Radio Free 501c - a podcast about Nonprofit Management

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

This week's topic: Can I Live Up to my Headshot?

Episode 303: This episode supported by USAE News! Gatlinburg, TN is a city with a lot to offer to groups and tourists. Who better to share their love for the city and its great stories than my guest Dave Esslinger, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. We talk about how Gatlinburg partners with the nearby cities, how the city got its name, negotiating tips for contracts, and some surprise costs you may not be aware of at convention centers! In addition to his excellent expert advice, he also shares a hidden benefit of Gatlinburg: its wonderful arts district. Most of us don't think of Gatlinburg when we think of art centers but it is home to Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the only accredited arts and crafts school in the United States. Dave shares how this enhances the visitor experience whether you are at a conference or on vacation because you can create something to take home. Dave wears several hats which is a bit unusual -- he'll explain how his role is slightly different than other CVB leaders. Listen or watch to find out what is so different about how Dave represents this lovely city. What questions do you have about negotiating with CVBs or Convention Centers? Share a comment!

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

This week's topic: Giving Dues Their Due

Episode 302: As we near the end of the calendar year, budget tends to be on the mind of associations -- especially in this era of uncertainty and unease. The good thing is that we can always adjust our plans to maintain financial sustainability and there is no better guest to have on that topic than Mike Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder, Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits. Mike walks us through what sustainability actually means, what actions can we take that relate to it, what role reserves actually play in the organization's life, and managing funding sources. The goal is to have long-term financial health! We dive deep into finances so don't miss this important episode where we also talk about IOM and our personal commitment to volunteering. What questions do you have about financial sustainability? Share a comment!

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

This weeks' topic: Annoyingly Intrusive - Lessons from Clippy the Paper Clip

Episode 301: We focus on the new white paper, "Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch." Lean Start Up Methodology was really on our minds about a decade ago. While there are many professionals who use it and swear by their results, associations and other nonprofits are still slow to adopt this approach. But it could be just what we need to stay adaptive and responsive in the fast-moving 21st century. My guests include the co-authors of "Lean at 10," Elizabeth Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting, LLC, and Jamie Notter, Culture Scientist, Jamie Notter.com, and a practitioner of Lean Management, Chrissy Bagby, CAE, PMP, Chief Strategy Officer, AAVSB. Elizabeth and Jamie outline the major concepts in the paper, and why they revisited this topic 10 years later. Chrissy shares examples of how she and her colleagues use Lean Methodology t principles to move things ahead. She says, "Challenge your idea of failure." That alone is worth the listen! You will also hear fun stories about our early days in association work and how blogs were something we weren't sure would catch on . . . We give a shout out to Guillermo Ortiz de Zarate, the co-author of the original paper. Some may call him just G, but he'll always be Guillermo to me :) What would motivate you to try Lean Methodology? Share a comment!

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

Radio Free 501c celebrated Episode 300 with a LIVESTREAM to YouTube. We were joined by some of our past guests and had a great time talking about the podcast and the future of associations.

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

This week's topic: Memories of Bunny Sparkles

Episode 299: This episode supported by USAE News! Many of us "fall into" nonprofit management as a career, but what if we would have known it was a great career track when we were in college? My guest Shelby Truxon, Vice President, Internship Experience at The Nonprofit Alliance, gets to work with students and employers all year long facilitating their great student internship program Leading Edge. Shelby connects students with employers at nonprofit organizations and at vendor partner companies supporting nonprofits -- I think she has one of the best jobs in the world because she gets to advocate on the benefits of the nonprofit community! She shares how the program works, the support resources for employers offering internships, and data on how the program has grown since it started 3 years ago. Are you looking for an intern next summer? Listen to this insightful conversation and learn more about how you can participate -- did I mention the MICRO internship opportunities? What do you think is important in an internship program? Share a comment! Check out our podcast web page to see the show notes and how you can sign up for TNPA's internship program information sessions!