The Association 100 Podcast
By The Association 100
The podcast will feature meaningful conversations with association professionals across the country taking a deeper dive into trending topics, offering insights that both inform and inspire.
theassociation100.com/
The Association 100 PodcastAug 03, 2023
The Impact of Advocacy and Storytelling in Biomedical Research
In the latest episode of The A100 Podcast, we sit down with Carter Alleman, the Director of Government Affairs & Science Policy at the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). Show co-hosts, OnWrd & UpWrd’s Meghan Henning and Keaveny Hewitt dive into the intersection of advocacy and storytelling with Carter, exploring its profound impact on scientific progress.
ASPET, a renowned association with approximately 6,000 dedicated members, occupies a prominent position in research. Their primary focus centers on unraveling the intricate interactions between drug compounds and the human body. Their work serves as the vital first steps in pioneering treatments and drugs destined for the market, as well as contributing to the development of life-changing medications.
However, despite their pivotal role in healthcare advancements, ASPET continually grapples with a recurring challenge – securing funding for their work. Often heralded as the true incubators of discovery in the United States, they heavily depend on funding from sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation. Unfortunately, their funding is all too frequently subject to budget cuts during the appropriations process, posing a substantial obstacle to their mission.
As a way to combat that, Carter shares that ASPET actively engages its members in the advocacy process. He acknowledges that scientists may not inherently gravitate toward advocacy, given its perceived political nature. Therefore, ASPET underscores the power of storytelling as a formidable tool in their advocacy efforts.
Carter talks through one of their initiatives, the Washington Fellows program, which is an innovative program that escorts 10 early-career scientists to Capitol Hill, where they share their research and forge direct connections with policymakers. These personal interactions bridge the gap between science and policy. This program is an integral part of a broader strategy aimed at preparing members to become active participants in shaping policy discussions, rather than passive observers.
ASPET is keenly aware that effective advocacy extends beyond mere congressional testimony; it hinges on active engagement with elected officials who share common interests and concerns.
In an era where science has become increasingly entwined with politics, ASPET acknowledges the inseparable nature of these two realms. While government funding and support are indispensable for scientific progress, they also recognize the necessity of navigating the intricate political landscape while steadfastly remaining committed to their overarching mission of advancing public health.
To gain further insights into the ever-evolving relationship between science, advocacy, and policy, be sure to tune in to this episode of The A100 podcast.
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Afloat on Innovation: The Sea Tow Foundation's Life-Saving Challenge
In this episode of The A100 podcast, hosts Keaveny Hewitt and Meghan Henning are joined by guest Gail Kulp, Executive Director of the Sea Tow Foundation. Broadcast live from ASAE, the group discusses the organization's Life Jacket Challenge initiative in addition to tips for operating as a two-person team with limited resources.
Gail introduces the Life Jacket Challenge, which tests participants’ ability to locate and put on a life jacket in less than 30 seconds. She explains that most boaters refrain from wearing life jackets, often keeping them underneath seats or in lockers. The initiative is intended to simulate real-life, water-based boating emergencies, emphasizing the difficulty of putting a life jacket on in such situations.
Keaveny draws an analogy between wearing life jackets and fastening seat belts during a car crash, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and taking proactive measures before emergencies happen.
“Life jackets save lives, but really only if they’re worn.” Gail shares statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, citing 75% of boating incident victims drowned, and of those drowning victims, a shocking 85% were not wearing a life jacket. She adds that most people only wear a life jacket on board when it’s required.
Hit play now to discover how the Sea Tow Foundation, operating as a two-person team, manages to stay creative and innovative with limited resources.
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Breaking Barriers and Making Science Accessible to All
Join OnWrd & UpWrd co-hosts Meghan Henning and Keaveny Hewitt as they talk retention, open access to research, and effective engagement strategies with Shannon Reed, Director of Community Engagement at The Electrochemical Society (ECS). The organization plays a critical role in powering the sustainability of the future by publishing foundational research around things like corrosion and lithium ion batteries.
Shannon discusses their groundbreaking “Free the Science” program initiated in 2014. The program has a simple mission: make published research freely accessible to everyone since having open access to science contributes to the advancement of the field. ECS has fully embraced this, by making all of the research in their highly peer-reviewed journal available for free. He also stresses the importance of developing transformative agreements with their publishing partners to make the research free and accessible.
