Social media gets most of the attention these days, and AI tools are quietly changing how marketers work behind the scenes. But there's one channel many associations still underuse: email. It's not glamorous, and nobody's writing thought-leadership panels about it. Yet it remains one of the most direct, cost-effective [...]
Volunteer leaders in Canadian associations are currently navigating a crossroads. The expectations around Board service are changing, creating an opportunity for associations to adapt. It is common to hear that the next generation is "disengaged," but the reality is that their professional landscape has fundamentally shifted. They aren't looking [...]
One of the greatest strengths of any Board is the collective knowledge, experience, and perspective of its members. Yet that strength is only realized when every director has access to the same information at the same time. Effective governance is not simply about making decisions; it is about making [...]
Internal audit is an independent and objective assurance and consulting function designed to add value and improve an association's operations. As a Board member or volunteer leader, you are entrusted with the fiduciary stewardship of your association's resources, reputation, and mission. Internal audit helps associations achieve their objectives by [...]
Serving on an association's Board is a rewarding way to give back to your profession or community. Whether you're helping shape strategy, overseeing events, or supporting members, one of your most important responsibilities is ensuring the organization's financial health. For many volunteer members, however, budgeting can feel intimidating. Most [...]
There’s no shortage of opinions when it comes to how Board meetings should be held. Some board members swear by the energy and connection of meeting in person, while others appreciate the efficiency and convenience of virtual meetings. With competing priorities, busy calendars, and Board Members scattered across the [...]
In associations, virtual education doesn't happen; it is intentional. While strong content, reliable technology, and great audience engagement are important, the most successful webinars, panel discussions, and online learning sessions are often the result of collaboration between volunteer moderators and speakers. In this blog, we'll analyze the role of [...]
Sustainability and social impact are no longer topics reserved for large corporations or government agencies. Increasingly, association members are looking to their professional and industry organizations for leadership, guidance, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference. For association volunteer leaders, this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Today's [...]
Association volunteer leaders often focus on the event itself, those intense days of registration desks, session monitoring, and wayfinding. But the real magic of member engagement happens across a much longer timeline. After managing multiple association events, I've learned that volunteers who understand the full engagement cycle can transform [...]
Let's be honest. If your association isn't showing up online in 2026, you might as well be handing out flyers in an empty parking lot. That's not an exaggeration; that's just where things are right now. The way people find associations and make the decision to join has completely [...]
