I joined the nonprofit management profession in 1988 with my first Washington, DC job at the US Chamber of Commerce. As my career evolved and my next job took me to a professional society for corporate attorneys, my eyes were opened to the fact that this is a defined and unique profession.

It's this week's Rogue Speak message in audio format! I share more thoughts on the new CAE Registered Provider program. What do you think?

In my message of July 27 (“The Ethics of Competition”) I shared my thoughts about my past participation as a CAE Approved Provider in the previous program and why I thought it was important to be part of it. At the time I joined the previous CAE Provider program, I was excited about the step towards requiring ethics education for CAEs. In that message, I also shared my concerns about the new program.

Radio Free 501c is the voice of Rogue Tulips Consulting. This episode: the author reads her weekly Rogue Speak message.

We are about three weeks away from the CAE Exam period for May 2023, and the excitement is building. While there is always some tension and sometimes stress in prepping for the CAE Exam, there is a lot of energy in the community as our nonprofit management colleagues demonstrate their commitment to their profession.

Radio Free 501c is the voice of Rogue Tulips Consulting. This episode: the author reads her weekly Rogue Speak message.

Last week, the CAE Exam results for December 2022 were released. There were many happy individuals who not only celebrated but breathed a sigh of relief! The waiting is over and all the hard work paid off.

Today we are about one month away from the start of the December 2022 CAE Exam period, which runs December 1 – 14. If you are taking the exam next month, you have already prepared by joining a study group, working with a study buddy, or taking a course. Heck, you may have done all these things!

Association management is a vocation; it is a profession; and for an increasing number of people, it is a career choice. It is a craft which requires a complex mix of skills, knowledge, and experience, dexterously combining knowledge of association culture, structure, and politics, with a whole spectrum of professional expertise, ranging from strategy and advocacy to marketing and event management, and everything in between.

Association Chat host and association thought leader, KiKi L’Italien, invited me on her podcast to discuss the CAE designation, my personal journey with the CAE, and what makes the League stand out.

As I write this, I’m heading back from ASAE22 in Nashville, TN. It’s a great town with friendly people. Some of them are a little too friendly (I’m talking about YOU girl twerking on the party bus). Things have changed in Nashville as it grows and continues to add interesting and fun things to do while serving conferences and conventions with increased services.

This year, there is a lot of disappointment (to say the least) for new CAEs because they do not get to walk the stage. I must say I am disappointed too because I know how hard it is to earn the CAE, and I see in our courses and study groups dedicated professionals learning the content and the importance of the CAE. It’s a very emotional time – you work hard for a long time to study and prepare to take the CAE Exam. One of the things that you daydream about is your time to walk across the stage.

Due to the pandemic lockdown and other restrictions/regulations related to managing a virus over the last two years, people reassessed their lives. They were working from home, or maybe not working at all, and were influenced to make changes in their job that might make their life better or more fulfilling.

The 501c League offers an insightful and thought-provoking ethics course that is designed for professionals in the nonprofit profession. It demonstrates our commitment to supporting ethical development within our profession, which protects the integrity of what we do.

Here at the League we often talk about the CAE journey; sometimes that journey is longer to earn the designation than for others, but it is in the process of preparation for the CAE exam that we develop our skills and hone our knowledge. We learn about ourselves and find our strengths. During this process, we meet new people and make new connections.