“Imagine you are in a library and you’re doing your research and you can only read an abstract. You can’t access an article because the library doesn’t have a subscription to the journal,” Shannon noted. “Especially in underrepresented communities or underrepresented countries- not having to have a subscription allows people to access that content, so that allows for advancement.”
The group also discusses ECS’ Battery Workforce Development Program, an initiative to prepare students at the master’s or doctoral level with the knowledge and skills of electrochemists. Shannon’s vision for the program goes further, with plans to expand it to community colleges and undergraduate levels, ensuring that a wide range of people can access the education. He envisions partnerships with governmental organizations and industry titans like Ford and Tesla to expand the program.
Discover the most impactful engagement strategies Shannon has encountered, from tailored membership options for early career professionals to creating more networking opportunities at technical meetings. Don’t miss this chat that explores the power of science, education, and collaboration in driving change.
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Where the Rubber Meets the Road – Bridging Gaps and Building Futures
On this episode of the A100, OnWrd & UpWrd host Colleen Gallagher talks with Lakisha Barclay, Executive Director & CEO of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS). With over a century of history, the Rubber Division, ACS is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of their membership and the industry.
Lakisha explains that the Division’s key to success is actively listening to its members and the industry as a whole. By understanding what their community needs and desires, they can develop and provide relevant initiatives and programs. The pair emphasize the importance of creating a sense of belonging and providing opportunities for members to be heard and to build relationships with others in the industry.
One significant achievement she highlights is the organization’s focus on engaging students. They instituted student-focused initiatives to attract and support students in the industry, resulting in a more than 50% growth in student membership. This includes asking undergraduate and graduate programs to help fund students’ attendance at events like annual conferences, where they can witness first-hand the breadth and nature of the industry.
During the podcast, they also discuss how the Rubber Division has a technical program that bridges academia with industry professionals. The program allows for collaboration between the two groups, ensuring that “academia can hear from industry on what’s important… so they know where to drive their research.”
Lakisha also emphasizes the importance of creating networking opportunities that allow members to connect and foster relationships. She recognizes that members want more than just technical sessions; they seek opportunities to connect and need breaks during jam-packed conferences and events.
Towards the end, Lakisha shares her vision for the future, which includes growing the organization’s women’s program and empowering younger generations to take on leadership roles. Hit play for valuable insights on how to improve your association’s approach to community building and leadership.
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Mobilizing Members to Engage in Advocacy Efforts
Introducing the latest episode of the A100 Podcast with your OnWrd & UpWrd host Meghan Henning. Broadcast live from the ASAE conference in Atlanta this August, Meghan is joined by Sean Luechtefeld, the Vice President of Membership and Communication at ANCOR.
ANCOR is a community of over 2,100 organizations dedicated to delivering services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to live independently. From providing virtual program services to job and employment training, ANCOR’s members operate a wide range of services united by a common goal: community inclusion for people with disabilities.
In this episode, Sean speaks to how the organization fosters collaboration, engages stakeholders, and tackles challenges faced by the disability services sector. The conversation focuses on ANCOR’s advocacy efforts and how they align with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They also touch on how to encourage members to use their voice and advocate for important issues.
“How do we identify the right message for the right audience at the right time? But then how do we build the capacity of our members to advance that message?”
Tune in to this insightful episode to learn how to enhance your association’s advocacy efforts and mobilize members of your community.
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Investing in Diversity
Join us for the latest episode of The A100 as Jeanne Wolf, CEO at CFA Society Boston, delves into the world of investments and their ongoing efforts to foster inclusivity within the industry. Podcast co-hosts Meghan Henning and Keaveny Hewitt chat with Jeanne about key strategies to foster inclusivity, measuring the success of these campaigns, and collaborating with stakeholders to amplify DEI initiatives.
CFA Society Boston is a community of over 6,000 investment professionals, part of the broader global network of CFA Institute. Their members are primarily investment and asset managers, ranging from those overseeing 401K portfolios to institutional investments and university endowments. The discussion centers around CFA Society Boston’s efforts to promote inclusivity in a predominantly male-dominated industry.
Jeanne emphasizes that while the field doesn’t fully represent the diversity of our communities, change is underway. They draw inspiration from industries like law, accounting and medicine that have successfully diversified their ranks and associated membership organizations. In terms of assessing the impact and measuring the success of their efforts, the organization uses both qualitative and quantitative metrics. Qualitatively, they assess whether people feel included, and they gauge the representation of diverse leadership at events, board meetings, and the committee level.
