December, 2016

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How This Mother Grew her Nonprofit 300%

Wild Apricot

A few years ago, Sarah Rintamaki noticed her two-year-old struggling to speak. Sarah’s long and lonely search for help inspired her to found Connecting for Kids, an organization devoted to helping mothers like her quickly find the education and support they need. Although Sarah had no experience building a nonprofit, she did have one thing that helped her grow Connecting for Kids over 300% from 2012 to 2015.

Education 321
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How To Design a Digital Badge Strategy

WBT Systems

Dramatic changes have occurred in how learning is recognized, accredited and validated. Digital Badges are a part of these changes and are set to make a big impact on education and certification programs in 2017. A flexible, structured Digital Badge Strategy applied to your planned and existing online learning programs will help to validate your badging initiative – ensuring that you meet your learning and organisational goals.

Strategy 261
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Modernize your association with an integrated, cloud-based solution.

YourMembership

Leverage mobile capabilities to access member information anytime, anywhere. Are your strategies limited by your technology? As associations evolve, they sometimes do not have the time or resources to think long term about scalable management software and business productivity solutions. Instead, they react to the immediate needs of their organizations by patching together a […].

Software 214
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What Really Worked in 2016?

Spark Consulting

Beth Brodovsky, who hosts the Driving Participation podcast (and if you haven’t checked it out yet, what are you waiting for?) recently asked a bunch of her former guests this insightful question for a year-end episode. Here’s my answer: One thing that really worked for my clients was talking to their members. I know that sounds obvious, but associations tend to – in my opinion – over-focus on surveying people to the detriment of other methods of learning about our audiences.

Survey 203
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A New Look At Running Grants & Programs: Why Use A System When You Have Excel?

Speaker: Gareth Webb & Phil Selley, Founding Partners at Intouch Business

For many nonprofit organizations and NGOs, managing grants and monitoring projects with spreadsheets and manual processes feels familiar—but is it holding your organization back? As funding requirements become more complex and stakeholder expectations for transparency grow, relying on outdated methods can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and compliance risks.

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Association Brain Food Weekly: 12.2.16

Reid All About it

‘Tis the season for ASAE Tech exhibitor emails. If you’re going to the ASAE Technology Conference, like me, and agreed during registration to receive emails from exhibitors, then you’re probably getting several of them a day. Most of these exhibitors are blowing their one chance to deliver something of value to their target audience’s inbox.

San Jose 193

More Trending

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How an Uncashed Check Led to This Association Tripling Membership

Wild Apricot

In 2012, Kim Elliot discovered that a check she’d written never got cashed. This discovery would inspire her to take over an association that was struggling and turn it around, tripling its membership within the first two years.

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Collaborate, Discover, Explore Learning at ASAE Tech 2016

WBT Systems

WBT Systems will be exhibiting our award-winning TopClass Learning Management System and association learning solutions at Booth #615 during ASAE Tech 2016 , December 13-14. ASAE Technology Conference will help association executives to “ keep an eye on trends and leverage the best approaches to stay adaptable, overcome challenges, and move quickly into the future.

LMS 215
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5 questions to better market your career center.

YourMembership

Nothing promotes a career center like putting relevant, niche jobs in front of professionals. When it comes time to look for a new job, professionals turn first to associations, which are among the best places to start. That’s because they know employers savvy enough to recruit via their relevant association channels are looking for […].

Marketing 203
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What Will 2017 Hold?

Spark Consulting

Aptify set out to answer this question, at least for associations, in their recent e-book: Top Association Management Predictions for 2017. In the monograph, 13 association pros (including me) share their thoughts about the future as relates to topics like member engagement, online learning, culture, innovation, membership models, growth, M&A in the AMS space, and change management.

