You Should Hear This

Listen in as we explore the intersection of neurodiversity, social anxiety, and membership associations with psychologist, author, and speaker, Dr. Dan Wendler. In this episode of “You Should Hear This”, we will dive into the importance of fostering inclusivity and diversity within associations, highlighting strategies to support neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism or ADHD. From enhancing member engagement and retention to promoting professional development and networking opportunities, Dr. Dan shares invaluable insights and practical tips for association leaders. Join us as we discuss advocacy efforts, organizational culture, and leadership initiatives aimed at creating welcoming and supportive environments for all members. 

Welcome to another compelling episode of "You Should Hear This," where we delve into the insights that can transform your career trajectory. In this edition, our guest is none other than former Indiana resident, Rick Burt, a seasoned professional with a remarkable journey in the association industry. Join us as Rick shares invaluable wisdom on leveling up your career and finding success as an award-winning association leader. Tailored for younger professionals navigating the dynamic landscape of associations, this episode provides actionable advice, strategic tips, and inspiring anecdotes to empower and guide you towards achieving your professional aspirations.

 Dive into the dynamic world of event planning as we explore the latest trends that are defining the future of unforgettable gatherings. In this episode, Sara Stehle, CAE, CMP (Independent Planner and Owner of Wow Moments - Experience and Event Design), will share insights on cutting-edge technologies, innovative strategies, and immersive experiences. From virtual reality to eco-friendly gatherings, discover shifts that are transforming the way we connect and engage. Whether you're an event professional or simply passionate about creating “WOW” moments, this episode is your guide to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of event planning. 

Membership organizations are reporting higher levels of disengagement and decline than ever before. That’s a fact. It’s also a fact no one really knows how to solve the problem. If they did, the decline would have reversed long ago.  Think about it. Membership is not a recognized subject of expertise. There are no degrees, defined requirements, career paths, or educational tracks. Membership organizations employ millions and generate billions in revenue, and not a single person has been certifiably or definitively trained in the subject of membership. This means the strategies essential to member engagement and growth have remained largely unknown, overlooked, guessed, or left to chance.  Sarah Sladek discusses a new member-centric strategy, success stories, and how to membership organizations can build meaningful connection within their communities.

Doesn’t it feel like associations often seem behind the curve when it comes to technological advancements? Would you agree that there’s a significant lack of knowledge about the impact of Google Analytics 4 on and for associations? On today’s episode, with our guest, we are going to dig into why and how associations can find value in first-party data, why this is SO important, and what they can be doing now to set themselves up for a big advantage in the future. 

Many associations are continuously working to identify ways to authentically tell their story through print, digital, and video mediums. With SO many options, it can be remarkably overwhelming, but it’s also critical to “get right”. During the podcast, we will discuss how association leaders can ensure their story-telling efforts are aligned with the impact of the association.

 In this episode, we dive into a crucial aspect of association management with esteemed guest Michael Sanserino. Tune in as we explore the unique journey of association professionals transitioning from industry roles to serving within associations.Discover how to leverage prior experience for success, gaining invaluable insights as both a member and prospective association advocate. Michael emphasizes the importance of blending personal perspective with the collective voice of the industry. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Dive into the world of Association Management Companies (AMCs) with Lane Velayo, CAE, and Leslie Murphy, FASAE, CAE! 🎙️Ever wondered about the magic behind the scenes at AMCs? If you're new to the association world, this one's for you! 🌐 We're demystifying the invaluable role AMCs play in driving associations forward. 🚀Join us as we chat about the unique benefits of being a part of an AMC team, and how they elevate the game for associations everywhere. Get ready to collect inspiration and fresh insights 🌟 Tune in now for a dose of knowledge, a dash of fun, and a whole lot of association expertise! 🎧🔍

Have you ever traveled for work or pleasure and found yourself in an uncomfortable or awkward position because you weren’t familiar with local or cultural norms?Are you soon traveling internationally for work OR hosting an international audience stateside, and you’re thinking about how and why to be sensitive to cultural differences? You’re in luck! This episode features special guest Toni Brearley, Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Society of Association Executives. Listen as we dive into a few funny stories and important lessons learned for traveling abroad for meetings. 

Dean West, President of Association Laboratory, is a globally recognized thought leader and futurist for the association community. For more than 20 years he has researched what works and does not work in association strategy and leadership.An engaging, provocative and conversational speaker, he understands the unique needs of association leaders working in a complex, dynamic environment. Mr. West’s research-based insights inform and inspire. A Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Association Forum, as Past Chairman of ASAE’s Professional Development Council and as a past member of ASAE’s Membership Council. He is a former association chief staff officer with experience leading national and international associations.Mr. West founded Association Laboratory, Inc. in 1999. Association Laboratory, Inc. specializes in the research and development of strategy for trade and professional associations and in the provision of strategic education for association leaders. The company serves a global client base of professional, trade and corporate organizations through offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, DC.