She also touched on the undergraduate Women in Investment Management Internship, a partnership involving the society, its members, and local universities. It has grown substantially over the years, expanding beyond just women to include more diverse participants from underrepresented groups. The program provides a supportive environment for aspiring investment professionals and connects them with peers who share their journey.
Jeanne discusses how their organization gives back by providing financial literacy to underserved communities. One such example is partnerships with Massachusetts correctional institutions to bring financial education to prisoners.
Stream this episode to learn more about CFA Society Boston’s journey towards inclusivity, the impact of their initiatives, and how they’re shaping a more diverse and equitable investment profession through partnerships.
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Driving Innovation Through Diversity
Join us for the latest episode of The A100 as Eduardo Arabu, CEO of The National Hispanic Corporate Council, shares his insights on actionable steps associations can take to be more inclusive and the difference between mentorship and sponsorship. Podcast co-hosts Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning chat with Eduardo about key strategies for associations when it comes to DEI and driving member engagement among young professionals.
Eduardo advises associations who haven’t already embedded DEI into the way they operate to look inward first, review best practices and then bring someone on board to coach or guide you on these efforts. The why is clear – statistics show a more diverse workforce drives innovation and gives companies a competitive advantage over other organizations.
Diverse perspectives allow you to see the world differently and from that opportunity is born. Eduardo stresses the importance of being intentional about your DEI efforts – it won’t just happen unless you make a strategic effort to do it right.
The conversation shifts to growing leaders within your association and Eduardo discusses the difference between mentorship and sponsorship. A lot of organizations have mentorship programs that help individuals mobilize their career, but what isn’t always talked about is sponsorship. “Sponsorship is the individual who is talking about you when you’re not in the room,” says Eduardo.
The three move on to tackle a challenge for so many associations – engaging younger generations. They agree that it comes back to identifying the value proposition through the lens of these young professionals and then being able to tell the story of why they should be a part of this association.
This is a can’t miss episode that is not only packed with actionable insights, but will push you into self-reflection mode when it comes to thinking about how your association operates.
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The Power of Mission – Navigating Change and AI in Legacy Organizations
The latest episode of The A100 podcast features Barb Jones, CEO of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), alongside OnWrd & UpWrd’s Meghan Henning. Broadcast live from the ASAE annual conference, the two discuss artificial intelligence and how to manage change within a well-established organization.
CLSI boasts a history that spans five decades, with only three CEOs in charge throughout its existence. Barb says that navigating change within this legacy organization has been remarkably easy. When your mission is deeply ingrained, well-structured and widely understood, change is natural. It’s a testament to the power of a strong mission.
The pair also discussed the increasing popularity of artificial intelligence and how it could potentially impact the clinical and laboratory domain. Barb has a data scientist daughter who has shared insights into the intricacies of AI. She explains it as a computer program that is tirelessly learning from vast amounts of data, 24/7, more than we as humans could ever do in years. It never gets tired, and it never has to sleep. The challenge lies in the data itself, since biased or false information can influence artificial intelligence’s outcomes. As Barb puts it, “you can use these very powerful tools about 80 percent of the way, and then there’s a point at which you need to have humans come in and be a part of the process.”
Barb and Meghan agree that there are challenges, but also opportunities that come with the use of artificial intelligence. There needs to be a middle ground in terms of using it, and organizations that have determined effective use cases have a leg up.
Tune in to this episode for an in-depth look at how organizations can thrive by embracing change and harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence.
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Resilience in Action – Making Education and Collaboration the Cornerstones of Membership Success
On the latest episode of The A100, OnWrd & UpWrd co-hosts Colleen Gallagher and Christine Stay talk with Suzanne Bohle, executive vice president for the Council of State Restaurant Associations. Suzanne shares the challenges that state restaurant associations have faced in recent years as the pandemic had a massive impact on the restaurant industry, and talks about how it forced them to become more nimble and innovative.
She talks about the prominent role government affairs plays in their efforts at the national, state and local levels, and highlights the power of storytelling when they bring the restaurant operators themselves to meet with legislators.
CSRA works to make it easier for their state restaurant association members to empower their members to navigate changing consumer preferences, technology advancements and sustainability concerns along with workforce issues. It’s all about bringing members together to share industry best practices. She also talks about CSRA’s focus on professional development and information sharing, as the association offers both virtual and in-person opportunities to meet their members’ needs.
