Radio Free 501c - a podcast about Nonprofit Management

This episode: Do you think print is dead? Well my guest Al Rickard, CAE of Association Vision is here to share the news that print is very much alive! An expert in association publishing with a focus on magazines, Al shares his take on the state of magazines, how magazines can be paired with current technology to serve as a content hub, and the importance of communication audits. He shares another piece of good news: you can always launch a new magazine. Al tells us how to read the environment to assess the potential success of new communication vehicles like print magazines. We have fun talking about the CAE program and how the exam has evolved, and we learn that Al was once a supermodel! Okay, a model on a magazine cover but it's still a cool story! How does your organization use print to communicate? Share a comment!

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

This week's topic: Women - Time to Exit the Harem

This episode: As nonprofit management professionals, we are aware of the "3 Duties": Care, Loyalty, and Obedience. These should guide the work and decision making of any Board of Directors, but there is a 4th Duty to consider: The Duty of Foresight. Foresight is the act of looking ahead, anticipating environmental factors, and setting the stage for a future where your successors can thrive and find success. My guest, Jeff De Cagna, FASAE, is an expert on this topic and is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of when he first named it and starting his work in this area. Foresight is a choice, but Jeff makes the argument that it is necessary. We talk about orthodoxy and how established beliefs can get in the way of putting foresight into practice, and why we need it in an age of artificial intelligence. The work of today's board is built on yesterday's accomplishments, and the future board will base its work on today. Listen to this in-depth conversation to learn more about the need for foresight and its long-term implications for nonprofit organizations. Does your organization practice foresight? Share a comment!

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

This week's topic: Women - Ask for What You Want

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

This week's topic: Dr. Manhattan, The Passage of Time, & Associations

This episode: It's a video world! With multiple channels for distributing video files, and devices that all have built in cameras, it seems like an easy choice to record and upload. Just point, shoot, and upload, right? But that's not always the best way to break through to your audiences. I talk with Cameron Gordon, President, Ellipsis Productions, and Cora Hankey, Producer at Ellipsis about "The In-Between is Ineffective" and how associations can tell their story in more powerful ways using video. We start off discussing what they mean by the "in-between" and how self-made is not necessarily bad. Cam and Cora discuss using documentary-style filmmaking to tell association stories, how they helped a client tell their side of the story when wrong information hit the news cycle, and why they love working with associations. We also talk about hippos and private jets. Get the context for that comment -- listen to this episode full of great advice on storytelling! How do you use video to tell your organization's story? Share a comment!

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

This week's topic: Sunsetting - It's good to let go with Purpose

This episode: Every year since 2012, Association Laboratory has conducted an environmental scan of the association space. The report is "Looking Forward" and my guest Dean West and I discuss the 2024 edition. Workforce/staffing concerns and artificial intelligence are top issues affecting associations today, and the database takes users into a deep dive of all the factors tested in this annual study. We discuss the experience of newer generations, professions being pushed against each other, and how the data can support governance reformation. This study is so detailed it even makes predictions -- find out which ones were on target! This conversation will peak your interest and make you wonder what's next. What do you see when you look forward? Share a comment!

This episode: Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere whether we like it or not. While it can be a useful research tool or even perform some tasks like an assistant, there are still many unanswered questions regarding how it can be useful to nonprofits, especially membership associations. My guest Johanna Snider, CEO, Blue Cypress, shares her personal experiences using AI and how that provides her with insights to share with organizations. If you or your organization are still considering how to best use AI tools, this episode will answer many questions and provide guidance about integrating this tool into your workflow and maybe even your life. How are you using AI tools? Share a comment!