Radio Free 501c - a podcast about Nonprofit Management

Radio Free 501c brought to you by Rogue Tulips Consulting and USAE News!

Episode 344: Volunteer Engagement

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: J​ustin Burniske, Principal Consultant, Meta-Dao

​J​ustin and I conduct a deep dive conversation into improving volunteer engagement across associations. ​We are both active volunteers and also help organizations through our professional work. We have a great time discussing everything from recruiting volunteers to keeping them engaged to creating a valuable experience. 

Our wide-ranging and boundary pushing conversation centers on:

·      Intentional Program Design

·      Capturing Micro-Volunteering

·      Sustaining Volunteer Energy

·      Challenging Assumptions 

What ​e​xcites you about volunteer engagement? Share a comment! 

The author reads here weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, Rogue Speak.

This week's topic: You have to Choose - Leadership and Decision Making

In this special edition of Radio Free 501c, I talk withfour of my colleagues from the Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative about our booth experience at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN. It's a wonderful example of collaboration and community!

Radio Free 501c brought to you by Rogue Tulips Consulting and USAE News!

Episode 343: Strategic Alliances

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Paula Seidel, CAE, IOM, Founder, Powerful Partners

My guest Paula brings her expertise in relationship management to the broader conversation of alliances and partnerships. Inspired by her recent presentation at ASAE's 2026 Annual Meeting, we dive into what makes relationships work, why we should collaborate more often, and the fact that we can do more together than alone. 

Our conversation highlights:

• Defining Strategic Alliances vs. Partnership​s
• Identifying Alliance Opportunities
• Conducting Due Diligence
• Resource and Outcome Sharing
• Focusing on the Human Element

Paula is a fresh voice in the association world and her passion and commitment shine through! If you want to improve your organization's relationships then this is the episode for you. 

What would you like to improve about your strategic alliances? Share a comment! 

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, Rogue Speak.

This week's topic: Someone Could Lose an Eye - Managing Shifting Demands

Radio Free 501c brought to you by Rogue Tulips Consulting and USAE News!

Episode 342: The Human Factor in Associations

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Kevin Novak, CEO, Founder & Chief Strategist, 2040 Digital

My guest Kevin is an expert in integrating new technology systems in a way that respects human beings and how we work, think, behave, and most importantly, feel. In an era where some people are stoking fear of technology, specifically A.I., we need calmer heads in the conversation. 

The important points we cover are:

*Cognitive Capacity & Emotional Obstacles

*Efficiency vs. Effectiveness

*Critical Thinking Decline

*Broader Industry Disruption

*Strategic A.I. Integration

Kevin points out the transformation curve and how it covers many of the emotions of the stages of grief. It's a serious topic but we find the joy in what makes humans so unique and special. 

What causes tension in your organization when it comes to digital transformation? Share a comment! 

#podcast #roguetulips #usaenews #2040digital #digital #technology #transformation #human #association #nonprofit 

Radio Free 501c brought to you by Rogue Tulips Consulting and USAE News!

Episode 341: ​Something About Membership

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: ​Jim Thompson, CAE, IOM, Founder & CEO, Tying It Together Consulting
​

This week, we decided to do something about membership with first-time guest, Jim. We have a great time talking about the nature of membership, engagement, and belonging. He also shares information about his client tools like the Membership Flywheel. ​

Our conversation touches on these aspects of what we need to consider when delivering valuable experiences: 

• ​Focus on the Member Experience Over Transactions
• Word-of-Mouth is the Primary Driver for Growth
• Dynamic Value Propositions and Persona Targeting
• Recognizing and Overcoming Organizational Fear
• Evolving Beyond Traditional Volunteer Roles

Y​ou'll enjoy this fun and wide-ranging conversation on the nature of membership and what it means. What is the something about membership that keeps you up at night? Share a comment!

Radio Free 501c brought to you by Rogue Tulips Consulting and USAE News!

Episode 3​40: ​S​tewardship That Strengthens

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: ​Allison Wyatt, Founder & CEO, Edgility Talent Partners

This week we talk about a different aspect of Board stewardship: compensation, succession planning, and knowledge management. One of the things Allison mentions is the fact that some executive staff could be a flight risk -- that's right. They might run if the Board isn't paying attention to the importance of staff retention. We discuss the need for alignment in all these areas and how Boards can plan not just for their term but for future Boards!

The topics we include:

• Board Responsibilities Beyond internal Staff

• Risks of Deflated Executive Compensation - flight risk!!

• Proactive Succession Planning

• Systemic Board Continuity

​These are all the areas that we know are important but may set aside "for later." What do you think is an overlooked aspect of stewardship? Share a comment!

#podcast #roguetulips #usaenews #edgilitytalentpartners #executive #compenstation #successionplanning #association #nonprofit  

R​adio Free 501c brought to you by Rogue Tulips Consulting and USAE News!

Episode 339: Building Internal Capacity for Associations

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Michael Butera, Founder & CEO, Association ActiVision

Michael points out what might seem obvious: The future is determined by the capacity to act. It doesn't matter how long you work developing your strategic plan if you can't deliver on it. ​​In this episode, we review:

• Building Strategic Capacity vs. Strategic Plans

• Scenario Planning Over Static Planning

• Board Stewardship and Oversight

We discuss how associations can continue to adapt, manage risk, achieve mission, and more! My favorite part is learning more about BANI+: Bendable, Attentive, Neuroflexible, and Interconnected. Sounds like the 21st Century to me.

How do you help your organization deliver on its promise to exist in the future? Share a comment!#podcast #roguetulips #usaenews #​associationactivision #strategy #capacity #scenario #association #nonprofit  

Radio Free 501c brought to you by Rogue Tulips Consulting and USAE News!

Episode 33​8: ​T​rade Show Health Check

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: ​D​ana Freker Doody, Principal Strategist & Owner, Inktide Solutions

​Dana is back! She's here to talk about the importance of trade shows and events to fuel associations' mission engine. We have a great time talking about trade shows and how much we are looking forward to our own trade show experience in the ASAE26 Exhibit Hall!

We touch on these important aspects that keep trade shows healthy and support your show's future: 

• The Four Gaps in Trade Show Health
• Exhibitor Retention as a Strategic Indicator 
• Understanding True Activation Costs 
• Post-Event Insights Drive Retention 
• The Evolving Nature of Events 

If you wonder about improving your trade show then this episode is a must. 

Come by Booth 1329 at ASAE26 and visit with us and the other Nonprofit Consultant Collaborative Members!​

What would you like to improve about your trade show? Share a comment!​

#usaenews #inktidesolutions #tradeshow #strategy #impact #association #nonprofit