“At our restaurants and in our industry, you've got from baby boomers to millennials to Gen X to Gen Z. How do they work? What are their work traits? How do you motivate them?” Suzanne shares when talking about one of the ways CSRA provides value for their members through bringing in topical conference speakers. “So what we do is we educate our members. We plant the seeds. A lot of that they'll take back to their members. Some of it's to educate the associations, but some of this is to educate them so they can educate their members.”
If you’re looking for advice from an association excelling in providing ROI for its members, even through difficult times, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
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Communicating with Purpose: Expert Advice from a National Spokesperson
On the latest episode of The A100, OnWrd & UpWrd co-hosts Colleen Gallagher and Christine Stay talk with Frank Caliva, national spokesperson for the Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA). Frank is also the president of P.R. Quinlan, a B2B consulting firm focused on retail energy policy.
“How can you communicate the most important messages and do it the most effective way possible,” Frank shares. “That’s what our job is and that’s what we’re trying to do is make people care about something in the right way, for the right moment, to do the thing we need them to do while also recognizing they have competing interests and obligations and things they care about.”
Delving into his role as a national spokesperson, Frank provides valuable insights on engaging with state-focused journalists, delivering testimony to state legislatures, and crafting messaging for consumers and mass market audiences via social media, blogs, and other channels.
The discussion takes an intriguing turn, exploring the challenges of balancing the interests of individual association members while representing the industry as a whole. Frank highlights the importance of building consensus within RESA to articulate a unified organizational stance, distinct from the opinions of individual members.
On the preparation, cool factor and nerves that come with the opportunity to testify before a state legislature, Frank shares, “I think you need to be a little bit scared before you speak in public on a serious topic.” Be confident in your position, while staying flexible and consistent in messaging. He emphasizes the significance of obtaining buy-in from internal stakeholders to ensure a cohesive voice for the organization.
Navigating state-specific issues in 14 markets, Frank reveals the necessity of being swiftly informed on regional nuances to represent RESA effectively.
He also candidly shares an invaluable lesson—understanding that the audience may not be as invested in communications as the communicator themselves, stressing the importance of crafting messages that resonate and inspire action.
So what does success look like for a national spokesperson? While setting reasonable expectations, Frank believes success lies in delivering key messages to the right people at the right time ensuring RESA is the go-to-source for industry news.
Be sure to catch this episode for an illuminating conversation on association communications, industry representation and the strategic challenges faced by a national spokesperson.
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From Member Stories to AI Integration: Association Video Tips and Success Stories
On the latest episode of The A100, OnWrd & UpWrd co-hosts Colleen Gallagher and Christine Stay talk all things video with Jim Wacksman of Association Studios.
“Video truly is king. It’s multi-sensory, it’s very cost effective. It’s just important for any organization,” Jim shares.
The conversation centers on how much change has taken place in this space over the last decade as well as how associations can use video to communicate with their members, to market their events, to advocate for their key issues, to onboard their staff and so much more. Jim says he’s seeing an increase in the use of short-form video outside of the typical use cases for member stories or onboarding and other internal staff uses.
We talk about the typical mistakes associations make with video like trying to cram too much into one video or not understanding why you want a video to be a certain length.
Jim shares video success stories from associations highlighting one large expo that leveraged industry podcasters with strong followings. They produced videos with the various podcasters to help promote the show and in turn gave them their own podcast pavilions to record live from the show. Voices and messages were amplified all around, creating a win-win for everyone.
When it comes to videos for driving member engagement, Jim hits the nail on the head saying, “Nothing speaks to a member like a member.”
The conversation wraps with a focus on integrating AI into your video process. The advice: remember to have fun with it and embrace change to stay on top of emerging trends.
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Building a High-Performing Team: Strategies for Recruiting, Developing and Fostering a Culture of Dedication in Your Association
On the latest episode of The A100 podcast, OnWrd & UpWrd’s Colleen Gallagher, Meghan Henning and Christine Stay talk about the key strategies for building high-performing teams and cultivating dedicated employees.
Many associations have job roles in place because that’s the way they’ve always done it. It’s important, however, to regularly reassess what roles your team needs to succeed.
The three discuss four touch points to ensure you are building high-performing teams: redefining the hiring process, onboarding and professional development, creating a culture of dedication and overcoming challenges to sustain dedication.
The importance of trust and transparency come up time and again in this week’s conversation and the key to success here is understanding that cultivating a dedicated team is always a work in progress.
