Associations Thrive

What superpower do association and nonprofit CEOs need? Sharon Kneebone, Interim Executive Director of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) says it’s GOVERNANCE.

In this episode of Associations Thrive, Sharon introduces AAPM, talks about her journey to becoming ED of the association, and discusses:

• The different types of pain, including acute pain, chronic pain, psychological pain.
• The different healthcare providers that help patients with their pain.
• What governance is and why it must be “people first.”
• AAPM’s transition away from an association management company to a standalone association.
• AAPM’s Innovation Challenge, in conjunction with MIT’s Hacking Medicine, which hopes to create an ecosystem that brings together industry, service providers and healthcare providers to accelerate innovation in pain medicine.
• AAPM’s governance change from 2019 that allows non-medical doctors to become members. 
• The AAPM Scholars Program that provides didactic training and hands-on training with a cadaver lab.

References:

• AAPM Website
• The AAPM Podcast - Pain Matters
• AAPM Innovation Ecosystem

How do you support your members when they’re busy serving students during a pandemic? How do you navigate the tightly regulated, political environment that your members operate in and advocate for more funds for school meals?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Patricia Montague, Chief Executive Officer, School Nutrition Association (SNA). Patti introduces the SNA, shares how she came to be CEO of the SNA, and then shares what SNA is doing to serve members, increase membership and advocate for nutritious meals for students.

Patricia discusses:

• The research that shows when students get nutritious breakfasts and lunches, their academic outcomes improve.
• Her journey at SNA, including all the positions she’s held, and the transition from COO to CEO.
• How SNA members navigated the pandemic by quickly doing whatever was needed to keep students fed.
• SNA’s advocacy efforts, including their position that every student deserves a nutritious breakfast and lunch, much like every student gets textbooks and a laptop.
• How SNA’s membership declined during the pandemic, but it’s on the rise dramatically as the pandemic has eased and SNA has adjusted its programs and services.

References:

• School Nutrition Association website
• SNA’s Advocacy efforts
• Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!); https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/quiet-flight; License code: KJRRI6GHC7WKCLDT

How do you differentiate your organization in a crowded fundraising landscape where so many organizations are asking individuals and companies for support? How do you craft stories that are compelling and encourage action?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Aaron Alejandro, Executive Director of the Texas FFA (Future Farmers of America) Foundation. Aaron introduces the Foundation, shares his journey to becoming Executive Director of the Foundation, and shares how the Foundation’s fundraising and programs are thriving through:

• A powerful vision for FFA.
• Compelling stories that help donors understand the FFA mission and programs.
• Successful partnerships between the actors in the Texas Ag-Ed (agricultural education) ecosystem.

References:

• Texas FFA Foundation website
• FFA national website
• Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/zoo/clarity; License code: RQWZMZXYSBVT16ZW

How do you create a thriving association with an all-volunteer staff? How do you create and maintain momentum as the organization grows and matures? How do we plan our professional and volunteer lives so our personal lives don’t get short-changed?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Gretchen Steenstra, Chair and President of Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC), who introduces AWTC, shares her journey to becoming Chair of this all-volunteer organization, and talks about what we can expect from AWTC in 2023. Gretchen discusses:

• The origins of AWTC and how the organization is by and for women association execs who create and use technology, not just CTOs and CIOs.
• How AWTC started out as a meetup and is now a full-fledged 501(c)(3).
• How Gretchen plans her volunteer activities based on the intensity of her personal life. Next year, when her son will be a senior in high school, we won’t see much of Gretchen. But until then, it’s full steam ahead at AWTC and DelCor.
• The amazing AWTC planning meeting that will power the organization in 2023.
• Recent changes to the programming committee.
• The upcoming awards ceremony.
• Possible expansion of AWTC to other cities.
• A new membership application process.
• The new branding and website launching soon.

References:

• AWTC website
• AWTC awards
• AWTC events calendar

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