Can bubbles and Clark Kent glasses help you reimagine your annual conference? How does future planning help you get you where you want your organization to be in 2030?

In this episode of Associations Thrive host Joanna Pineda interviews Glynis Harvey, CEO at American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). Glynis introduces AIUM, shares her journey through nearly every department at AIUM, and then talks about how AIUM is reimagining itself and its future through:

• A planning conference attended by 80 members who broke with tradition to create a new annual conference, now called UltraCon. Participants blew bubbles when they felt the conversation was veering into traditional realms and wore Clark Kent glasses when they wanted to be “incognito” with their ideas.
• A new annual conference that has mostly done away with traditional lectures, and even features a Shark Tank-style panel to educate members about how to shepherd new products into the field and file their patents.
• A new strategic planning process where AIUM is envisioning what ultrasound will look like in 2030. Once this new vision is in place, the organization will work backwards to outline what they will need to do to achieve this mission.

References:

• AIUM website
• Ultracon website
• The Great Game of Business book

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews John Segota, Executive Director of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). John introduces NAGC, talks about his journey to becoming Executive Director of NAGC, and how NAGC membership is increasing after a steady decline in the past few years. John discusses:

• How he became interested in the nonprofit sector.
• How he nailed the interview and became Executive Director of NAGC.
• How NAGC had to provide support to their members really fast during the pandemic.
• NAGC’s virtual and hybrid conference strategy, including a new virtual event in the Spring.
• NAGC’s commitment to DEI in the membership and among students in gifted programs.
• A new virtual National Symposium on Equity for Black and Brown Gifted Students.
• NAGC’s new LEAP program, a professional development framework for members.
• The association’s State of the States in Gifted Education report.
• Ongoing changes to NAGC’s governance.
• How John is a self-described governance geek.

References:

• NAGC Website
• The Will to Govern Well by Glenn H. Tecker, Paul D. Meyer, Bud Crouch, Leigh Wintz
• The State of the States in Gifted Education

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Dave Jackson, Executive Officer of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). Dave introduces ASPET, talks about his journey to becoming Executive Officer at ASPET, and how ASPET is seeing an increase in membership after five years of membership decline. Dave discusses:

• How he became interested in the work of associations when he was an accountant, then moved into associations operations; and finally became a first time chief exec last year.
• What it was like to step into the role as the new Executive Officer at a time when ASPET staff were fully remote, and how ASPET has successfully transitioned to a hybrid work schedule.
• How ASPET is holding its first standalone annual conference this May, after co-hosting a conference with other scientific organizations for many years.
• ASPET’s new advocacy efforts and the intent to become the voice of the profession.
• How Dave is leading an effort to develop a new strategic plan for the organization.
• How the White House directive re: open access for government-funded research is causing ASPET to rethink and reformulate its journal strategy, especially since the organization relies so heavily on revenue from journal subscription sales and licensing.

References:

• ASPET Website
• ASPET Journals
• ASPET Annual Conference

How do you support your members when the world shuts down but your school foodservice members have to work doubly hard to take care of students? How do you diversify your leadership to reflect the diversity of your membership? How do you re-organize your association to meet the needs of your members post-pandemic?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Rhea Steele, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy & Governance at the School Nutrition Association (SNA). Rhea introduces SNA, shares her journey to becoming Chief of Staff at SNA, and talks about the governance initiatives she’s leading at SNA, specifically:

• Employee engagement and empowerment programs.
• Ongoing review of SNA processes to create a high-performing and efficient organization.
• The targeted recruiting SNA is doing to recruit men and non-white individuals into leadership positions.
• A reorganization of SNA to achieve their new strategic plan.

References:

• SNA Website
• SNA Annual Conference

What does the first 90 days of a CEO journey look like? How do organizations improve their performance by transforming the way they manage their information? Who should be in charge of data management at organizations? How do you reimagine an association in a dynamic industry characterized by a “rising tide of information chaos?”

