Learning by Association

Every association wants to show leadership in its space. But amid a sea of uncertainty, that can be easier said than done. Fueling growth might mean looking beyond what you’ve done before and exploring what you can do next. What programs, practices and processes are holding you back? Where else can you look for guidance? 

In this episode of Learning by Association, host Bill Sheehan talks with Artesha Moore, president and CEO of Association Forum, about the importance of innovation in navigating the changes ahead of us.  

They discuss: 

• taking inspiration from other industries when it comes to new business strategies 
• having difficult conversations to challenge the status quo and encourage innovation 
• getting boards engaged so they become active participants in strategic initiatives 
• leaning into partnerships with vendors, suppliers and partners 
• providing high-quality experiences that continue to deliver sought-after value and promote community engagement 

Artesha's insights into leadership, governance and the future of associations make this episode a must-listen. 

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

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Associations play crucial roles in promoting and protecting industry interests while providing community, education and support for members. However, the landscape is changing rapidly. Competition now comes from influential individuals, training providers and social media platforms, and technological changes feel like they’re happening at lightning speed.

In this video, Bob Moore, MA, MS, FASAE, CAE, executive director with the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and the ACOFP Foundation, discusses how associations can adapt and thrive. Topics include:

• Connecting With New Audiences: Strategies to engage and attract new members.
• Onboarding Processes: Establishing solid onboarding and reboarding for members and staff.
• Strengthening Relationships: Building strong partnerships with vendors and suppliers.
• Standing Out: Rising above the clutter to become trusted industry sources.
• Community Building: Cementing associations as the connective threads that bring people together.

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Non-dues revenue is becoming an increasingly important source of income for many associations—enabling innovation, relevance and financial stability in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In part two of our conversation, Sean Soth, executive vice president of strategy and global partnerships for the Society of Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) and founder and leadership advisory board chair for Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR), explores:

• the need for associations to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and invest in business development
• the hurdles that can get in the way of associations bringing non-dues initiatives to life
• ways to align all constituents—staff, board members, business partners and members—around a shared mission
• the value that associations can continue to provide as trusted sources of information for members and industries alike
• strategies associations can leverage to engage more effectively with their supplier and vendor communities

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Increasing non-dues revenue is critical for associations, especially in the face of evolving member expectations and economic pressures. It’s about sustaining growth and delivering valuable services that move members and the industry forward.

But wanting to accelerate non-dues revenue is one thing. Bringing initiatives to life is another. For many associations, it can feel like a big shift, testing traditional membership models and putting pressure on already precious resources.

The key is to make sure your approaches to generating non-dues revenue align with your association’s mission and reflect your members’ needs and goals.

In this episode, Sean Soth, executive vice president of strategy and global partnerships for the Society of Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) and founder and leadership advisory board chair for Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR), joins us to talk about:

• navigating the evolving landscape of association revenue
• developing mission-centric strategies for generating non-dues revenue
• getting buy-in for different membership models from association leadership
• elevating business development to enable sustainable growth
• leaning into the expertise vendors and industry partners bring to the table

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to be transformative for associations. It can be a catalyst of innovation that enables you to engage with members, partners, sponsors and other stakeholders in more targeted, personalized and effective ways. It will also have an impact on your membership, changing the expectations they have and the support they need to thrive in their careers.

In this episode, Julian Moore, an AI and Partnerships Consultant, joins us to talk about how you can use AI to help your association attract, engage and retain more members and cement its role as a trusted source of information within your industry.

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t a fad. It’s here to stay. Associations need to be prepared to use it, but many also have concerns about how AI will impact day-to-day operations and the larger ways in which associations serve the industries and members they represent. 

In this episode, Julian Moore, an AI and Partnerships Consultant, joins us to discuss what associations need to know about AI, how they can make strategic use of it, and why they’ll continue to play a crucial role in supporting the needs of the industries and members they serve.

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Associations might face some major changes, but they continue to bring tremendous value to the professions and people they serve. They advocate for their industries, elevate the voices of experts, and give members a place to advance in their careers.

At the heart of bringing these goals to life is an association’s staff.

In part two of our conversation with Tracy Folkes Hanson, CAE, President & CEO of CSAE, we explore:

• personalizing experiences that meet members where they’re at
• nurturing a healthy, dynamic workplace culture
• providing professional development opportunities and pathways
• adapting to meet the evolving needs of employees
• rallying around a shared value proposition and making sure every member of staff has the ability and confidence to articulate it

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Associations are facing a tidal wave of change. Membership demographics, member expectations, staff turnover, emerging tech—these factors and more are putting pressure on what associations do and why they do it.

What do these changes mean for associations? Should we regard them as threats, or can we see them as opportunities? They’re a bit of both.

On one hand, they’ll compel associations to reevaluate core practices and offerings. On the other, they also create chances for associations to cement themselves as the trusted, authoritative experts and leaders in their space.

Joined by Tracy Folkes Hanson, CAE, CEO of CSAE, we take a closer look at:

• the role have associations traditionally played in serving their industries, members and staff
• the trends, opportunities and challenges we’re seeing bubble up
• who these changes are impacting the most

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Offering learning experiences that are accessible doesn’t just support members with a disability. It can benefit everyone. 

In this episode, we explore what makes education accessible and the ripple effects it can have across the membership and for the association. Our host, Mark Jones, CAE, is joined by Amy Morrisey, president of Artisan E-Learning. 

Some of the topics they discuss include:

• what we mean when we talk about accessible learning 
• why associations need to put accessibility at the forefront 
• how creating accessible education experiences can help associations reach bigger, broader audiences 
• tips and best practices for designing content that’s accessible 

Plus, hear about examples from other industries and the lessons they hold for associations. 

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.  

Members look to associations to help them thrive in their professional lives—especially in an age of accelerated change. Easier said than done. What do people want to learn? How do they want to learn it? How can associations set themselves apart in an increasingly competitive landscape? 

In this episode, our host, Mark Jones, CAE, is joined by Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE, president and CEO of Association Forum. Some of the topics they touch on include the opportunities and challenges of catering to a multi-generational workforce, the role associations can play in enabling richer skills development, and the ways associations can reimagine how, where and when they deliver education experiences.

To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.

Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.