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Economy, Recessions and Associations: What You Need to Know
On the latest episode of The A100 podcast, OnWrd & UpWrd’s Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning welcomed Bill Conerly, an economist specializing in economic trends and writer for Forbes Magazine. They discuss how trade associations can survive tough times and how seriously they should take the threat of a looming recession.
A pressing question on every association executive’s mind should be: “can my association survive a recession?” The answer is yes, but it will take some planning. Bill recommends that associations should look back to 2008 and see how they weathered that recession or look at how they performed during the pandemic. What did they do to keep themselves going?
The discussion turned to whether resiliency gained during COVID will serve associations well when faced with future recessions and what steps associations can take to best handle a recession. Bill advised association executives to adopt proactive risk management strategies. Start with assessing your risk and then make sure you start contingency planning for various scenarios before they actually play out. It’s a lot like crisis communications strategy – it’s always better to plan in advance than in the middle of a crisis. Bill’s main takeaway here is that the companies who fared best during past recessions are the ones who act quickly.
Communicating your value proposition always matters for associations, but reminding your members that during a recession is when they need you most and telling them why will be key to your survival during a recession.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about how you can make sure your association is prepared should a recession hit later this year or next and be sure to check out Bill’s recent Forbes article about the impact of an impending recession on trade associations.
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Lights, Camera, Action: The Power of Video for Leveraging Your Association’s Greatest Asset
The latest episode of the A100 podcast features Rusty Willams, Co-Founder of AnswerStage alongside podcast co-hosts, OnWrd & UpWrd’s Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning. He shares valuable insights around the role of video in association marketing from member recruitment and retention to event marketing.
Rusty’s philosophy around video when it comes to associations starts with the thought that your most valuable marketing asset as an association is your members – you need to leverage the people who attend your events and really participate in your community.
The conversation turns to the importance of storytelling, especially when thinking about the role of video in driving member engagement. Get your members to tell the stories of why they joined, how your resources have helped them, how volunteering has been fulfilling – and more. The more you can leverage the voices, people and personalities of your association, the better.
It’s no surprise that video can play a huge role in event marketing as well. He encourages associations to showcase speakers providing a sneak preview, exhibitors sharing the products and services they are most excited about and attendees talking about what they’ll get out of the event. Not only can this drive registration, but it can get people geared up and ready to be active from the moment they walk in the doors to your event.
Rusty shares some great case studies and success stories, but perhaps most importantly encourages associations to have a plan, and make sure that plan fits into your overall content marketing and membership strategy. You also need someone to own that plan and finally, don’t forget to have a clear path for how a video gets shared and gets visibility.
Like most communications and marketing discussions these days, the conversation ultimately shifts to AI. There is no doubt AI will shift the landscape when it comes to video, but Rusty focuses on thinking of it as AI-assisted, rather than AI-created content for now. It can help you eliminate that blank paper syndrome, but work still needs to be done to get it to the finish line and maintain authenticity.
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Is there a right way to resign?
A Gallup poll said the number of people quiet quitting is higher than 50%.
91% of employees are willing to quit their job if it’s not what they thought it would be or if they don’t like it within the first month.
These are some powerful stats. The O&U team delve into the repercussions of resigning on this episode, chatting through concerns such as toxic work environments, the impact of a job on mental health and having tough conversations at work.
We also explore the key aspects of resigning gracefully and responsibly, considering the long-lasting effects on personal reputation and professional relationships. There is indeed a right way to resign. By navigating the process with tact and thoughtfulness, you can maintain your professional standing, minimize potential conflicts, and ensure a smooth transition for all parties involved.
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How an Association Can Bring an Industry Together
The latest episode of the A100 podcast features Steve Mister, Esq., CAE, President & CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition. Having been with CRN for almost 20 years and in the association space for over 30, you won’t want to miss his insights on leading an association and how associations can bring value to their members.
He talks about CRN’s mantra, “Responsible is our middle name,” and says that is something the association and its members truly try to live out. He highlights how they work with their members to create voluntary guidelines to ensure science-backed consumer safety. As an association you can bring all of your industry leaders together and they can develop a best practice and then everybody agrees to implement it. This isn’t something individual companies can just do on their own and it allows industry to lead the way rather than government regulations.
CRN is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Steve shares their plans to celebrate this huge milestone and reflects on how the industry and the association has evolved. He also shares best practices for both leading and working in the association world.