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Find New Non-Dues Revenue Streams for Your Organization with This Free Guide

Struggling to generate revenue beyond membership dues? You're not alone. Our free guide, The Ultimate Guide to Non-Dues Revenue for Associations , offers practical strategies to help your organization boost financial health. Inside, you'll explore creative ways to generate income, including: Educational offerings tailored to your audience Event-based revenue opportunities Job boards that drive engagement and income Corporate sponsorship ideas A checklist to evaluate and strengthen your current a

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Association Brain Food Weekly: 12.9.16

Reid All About it

It’s the most wonderful time of the year …Christmas, Hanukkah, frosty nights, comfort food, warm fires, cozy slippers, wool sweaters, and ASAE Tech. Huh? One of those things doesn’t belong, you say? Well, it does in my world and the world of my fellow association tech geeks – you know who you are. It’s a crazy time of year for a conference but somehow that makes it even more special.

Tools 186
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How Much Does an Event App Cost?

Socious

If you’re considering creating a mobile app for your members, you’re not alone. There are roughly 2.2 million apps in the Google Play store and close to 2 million in the Apple App Store. Each of those apps cost quite a bit of money, although how much money ranges from several thousand dollars to several million.

Cost 174
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23 Free Nonprofit Webinars for January 2017

Wild Apricot

Start 2017 with a boost to your professional skill set with some free education. Each month we compile a list of the best free nonprofit webinars for you to attend. This month's webinars feature online fundraising best practices, software training, and how to find new donors this year.

Software 273
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Which Association Learning Trends Predictions Came True in 2016?

WBT Systems

With just a couple of weeks to the end of the year and a huge variety of association learning solutions being showcased this week at ASAE Technology Conference 2016 , it’s a good time to look back at the association learning trends that were predicted for 2016 and see which of these are still relevant. Which trends will be relevant to the associations attending ASAE Tech 16, looking to enhance or revise their learning technologies?

LMS 197
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Forecasting Failures Are Costly: Heres How To Fix Them

Speaker: Dave Sackett

Traditional budgeting and forecasting methods can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty. To stay ahead, finance leaders must leverage a future-forward approach—one that leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and continuous planning to drive smarter financial decisions.

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‘A’ is for automation: how a simple word can change your world.

YourMembership

Association auto-renewal + advanced reporting automation enables engagement + retention. As associations become more and more data-driven, the need for automation and efficiency is even more critical. Member expectations are growing faster than ever, board members are seeking return on technology investments, and association professionals are tasked to not only meet, but exceed, these goals […].

Report 199
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Yes, We Opened That Can of Worms

Higher Logic

It’s fun talking about community strategy at the 50,000 foot, theoretical level, but sometimes you need to dig in and ask the nitty gritty questions. At Super Forum 2016, Higher Logic’s team of six community managers did just that in a two part break out session, “Let’s Open a Can of Worms.” We dove right into the weeds of many topics that community builders deal with every day.

Tips 163
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Association Brain Food Weekly: 12.9.16

Reid All About it

It’s the most wonderful time of the year …Christmas, Hanukkah, frosty nights, comfort food, warm fires, cozy slippers, wool sweaters, and ASAE Tech. Huh? One of those things doesn’t belong, you say? Well, it does in my world and the world of my fellow association tech geeks – you know who you are. It’s a crazy time of year for a conference but somehow that makes it even more special.

Tools 179
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4 Easy Steps to Effectively Evaluate Membership Management Software

Socious

Maybe it was a Friday afternoon and you were just counting down the minutes until the weekend. Then the board, your boss, or maybe a staff member uttered those dreaded words, “ I think we need new membership management software.” While new software can be exciting, the idea of sitting through countless hours of demos and sales presentations is enough to take the joy out of anything.

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The Everyday Donor: Unlocking Prospecting Segments Through Behavior Analysis

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!

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Take The Quiz: Are You Managing Your Membership Database Like The Top Nonprofits?

Wild Apricot

To find out how your database management processes stack up against the top nonprofits, take this short quiz that Wes Trochlil (Founder of Effective Database Management) helped us put together. This quiz is designed to help you identify areas to improve, and give you expert tips. At the bottom of the quiz, compare your score against others.

