As the current Administration continues channeling Silicon Valley – “Go fast and break things” – there is a great deal of upset in certain segments of our country. However, the segment that is always utmost on my mind is the nonprofit community and the nonprofit management profession.

Did that headline get your attention? Good. Why do I say that is good? Because everyone doesn’t share the same viewpoints, dogmas, or policy positions. Assuming that everyone agrees with you is a mistake, and within our nonprofit management profession, assuming everyone agrees that the sky is falling because there is a new administration in Washington, DC, is short-sighted and divisive.

President Trump has declared his interest in acquiring the country of Greenland for strategic defense purposes. Not a bad idea when it comes to defense but Denmark has expressed its commitment to keep Greenland as part of their territory. The Danish government believes they know what is best for Greenland, and President Trump believes they want to be part of the United States.

We have not met (although I was at a few of the White House Christmas parties during your first term). Fun fact: we both have the same birthday – June 14, which is also Flag Day. 

The problem with civil discourse in the United States . . . wait, ONE problem? There are a lot of problems with civil discourse, like closed minds, assuming people are stupid (especially if they don’t agree with you), a lack of objective assessment of any situation or issue, and dueling fact sources. “My news feed is better than yours.” Oh please. It seems we forgot what we learned during the Enlightenment.

This year I celebrate my 10^th anniversary as a Certified Association Executive (CAE). t’s hard to believe an entire decade has passed but as they say, time flies – especially when you are enjoying yourself! If you are a current CAE Candidate, you might be saying “What do you mean ENJOYING YOURSELF?? Getting ready for the exam is really stressful!”.

Ever since I can remember, I have been a writer. It is how I think of myself even though I never made my living doing it. Once a colleague said, “Well you are a writer. That’s how I think of you.” That made my day!

I'll admit it. I was nervous when I heard that AWTC was adding a keynote speaker to the 2024 Advance conference. They also added an afternoon workshop that also made me a little uncomfortable.

In the nonprofit area, there is always talk about recognition of what members and supporters contribute through their efforts. There are many levels of recognition from certificates and thank you notes to individual awards at annual meetings.

I’m excited to share this excerpt from my first book Association Chapter Systems: From Frustrating to Fruitful, available on November 22, 2024. After years of working in chapter systems of all kinds, I see the need for change in how we network with and support members at the local level.

Associations like to say if you join you will be part of a larger community. You will have options for participation and connection. It's a great way to get involved and contribute to your profession.

As a consultant, I have seen a lot of Requests for Proposal (RFPs). Generally, they are okay. Note I say “okay” -- not great, well done, or even really good. The really good ones are few and far between.

Humans have rules for a lot of reasons: to keep public order, to show people how to play a game, to install a governance system, and to keep a family living in something similar to harmony. These are a few of the reasons that come to my mind when considering rules and why we have them.

I'm in a lot of professional networking groups. We talk about different programs that organizations can offer their members, how new offerings could work, and we try to figure out why some organizations don't give the members what they want even after repeated requests.

Recently in ASAE Collaborate, I’ve seen the conversation again about “The Bus Book” scenario. I say again because this is an evergreen topic and we should all be thinking about it on a regular basis. The Bus Book, if you are not familiar with this term, is the book that SHOULD exist that contains all the information others will need if something happens to you like you get hit by a bus. Or you win the lottery. Or you take a new job. Or you retire.

My name is Cecilia and I have a short-term disability. My disability is the result of an injury sustained in my daily life. The injury was painful and the impact on my activities of daily living (ADL) was immediate and far reaching. I spent 10 weeks on bedrest/no weight bearing on the left leg due to a tibial plateau fracture. My leg completely atrophied during this time and despite the fracture completely healing, I could not walk. I still have difficulty walking and need to use a mobility device to get around despite my improvement (I use a walker or a cane). 

In a previous post titled “Making Peace,” (September 23, 2023), I noted the following:
"After a time, the stubbornness becomes the goal, and we often forget WHY we are being so stubborn. Both parties will not give way in any shape or form. Old grievances are listed again and again as we are determined to prove that we are right and they are so very wrong."

If you subscribe to USAE News, you may have seen my September 3, 2024, guest column “The Unexpected and Accessibility: A Trip to a Cleveland Conference.” This article outlines my experience attending a conference in a wheelchair and using a walker as I recover from a broken leg. Anytime anyone loses mobility or needs accommodations for participation, it is a disability whether short-term or long-term.

Listen to the audio version of the article.

...GIRL. That’s right. Think like a leader, not a girl. Did she just type that? Oh yes, she did. And this time I encourage angry postcards because I want to hear what you are thinking.