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Diversity and Support: A Conversation with NACAS CEO Matt Marcial
Join co-hosts Colleen Gallagher and Christine Stay on the A100 podcast this week as they speak with Matt Marcial, CEO of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS). Together, they delve into two of their recently launched initiatives: Diversity in Auxiliary Leadership Program and the Women in Higher-Ed Leadership Summit.
Having been at NACAS for just more than a year, Matt discusses the inspiration for launching the Diversity in Auxiliary Leadership Program, as well as NACAS' efforts to include DEI in everything that they do. He stresses that the program's key objective is to create a community of diverse leaders who can advance the mission of NACAS as well as advance their own careers as well.
They also discuss the upcoming Women in Higher-Ed Leadership Summit scheduled for September. Matt explains that the summit was created out of a senior executive event to address the industry challenges through the lens of issues women face in the higher education workforce including the pay gap, having a seat at the table and more.
The episode wraps up with Matt discussing the ways NACAS has supported its members throughout the pandemic, talking about the hybrid workforce and sharing his vision for the future.
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Connecting Passions: ASCA's Approach to Member Engagement and Professional Development
On the latest episode of the A100, co-hosts Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning are joined by Jill Cook, CAE, Executive Director and Eric Sparks, Ed.D., CAE, Deputy Executive Director, from the American School Counselor Association to discuss all things member engagement and what they are doing to meet the evolving needs of their members.
Jill and Eric discuss their use of traditional member engagement methods, such as committees, focus groups, and an annual event–but like all associations–they knew they had to find new ways to keep their members engaged on an ongoing basis. To do this they began providing more resources online and repurposing content from their annual conferences for webinars and other resource materials. And they hold two large virtual events in addition to the annual conference, which increases accessibility, bringing more information to even more members. They talk about how providing these resources in so many ways has really made a difference in terms of member engagement.
They discuss how their newish affinity groups continue to grow by participation and by topic as the issues confronting school counselors grows. The affinity groups allow members to come together on a particular topic they are passionate about and provide professional resources, networking, and best practices.
Jill and Eric also discuss ASCA’s national model and its contributions to professional advancement, and they share their expectations for what they can offer their membership this year, as well as their goals for the future.
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A Spark for Conversation: Insights from CoSN’s 2023 global Driving K-12 Innovation reports
Keith Krueger, MPA, CAE, CEO of The Consortium for School Networking, returns to the A100 - this time as a guest on podcast, hosted by Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning. The three of them explore the findings and highlights of CoSN’s 2023 global Driving K-12 Innovation reports.
They talk through the hurdles in the way of innovation in today’s school, the accelerators paving the way for teaching and innovation, and what the most important technology enablers are for schools to leverage this year. Keith shares insights around the problems technology can help solve, as well as the changing expectations in today’s world. He emphasizes that the report is “not intended to be tablets from heaven to tell you the answer, rather it’s a spark for conversation.”
The three delve into important resources that can assist districts in overcoming challenges and adopting new technologies, and of course the conversation turns to the integration of AI and ChatGPT technology.
The conversation wraps with Keith's vision for the future looking at what progress and changes he is most hopeful to witness by the time this report is released again next year.
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Engaging Volunteers and Cultivating a Culture of Caring
On the latest episode of the A100, co-hosts Colleen Gallagher and Chrstine Stay are joined by Phil Russo, CAE, Executive Director for Professional Management Associates, to discuss all things association and workforce. They dive into both driving the engagement you need from your volunteers and also building and cultivating a high achieving staff.
Drawing on his extensive experience in the association industry since his senior year in college, Phil highlighted the recruitment and engagement of volunteers as one of the most significant challenges facing associations today. He attributed this to both a lack of time and less desire to be as involved as they were before the pandemic. He talks about how to develop systems and processes that almost spoon-feed our volunteers to make things as simple and clear as possible for them with clear expectations around the amount of time involved.
Phils also provides valuable insights on using contractors to complement your staff's expertise and developing strategies for building a high-achieving team within your association.
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The Hybrid Workforce Dilemma: How to Keep Your Company Culture Alive
Christine Stay, Meghan Henning, and Colleen Gallagher of the OnWrd & UpWrd team take over the A100 podcast to talk about how to manage a hybrid workforce and how to keep your company culture alive. Their valuable insights cover a range of topics, including effective ways to keep your team connected, staying organized with project management tools, and ensuring that all team members understand their roles and responsibilities.