In this episode of Associations Thrive, Matrix Group CEO Joanna Pineda interviews Tori Miller Liu, President and CEO of the Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM). Tori introduces AIIM, talks about her journey to becoming CEO of AIIM, and then talks about AIIM services. We discuss:

• How AIIM is Tori’s first position as a CEO.
• How Tori is doing a listening tour with members, non-members, unhappy members, and leadership to develop a deep understanding of the industry and the membership.
• The difference between data and content.
• How Tori’s first year will include a listening tour, annual conference and development of a new strategic plan.
• The AIIM community and why AIIM has two membership levels.
• AIIM’s certification - Certified Information Professional.
• How the AAIM strategic plan will have two lenses: foresight first and people first.

References:

• AIIM website
• AIIM Certified Information Professional certification 
• AIIM’s two member types

How do you step into the shoes of a longtime, much beloved CEO? How do you create value for longtime members and struggling members? How do you ensure that your organization’s governance is still the right fit for your organization?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, Matrix Group CEO Joanna Pineda interviews Shawn Boynes, CEO of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Shawn introduces ACA, talks about his journey to becoming CEO of a major mental health association, and then discusses key ACA initiatives, including:

• A free continuing education (CE) course every month for all members.
• The Interstate Counseling Compact, which will allow counselors licensed in one state to practice in other states.
• April is Counseling Awareness Month.
• A governance review.

References:

• ACA Website
• Counseling Awareness Month
• ACA Code of Ethics

How do you create community within a trade association when the members are often competitors to one another? How do you create value so that members see your association as one that helps them succeed, make money, and stay out of trouble?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, Matrix Group CEO Joanna Pineda interviews Tim Brink, CEO of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA). Tim explains what a mechanical contractor is; talks about his journey as a journeyman, contractor, then association executive; then discusses how MCAA is thriving through:

• A community of members who share best practices to make the industry stronger.
• 750 guides that help members run great mechanical contracting companies, findable through a great search on the website.
• A Technology Conference that is a joint event with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACA)
• Management Methods bulletins that are contributed by the industry’s most successful and largest contractors so that all MCAA members can benefit.

References:

• MCAA website
• MEP Innovation Conference
• MCAA Resource Center
• MCAA Management Methods Guides

How do you rejuvenate and reward your longtime donors? How do you attract celebrities and sponsors to your organization and events?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Rick DellaRatta, Founder, Jazz for Peace. Rick talks about the founding of Jazz for Peace, explains how he learned how to put on events by participating in gigs while studying at the New England Conservatory of Music, and then shares:

• How Jazz for Peace celebrates and empowers organizations and causes around the world
• The fundraising model that Jazz for Peace uses to raise funds and awareness
• How Jazz for Peace reinvigorates donors and supporters
• Rick’s memorable concert in Rwanda

References:

• Jazz for Peace website
• Chet Baker on Wikipedia
• Let’s Get Lost film
• Jazz for Peace “Know the Funder” guide

How do you create a volunteer structure that allows members to volunteer in the way that matches their time, expertise and interests? How  do you make sure that your boards and committees have the expertise they need to tackle their initiatives?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Rick Grimm, CEO of NIGP. Rick introduce NIGP, shares his journey to becoming CEO, and then shares how NIGP is thriving through:

• A rebrand that expanded the association’s reach and membership. 
• A Talent Council that recruits continuously. 
• Volunteer interviews that ask the member “How do you want to be involved in NIGP?”
• Thought leaders on the Board who do not come from the membership, who bring expertise in specific areas, and who have all the rights and voting power as members from the profession. 

References:

• NIGP website
• NIGP governance model 

What does it mean to have a contemporary culture? How do you avoid massive turnover and burnout in today’s challenging workplace environments? How does governance fuel an organization?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Christina Lewellen, Executive Director of The Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS). Christina introduce ATLIS, shares her journey to becoming ED, and then shares how ATLIS is thriving through:

• An equal and healthy relationship between the Board and the ATLIS Executive Director
• A Board that provides strategic guidance and isn’t afraid to question their policies and practices when appropriate
• A high performing staff that is loving ATLIS’ contemporary culture
• A four-day work week

References:

• ATLIS website
• ATLIS Strategic Plan