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We're taking a break for the summer, but we don't want you to go without your regular AT fix, so we're re-releasing some of our favourites until we return in September. Next up, we're going back to Season 5, Episode 111 from this time last year.

Join Elisa and Andrew as they welcome podcasting guru Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Discover how podcasts can revolutionize member engagement, provide value, and become a powerful tool for your association. From content strategies to production tips, Mike shares invaluable insights gained from years of experience in the industry. Whether you're considering starting a podcast or looking to improve your existing one, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration for associations of all sizes. Tune in to learn how you can harness the intimate medium of podcasting to connect with your members and become the voice of your industry.

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We're taking a break for the summer but we don't want you to go without your regular AT fix, so we're re-releasing some of our favourites until we return in September. Next up, we're going back to Season 4, Episode 73 from April 2023.

 Maddie Grant, Culture Designer with Propel, joins the Association Transformation family for a deep dive into culture with Elisa and Andrew. A commitment to maintaining a strong, positive organizational culture is no longer an optional soft skill. From internal staff culture to member and volunteer culture, it doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. Maddie walks us through measures of cultural disfunction and success, defines important cultural markers, explains employee net promoter scores and the difference between a cultural assessment and engagement analysis. We hope episode 73 is the first of many conversations that pull back the curtain on the spectrum of organizational culture within the nonprofit sector.

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We're taking a break for the summer, but we don't want you to go without your regular AT fix, so we're re-releasing some of our favourites until we return in September. Next up, we're going back to Season 5, Episode 118 from October 2024.

Elisa and Andrew sit down with renowned reputation management expert Anthony Huey, CEO and Founder of Reputation Management and Communicate Clearly. Learn about the critical importance of verbal communication in the age of AI, the art of building trust, and why being intentional in every interaction - whether face-to-face or virtual - can set you apart in today's fast-paced world. They explore the changing landscape of effective communication, managing crises, and enhancing everyday conversations. Anthony shares insights on how organizations can navigate the evolving digital environment while maintaining authentic connections with members, clients, and colleagues. Tune in now and discover how to strengthen your communication strategy!

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We're taking a break for the summer, but we don't want you to go without your regular AT fix, so we're re-releasing some of our favourites until we return in September. Next up, we're going back to Season 3, Episode 63 from September 2022.

Constructive relationships amongst association leadership are fundamental to an organisation's success but too often we've seen tensions emerge between volunteer leaders and association professionals. Unless we invest in our relationships, it can be far too easy for an association's leadership team to descend into an emotional quagmire. Elisa and Andrew explore the reasons why these tensions can exist and examine what can be done to ensure relationship success.

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We're taking a break for the summer, but we don't want you to go without your regular AT fix, so we're re-releasing some of our favourites until we return in September. Next up, we're going back to Season 4, Episode 70 from February 2023.

You’ve heard the debate: Association CEOs should come from industry. Others insist the chief staff executive should be a tested nonprofit leader. Well, we found a unicorn who breaks all the stereotypes. Elisa and Andrew are joined by Terry Baker, CEO of the Society of American Foresters, who reminds us that leadership success isn't based on industry versus association but rather the intentional combination of both. Oh, and he shares his leadership secret of “puppy proposals"...

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🎉 150 episodes and still surviving!

In our milestone episode, Surviving Nonprofits, we’re joined by Survivor winner and nonprofit leader Ethan Zohn to talk scaling global impact, building better boards, and leading through challenge and change.

From grassroots to governance, this episode brings the best of what Association Transformation has delivered for 150 episodes: real talk, tough questions, and transformational ideas for association and nonprofit leaders.

🎙️ Tune in, celebrate with us, and get ready to rethink what it takes to thrive in the mission-driven world.

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🎧 The Credibility Crisis: Can Associations Rebuild Trust in a Post-Truth World?
📄 New White Paper Alert: Restoring Trust in Expertise

In a world drowning in misinformation, eroding trust, and self-declared "experts," can membership organizations reclaim their role as guardians of truth and professional integrity? In our latest episode of Association Transformation, we unveil our new white paper and explore the historical, societal, and strategic role associations must play to rebuild credibility in a post-truth era. We dive deep into the threats of epistemic pollution, the pitfalls of certification as a business model, and the leadership required to restore trust — from boardrooms to community listservs.

🧭 This isn’t just commentary. It’s a call to action.

🎙️ Listen now, read the paper, and join the conversation on how associations can lead with integrity in uncertain times.

Download our white paper at https://associationtransformation.org/restoring-trust. 

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Join us for a hot mid-year conversation as we take the temperature on where associations really stand in 2025. We dive into the reality of AI adoption—why the gap is widening between early adopters and everyone else, and how technical discussions are keeping members from getting started with AI basics. We also tackle the mounting pressure on associations to constantly innovate and the artificial narrative that "everyone else is doing amazing things." Plus, we discuss the ongoing challenges with board-staff relationships, the importance of managing expectations, and why taking time to gain perspective might be the most important thing you do in the second half of this year. It's a honest look at the state of our sector, complete with practical advice for navigating the rest of 2025 without burning out.

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Elisa and Andrew are on the road this week but we don't want you to go without your weekly dose of AT!! So here's a Season 4 episode we released back in November 2023. We'll be back soon but until then, put your members and your mission first!!

We’re thankful for our #boardofdirectors . . . aren’t we?? Let’s talk about the challenges and complexities of board culture in #associations. Join Andrew and Elisa for this real and necessary Association Transformation episode where they share their hopes and concerns about professionalism on #nonprofit boards and historical approaches to leadership. Maybe you can put board education, training, qualification criteria, and a focus on organizational interests (rather than individual roles) on your Christmas list 😊

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Why do associations struggle with something as fundamental as branding? In this eye-opening episode of Association Transformation, hosts Andrew Chamberlain and Elisa Pratt welcome Tom Silva, Principal of Silver Brand and author of "The Challenge of Association Branding," to unpack the unique obstacles facing membership organizations. From volunteer governance structures that create decision-making bottlenecks to the multi-dimensional member experience that goes far beyond functional benefits, Tom reveals why traditional branding approaches fall short in the modern and future-focused association space. Discover how to move beyond logos and taglines, improve generic messaging that speaks to no one, learn the difference between marketing (the story you tell) and brand (the story your customers tell about you), and explore practical frameworks like the "minimum viable brand" approach that can help your organization create authentic, experience-driven connections with members. Whether you're facing industry disruption. Can’t define your value proposition or simply haven't held up the mirror in a while, this conversation provides actionable insights for associations ready to transform their brand strategy from the inside out.

Download Tom's new e-book entitled "The Challenge for Association Branding" for free at https://www.silvabrand.com/. 

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