From there, the discussion moves on to ways of creating a comfortable working environment for employees. The conversation covers the significance of conducting regular check-ins with staff, organizing in person meetings or staff retreats at least once a quarter or year to bring everyone together, and the value of providing opportunities for professional development.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas, and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations.
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
The Power of Awards: Boosting Your Association’s Visibility and Credibility
It’s awards season, and hosts Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning take over the podcast this week to discuss how associations can leverage awards to boost visibility and credibility, plus show member ROI as well! The two bring a well rounded perspective to the awards conversation, with Colleen having judged and created many awards programs and Meghan having written awards applications for a variety of associations.
Colleen and Meghan answer all of your burning questions about awards from what’s out there to apply for to how associations can leverage an award win from a communications perspective.
When it comes to applications: both hosts highlight the importance of being concise, following directions closely and always coming back to your goals. Listeners will finish this episode with all of the knowledge needed to strategically take the awards application process in their own hands.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
How Associations Can Embrace Sustainability
The American Forest & Paper Association’s Jamie Tiralla, Director, Strategic Communications, and Jesse Levine, Senior Director, Energy and Environmental Policy, joined The A100 podcast to talk about the critical importance of sustainability. The two shared insights on creating sustainability goals and how other associations can begin to think about setting goals of their own.
Their recommendations: you must begin to think about sustainability goals and initiatives by assessing your operations and programs, identifying areas for improvement, and setting realistic and measurable goals. Doing this sends a message to the industry that associations are committed to a more sustainable future.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
Reflections and trends: what’s to come in 2023
On the latest episode of The A100, OnWrd & UpWrd co-founders Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning look back on 2022, discussing some of the most exciting and innovative association client projects over this past year. Highlights included a workforce campaign addressing a major membership challenge, a full rebrand, a multi-faceted year-long PR and digital campaign to promote a special journal issue and a recognition program focused on everyday people doing good things.
From there they shift gears to communications and marketing trends association professionals need to be thinking about in 2023. We hit on messaging, AI, pitching and the return of in-person events.
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Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
Event Planning: Exposure, Recruitment and Retention
Chrisitine Stay, Marketing Project Manager for OnWrd & UpWrd, joined the A100 podcast to share her insights on what association professionals need to know to improve their event planning. She brings a different perspective than anything we’ve previously discussed around events by highlighting why associations should exhibit at a conference that isn’t their own – and also talks through the planning process.
She shares the three reasons why associations should participate in an expo at a conference: exposure, recruitment and retention. She also provides advice she has for associations when it comes to booth design, leave behinds and deadlines.
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Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
All Things Education: Strategizing, Developing and Maximizing Association Education Programs
Amanda Cecil, full-time professor and expert on association education programming, joins the A100 podcast to discuss how associations can create powerful programming. With over 20 years of experience as a professor in tourism and events management, and a decade of experience with associations, Amanda shares her insights on how associations can truly optimize their educational resources, content and curriculum design.
Amanda brings in her own lens as a parent of a college student to discuss how the narrative around four year degrees and education in associations is evolving. She walks through what challenges association leaders need to overcome, the importance of experiential learning and how membership plays a role in every step of the way.
Together, Amanda and the hosts stress how important collaboration, creativity and communication are when it comes to developing educational programming at any level.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
Earned Media: How You Can Be Better at Press Outreach
Suzanne Struglinski, PR Manager for Industry Dive, joined the A100 podcast to share her insights on earned media and what association comms professionals need to know to improve their media relations efforts.
She discusses the disconnect between what association leaders see as news and what reporters see as news, while emphasizing the importance of being a resource for reporters. She also shares thoughts on the unique relationship between PR professionals and journalists.
“Reporters want news,” she says. “You need to build those relationships, making sure you understand who you're pitching, why you’re pitching and keeping in mind that you want to be a resource to these journalists.”
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along on social media for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
Follow Suzanne or reach out via email:
Twitter: @SuzanneStrug
LinkedIn: /in/suzannestruglinski/
Email: sstruglinski@industrydive.com
Intern Takeover Episode!
In this episode, OnWrd & UpWrd’s summer interns, Keaveny Hewitt and Grant Cragg, take over the A100 podcast to discuss all things internships– what makes good ones, what employers need to know about young professionals and what associations should keep in mind when developing their own internship programs.
