related to the Anthropocene climate disruption; the ways it will affect associations’ internal operations, member-facing programs, products, and ser
Speaker: Jennifer Hill
Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Wild Apricot
OCTOBER 28, 2024
Learn the key differences between a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(6) organization. How do these classifications impact your revenue streams and how to maintain compliance.
Association Adviser
OCTOBER 10, 2024
Today, associations are finding it increasingly necessary to optimize their communication strategies. Whether it’s engaging members, attracting new audiences, or maintaining relevance in their industries, associations must leverage effective communications to stay competitive. However, many associations struggle to pinpoint where they are falling short.
The Association 100
OCTOBER 20, 2024
In my role, I aim to embed diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility into all facets of our publication’s ecosystem. DEIA is fundamentally core to our strategic plan. Through targeted initiatives like our name change policy, accessibility audits and the creation of our DEIA committee, we ensure these principles are at the forefront of everything we do.
Associations Now
OCTOBER 25, 2024
In the midst of a contentious election, opinions among your people can get heated. Expect that it’ll continue after Election Day—and have a plan for hearing people out. With the election season in full swing and polls suggesting a neck-and-neck race on the U.S. presidential ticket, a sense of anxiety among staff—and perhaps members—is understandable.
Speaker: Jessica Bonney from VICA and Jeff Horne from Wicket
What does delivering an exceptional member experience mean in today's world? With the right insights, tools, and strategies, you can identify what truly matters to your members, drive meaningful engagement at scale, and continue to meet the ever-evolving needs of your members. Join association experts Jessica Bonney from VICA and Jeff Horne from Wicket who will share practical insights on how to build an exceptional member-driven experience by gaining a deeper understanding of your members and d
AssociationChat
OCTOBER 14, 2024
Food justice and board governance…just two of the big topics covered in this week’s top pods! It’s that time of the week again, association pros! We’ve rounded up 7 must-listen podcasts that dive into everything from controversial conversations to innovative member engagement strategies. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve on AI, get insights into food justice, or better understand board governance, this playlist is packed with actionable takeaways for anyone in the ass
Spark Consulting
OCTOBER 16, 2024
In the latest episode of the “Engaging in the Next” podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with Colby Horton and Frank Humada about why it’s crucial for associations to take action on climate change and sustainability. Our conversation addressed the importance of measuring and actively reducing carbon footprints, urging associations to move beyond relying on carbon offsets.
Wild Apricot
OCTOBER 28, 2024
Nonprofit direct mail fundraising is a great way to find new donors. Here are our best tips for making sure your campaign is a success.
Nimble AMS
OCTOBER 11, 2024
Strong data security practices are vital for the integrity of your association. But how secure is your organizational data? Breaches are highly detrimental to all organizations. Not only do you risk the trust of your members by mismanaging their data, but you risk millions of dollars in recovery efforts. Shockingly, the latest Association Trends Study reports that just 34% of association professionals rank their organization as an excellent technology user when protecting member data with additi
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Customer education has become a key driver for growth, retention, and product adoption. Our latest 2024 State of Customer Education Report uncovers critical data and insights from a survey of over 200 industry leaders, offering a look at the evolving role of education in driving business success. Inside, you'll find data on key trends and strategies, including: Strategies for Scaling & Customization: Find out which investments in learning technology deliver the biggest ROI and scalability.
The Association 100
OCTOBER 20, 2024
On The A100 Podcast , Nathan Chamberlain, director of membership for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, shares his expert insights into building member value through empathy-driven strategies and cutting-edge technology. Chamberlain discusses how AANA prioritizes fast, accurate member services and explores their innovative micro-credentialing program, designed to meet members’ evolving educational needs.
Associations Now
OCTOBER 22, 2024
A white paper from the National Association of Corporate Directors suggests boards are at risk of succumbing to short-term, reactive responses to trends like generative AI. Boards are struggling to be fit to respond to a rapidly changing technological environment, according to a new report. Technology Leadership in the Boardroom: Driving Trust and Value , released earlier this month by the National Association of Corporate Directors, describes how new technologies, especially generative AI, have
Elevating Engagement
OCTOBER 14, 2024
Do you suspect that your organization’s research is boring? Here are some ideas to make research more interesting, meaningful, and fun! It’s often difficult to get enough responses. People are busy, and putting data and opinions in takes time. Getting people to read the reports is also challenging because some research reports are a compilation of hundreds of dry pages that end up sitting on people’s physical or virtual bookshelves and are rarely thought of.
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