A unique opportunity within the Association world is ASAE’s NextGen Summit. The NextGen Association Summit is an initiative which invests in high-potential leaders in the association community. It provides the opportunity for up to 25 participants to cultivate new professional skills and creative confidence, while also acquiring the tools, visibility and network necessary to become a force in the broader association community.ISAE has been fortunate enough to have several of our members attend this program over the last few years. And today we have one of those attendees as our guest to share his experience! Craig Banister is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Raybourn Group International. He got his start in the association world in 2015 as an intern for RGI. He graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a B.A. in Communication with a double emphasis in public relations and electronic media. Offered once annually, NextGen is a unique opportunity for younger leaders who have both a passion for associations and the leadership potential to make a tremendous impact to the success of the organizations they serve. As a NextGen scholar, you will be acquiring the tools, visibility and network necessary to advance your executive career goals within your association and throughout the broader association community. To learn more go to www.asaecenter.org 

The current job market is competitive. Although there are opportunities to leave your current role for another position, that’s not the decision we all want to make. Perhaps we’d like to stay where we are but with increased responsibilities and opportunities or potentially an increased salary or benefits. Approaching these conversations, however, can be awkward.Where do you start? What do you say? Should you have a presentation as to why you deserve the promotion? These are all questions that we think of when approaching the promotion conversation. Our guest today, Chris Price, will be able to assist with these questions. Chris Price is a partner at The Mattison Corporation, where his leadership and fun-loving attitude keep non-profit associations thriving. Describing each day as a new adventure, Chris takes pride in helping clients fulfill their missions. Under his leadership, non-profit clients have experienced substantial growth, as has The Mattison Corporation.Before joining The Mattison Corporation, Chris worked in the construction and civil engineering fields. He currently serves as president of the Indiana Construction Roundtable and the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation. He is also currently involved with workforce development programs supporting the hospitality sector. Outside of work and philanthropy, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Stefanie, and their three sons. When he can get a break, you can find him on the golf course.To get in contact with Chris, you can follow him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-price-06b95a29/ 

Welcome to Season 2 of "You Should Hear This." Due to the success and outpour of love from Season 1, we are back! Just like the previous season, our host, Nick Estrada, CAE, CMP, will be sitting down with professionals that have the knowledge they want to share.As we kick off our second season, we sit back and think, what are the fundamentals of any workplace? You think of the work that you do for your association and members, and probably the most important are your co-workers. Our guest speaker today will be able to help us navigate our workplace culture by dealing with co-workers who may be going through hard times, returning to work from virtual, fatigue, and so much more. Liesel Mertes is the founder of Handle with Care. She is an acclaimed workplace empathy expert. Having experienced her own loss and struggle, Liesel emerged with a deep understanding of what employees need to feel supported at work after a disruptive life event. Liesel works with groups that want to boost employee satisfaction as well as attract and retain better talent. Liesel earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She has worked in Nairobi, consulted in Fiji, and led cohorts in Ghana. Her adventures brought her to Indiana, where she is a proud mother, wife, and lover of time spent on the water.Here are some resources that Liesel mentioned:Liesel Mindrebo Mertes Website & Empathy MenuLiesel's Movie Recommendation - Minari2022 State of Workplace Empathy Executive Summary

Most associations hold their annual conferences as a way to get their members under one roof for networking, education purposes, and also a retreat-like environment where you are surrounded by your peers. As life for many of us continues to return to a more familiar form, this year has been the first year for some associations to have an annual conference in person. Members and attendees are excited to be in person, but they also have questions. What will the programming be like now? What’s the draw for in-person now instead of virtual? Who are the speakers and how will they help me with my challenges? Our guest today is able to assist with these questions.Our guest today is Leander Rabe (Robby), who has been with Hulings and Associates, LLC for over 5 years. Developing others has been a way of life for him. Whether coaching Superintendents, Principals, CEOs, or first-grade players in youth soccer leagues, he is jazzed by seeing people reach their potential. That is why he has been engaged with coaching leaders and team building for the past 20 years.

In the association world, we often speak about risk from the perspective of getting our boards to be bigger risk-takers. We spend countless hours pulling the appropriate information to help them make the best decisions they can at the time. However, we don’t typically think about our own risk-taking when it comes to our own careers. Today, our guest is Cory Martin, MPA, CAE, Owner, and CEO of the association management company, Mission Control, and he speaks on taking those risks in your career to advance forward. He began his career in associations with Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Headquarters. He then became the Executive Director of the Indiana State Police Alliance. 

The mental health conversation is not new, yet today it's been talked about and addressed more than years previously. This is in part due to the pandemic and the emphasis that has been placed on mental health. In this week's episode,  owner of and counselor at Pathways to Healing Counseling, Kristen Boice, MA, LMFT, EMDR trained, CDWF, Podcast Host, discusses the importance of mental health, where we are today, and even tips for leaders to use, to better serve their team, and more.LMFT - Licensed marriage and family therapists. To learn more, click here: https://bit.ly/3wpbVOF.Kristen is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). To learn more, click here: https://www.aamft.org/.

STAR awards are the Indiana Society of Association Executives' way of recognizing members. This is ISAE's top award. The categories are broken into associations and individuals for their innovations, contributions, and impact on the association industry. In this week's episode, Erica Poff, PMP, CAE, IOM, Vice President of Nonprofit Effectiveness at Talbott Talent, discusses with us about how she received the award, why it meant so much to her, and how it has paved the way for others to come and more!

Association professionals often describe themselves as experts on membership, meetings, education and a variety of other topics. One area though which many prefer to avoid is legislative advocacy. These discussions and battles often feel overwhelming and force us to navigate an area of work that we aren’t comfortable with. We find there are new forms to complete, compliance to ensure and that’s just with the government; this doesn’t take into account how we manage these conversations with our members to best help advocate for them or to protect their ability to operate and do their jobs. Today we’ve got a great guest who can help us understand how to approach advocacy and how we see this play out in ISAE to support our own industry.Find Your Indiana Legislator link: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/Kim Williams: kwilliams@thecorydongroup.com