Early bird registration discriminates against those who don't register on a certain date, a date which is randomly picked by the organization to drive up registration numbers (yes, you can make the argument it's not random that you are trying to get a headcount or make your contract requirements but it is still artificially set by the association). This serves a variety of purposes and causes repercussions for registrants and potential registrants:

My husband and I recently watched a Netflix docuseries on professional wrestling. We were HUGE wrestling fans when we were young but lost interest somewhere along the way. It’s why we enjoyed the docuseries so much – it reminded us of how fun it was to follow wrestlers and their story arcs!

It’s ethics month! It’s an exciting time for all of us here in the nonprofit management profession because the practice of ethics is core to our work – and we get an entire month to talk about. As a member of the ASAE Ethics Committee, I’m pleased to be working with so many dedicated colleagues promoting ethics and their application.

​“I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions.” ― Lillian Hellman

Lillian Hellman, American playwright and known Communist, said this at the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings in the 1950s. Having been blacklisted for not signing the loyalty oath, she stayed steadfast in her belief system. She supported communism, Stalin, the Soviet Union, and was a member of the Communist Party for a few years.

From the Editor: Since I’ve been down with a nasty virus all week, and the future of nonprofits is heavy on my mind, this short article I wrote in 2021 keeps coming to my mind. There is a lot of fear in the nonprofit community, especially among our 501c6 segment because of the rapid pace of change brought on by the new Administration. But what makes us special is the place where we came from – the individual’s right to freely associate. That is what sets us apart and that is why we are important to the fabric of society. Our contributions are valuable and unique; that is why we are needed.

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.