Together, they discuss their experience as summer interns, sharing key takeaways, insights and reflections on the internship thus far. They provide perspective on how associations can maximize the potential of their own internship programs by focusing on networking, professional development and variety. Keaveny and Grant take their own experiences into a wider conversation about internships and the next generation of employees so association leaders from all industries can leave with insightful takeaways.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
How will abortion laws impact event planning and decision making for associations?
In this episode, Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning of OnWrd & UpWrd Marketing & Communications discuss how the overturning of Roe v. Wade will impact event planning and decision making for associations.
Together, they discuss the role of politics within the association world, and how canceling/keeping events for political reasons brings up membership, legal and financial concerns. Gallagher and Henning share how associations can navigate these issues and they reflect on how social and political events have impacted their own work in the past by looking at data, articles and expert opinions. They pose some questions for associations to consider so they can work together with their members to make these key decisions.
If you want to read more about the Northstar Meetings Group article discussed on the podcast, you can view the full article here.
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Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
The Future of Events
Liz Huh, leading events consultant, shares her insights on how associations can create events that focus on members’ voices and interests.
She discusses how COVID has impacted event planning, and the importance of adjusting timelines and forming strong partnerships with vendors and venues. Liz takes a look at supply chain and food expenses and how these issues impact event coordinators and their budgets. She shares the overall value of events, both virtual and in-person, and how integral they are for bringing organizations together to elevate branding, increase revenue and empower members.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
Building Meaningful Connections with Members
Shantel Goodman-Luckett, Chief Experience Officer for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, shares her insights on how associations can empower their members and enhance the overall membership experience.
She discusses how NACAC implemented programs and resources to cater to all types of members, from the next generation of college admissions counselors to counselors that are retiring soon. Shantel shares what it was like to make the transition into this new role, and how she gained perspective after watching her daughter go through the college admission process. She highlighted how important it is for association professionals to speak directly with the membership to truly be able to serve them and understand their needs.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
A Thoughtful Approach to DEI
Jeff Joseph, president of SIIA, the Software and Information Industry Association, joins the A100 podcast this week. He shares insights about how associations can take a thoughtful approach to DEI and promote better outcomes by looking at how you can differentiate yourself and provide truly helpful resources for your members rather than something duplicative of what they could already do on their own.
Associations need to ask themselves these questions: How can we make an impact? What’s going to be most valuable to our members? How do you make a business rationale out of this as well?
He also talks about looking inward first and walking the walk as an association as well as welcoming a diversity of viewpoints in the workforce as well so everyone feels comfortable bringing their full self to work.
Check out SIIA's newest member benefit: a brand new microsite dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): siia.net/dei
Finally, we chat about some policy issues and get to know Jeff better including hearing about his famous (or infamous) Dad band. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!
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Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
When Knowledge Walks Out the Door
Matt Cipriani, Associate Director of Knowledge Management & Member Engagement, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, shares his insights on how The Great Resignation is impacting associations and how associations can react to it.
He talks about how his background as a research librarian has served him well in the world of associations, how member engagement changed during COVID and what the return to in-person work and events means.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
Podcast on Podcasting (at Associations!)
Evan Sparks, SVP, Member Communications and Podcast Host at the American Bankers Association as well as Editor in Chief of the ABA Banking Journal shares his secrets with the A100 for producing a successful association podcast.
Having launched five years ago with a goal of 500 downloads to keep it going, he now expects to hit over 100,000 downloads in a year. Evan talks about why he prefers the audio-only format, how he plans out his editorial calendar, tackling tough subjects and how the podcast fits into the overall communications strategy.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
Intro/Outro Audio Credit:
Ketsa
Track: Poppin-Off
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ascendance/poppin-off
Introducing the A100 Podcast
Get to know the publishers of The Association 100 in our inaugural podcast. Colleen Gallagher and Meghan Henning take you behind the scenes to learn about their backgrounds, what brought them to DC, and what to expect from the future of The A100.
They share their favorite memories, most interesting projects and toughest challenges from their association days while also discussing the changing nature of PR in today’s world.
Subscribe today so you never miss out on future episodes. Follow along with The Association 100 for best practices, top trends, helpful ideas and smart strategies and tactics that work in the world of associations:
Twitter: @association100
LinkedIn: /company/the-association-100
You can subscribe to The Association 100 newsletter here.
Intro/Outro Audio Credit:
Ketsa
Track: Poppin-Off
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ascendance/poppin-off