Tips 265
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WBT Systems’ TopClass maintains position as #1 LMS for Associations

WBT Systems

For the second consecutive year, WBT Systems’ TopClass LMS has been named the #1 Learning Management System for Associations in the Talented Learning LMS Vendor Awards. This award honors the learning solution vendor which best caters for the unique and varied requirements of associations that provide education and certification programs for their members. ( TrainingPressReleases.com ) – WBT Systems’ TopClass LMS has been named as the #1 Association Learning Management System for the seco

LMS 174
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’Tis the season for product roadmaps.

YourMembership

Here’s where YourMembership is headed in 2017, and beyond, to drive more member engagement + increase membership for forward-thinking associations. Around this time, everyone is eager to learn what the New Year will bring. YM customers and partners are no different. YourMembership’s Product Roadmap constantly evolves. But, when the rubber hits the road in 2017, […].

Products 177
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‘Tis the Season for Giving

Virtual

We’re fortunate at Virtual to be in a position to support many worthy causes in the Boston area. Over the past few years, we’ve given tens of thousands of dollars to charitable causes ranging from the Jimmy Fund, to supporting employees who participate in various charity walks and runs, to volunteering our time at Habitat for Humanity and more. As CEO, I’ve been fortunate to have been the recipient of the thanks and good feelings that go along with that giving.

Boston 159
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2025 Association Survey Results Report

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

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Association Brain Food Weekly: 12.2.16

Reid All About it

‘Tis the season for ASAE Tech exhibitor emails. If you’re going to the ASAE Technology Conference, like me, and agreed during registration to receive emails from exhibitors, then you’re probably getting several of them a day. Most of these exhibitors are blowing their one chance to deliver something of value to their target audience’s inbox.

San Jose 179
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3 Things Your Conference Attendees Want to Do on Their Phones [Research]

Socious

77% of people say that when they’re attending live events they often (or always) use their smartphones for business. Another 13% say they sometimes use their smartphones, while only 10% say they rarely or never use their phones. That means that 90% of your event attendees are on their smartphones. So where are you?

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The Biggest List of Tips For Smooth Succession Planning

Wild Apricot

Over the years, we’ve gathered tips from hundreds of board members who have all been through succession planning themselves. Right now, his is the biggest list of tips for succession planning on the internet!

Tips 245
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Successful Communities Give Up Power

Higher Logic

It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s true - successful communities give up power. No, that doesn’t mean they throw out their community guidelines and nix all the rules - a certain amount of structure is important. But over-management is sure to kill engagement, which is the last thing you want. Much like an over-managing supervisor or boss, an over-managing community team can leave a bad taste for members and disincentivize them from engaging and taking ownership in the community.

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Navigating Payroll Compliance: Future-Proofing Payroll in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape

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.

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Solving real-world problems through learners.

YourMembership

No matter your politics, our country needs associations. The challenges are our industry’s to take. Collectively, we are at a pivotal point in U.S. history, and associations will be key to bring viable solutions to our country and its challenges. This is no lofty aspiration or illusion of grandeur. While other civic institutions are reeling, […].

Resources 174
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The Most Important Things to Consider When Creating Your Association’s Annual Budget

Virtual

The budget: The lifeblood of any organization. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations wrestle continually with maintaining and improving their overall operations. Regardless of tax status, organizations must constantly strive for sustainability while keeping the mission in mind. Budgets should be a major part of every organization's plan. The budget is the realistic financial blueprint for the manifestation of an organization’s mission and goals.

Arizona 125
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Association Brain Food Weekly: 12.16.16

Reid All About it

I believe. Who else is getting excited about Christmas? Now that I’m back from the ASAE Technology Conference & Expo , it’s time to get festive. Although, thanks to the good cheer of ASAE attendees and exhibitors, I’ve been feeling pretty festive these past few days. This tweet sums up my emotions about ASAE Tech aka #tech16. I sent it out right before heading into the last session of the last day.

Project 153