Association Transformation

Send us Fan Mail It's more than just a month! Elisa and Andrew discuss moving beyond traditional volunteer appreciation to sustainable volunteer management. In this episode of Association Transformation, they explore the unique challenges of membership organizations' reliance on volunteers, introducing a three-part approach: elevating volunteers as experts, celebrating their contribution...

Send us Fan Mail We're taking a break for a couple of weeks but we don't want you to go without your regular AT fix, so we're re-releasing some of our favourites until we return.  Next up, we're going right back to Season 2, Episode 32 from May 2021 when Elisa and Andrew discussed the importance of failure and its role in our growth as association leaders.   Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We're taking a break for a couple of weeks but we don't want you to go without your regular AT fix, so we're re-releasing some of our favourites until we return, starting with our milestone 100th episode from May 2024. Join us for a momentous milestone as the Association Transformation podcast reaches its 100th episode! From pivoting to provocative, Elisa Pratt and...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the person at the head of the table doesn’t feel like they belong there? In this episode of Association Transformation , we welcome back Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of the Cast Metals Federation, for a candid conversation about imposter syndrome at the highest levels of leadership. From “faking it” in boardrooms to building confidence through curiosity, Simo...

Send us Fan Mail In this revolutionary episode, host Elisa Pratt uncovers how Nicole Crabtree orchestrates UST's impressive educational ecosystem. Nicole reveals the project management magic behind delivering 200 free events annually, explaining how Asana automation eliminates decision fatigue and maintains consistency. Listeners will learn why panel discussions featuring association professi...

Send us Fan Mail What does effective, humble and self-aware leadership look like? Join hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain as they welcome Ellen Daniels, CEO of the British Compressed Gases Association and 2025 WiTA Powerlist honoree. Ellen, who became CEO at just 29, shares candid insights on creating a leadership culture built on humility and self-awareness. From making confident decisions...

Send us Fan Mail Stop hiding your AI usage "under the desk" and learn practical implementation strategies that won't sacrifice authentic member connections. Andrew and Elisa are joined by Your Nerdy Best Friend , Beth Z. who shares how to identify your existing AI power users, organize an effective "AI Day" for your team, and navigate the flood of new tools without getting...

Send us Fan Mail Just released! In Episode 135 of Association Transformation, hosts Elisa Pratt and Andrew Chamberlain sit down with Carter Lyons from LeadingAge Virginia for a refreshingly honest conversation about what we're getting wrong in member engagement. More than "40 under 40" lists and special young professional groups, Carter challenges us to see members as individuals fi...

Send us Fan Mail In this candid conversation sparked by a governance-related nightmare, Elisa and Andrew dive into the challenges of board confidentiality and organizational culture. From unpacking the true meaning of the Chatham House rule to exploring why board members might "play nice" in meetings but undermine decisions behind the scenes, this episode offers crucial insights for asso...

Send us Fan Mail Join Andrew and Elisa as they explore how associations can harness the power of industry research to drive member value and organizational growth. Analyzing the latest industry reports, they highlight opportunities for associations to differentiate themselves through quality data analytics. The conversation provides practical insights on investing in market research, understanding...

Send us Fan Mail This week we welcome back Gordon Glenister, CEO of Membership World , reflecting on the outcomes of their recent AI Hackathon. AI is rapidly evolving, as is its potential for how we maximise its use in association management, and whilst the opportunities are seemingly limitless, there are definitely many lessons to learn from the immersive experience of the Hackathon, including th...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode, Elisa is joined by guest co-host Kevin Couling, who returns to the pod to give us his insider's perspective on climate action and what it means for associations. He breaks down the recent COP29 climate conference, highlighting practical ways associations can take meaningful action regardless of global politics. Kevin offers valuable insights on how o...

Send us Fan Mail Elisa welcomes Membership Bespoke co-founders Dennis Howes and Daniel Goddard for the 130th episode Association Transformation. Dive into the critical world of talent acquisition for membership organizations. From transforming hiring timelines to navigating post-pandemic workplace expectations, discover how modern recruitment practices are evolving to meet the unique needs of asso...

Send us Fan Mail When does diplomatic leadership cross the line into artificial harmony? In this compelling episode, Andrew and Elisa explore the delicate balance between candor and courtesy in association leadership. From board-executive relationships to organizational transformation, they unpack why honest conversations have become increasingly difficult and how to break through the culture of a...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Association Transformation, hosts Elisa Pratt (CEO, Brewer Pratt Solutions) and Andrew Chamberlain (Managing Director, Elevated) welcome Dr. Marc Reid, author of "You Are Not a Fraud," to reframe imposter syndrome as "imposter phenomenon" - a natural response to growth rather than a psychological ailment. Particularly relevant for association...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for Association Transformation’s year-end review as we reflect on the challenges and victories across the association sector in 2024. From managing hybrid work realities to governance as leadership, we explore what made the previous 12 months both exhausting and enlightening. Looking ahead to 2025, we discuss key focus areas, including trust and expertise in membership org...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for a paradigm shift in change management! Join Andrew, Elisa, and special guest Michael Randel as they unpack the surprising gift of resistance and its crucial role in organizational transformation. Discover how embracing resistance can lead to more effective leadership, stronger stakeholder engagement, and ultimately, more successful change initiatives in this must-lis...

Send us Fan Mail After returning from a transformative week in Manila, concluding the inaugural Certificate in Association Governance program, hosts Elisa and Andrew reflect on the universal challenges and opportunities in nonprofit governance. Fresh from their experiences teaching association professionals in the Philippines, they explore why mastering governance is the crucial first step in tack...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ In this compelling episode of Association Transformation, Elisa Pratt hosts this important deep dive solo and takes on one of the most pressing challenges facing trade associations today: industry consolidation. Joined by Rob Paterkiewicz (Selected Independent Funeral Homes) and Leann Shepp (American Bankers Association), the conversation reveals how associations are adapting t...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 123 of the Association Transformation podcast, we explore the power of constructive conflict. Of course, not all conflict is created equal: Learn about task-driven, destructive, and process-driven conflicts. Turns out trust just might be the foundation that turns disagreement into innovation. Yes we disagree, yes we argue, but Andrew and Elisa master the trinity of conf...

Send us Fan Mail Join Andrew and Elisa as they dive deep into the realities of association engagement with Nikki Walker, Global VP at MCI Group, unpacking the revealing insights from the 2024 Association Engagement Index (and some 2022 comparisons). Discover why younger members are less likely to advocate for associations, learn strategies to personalize member experiences and explore the innovati...

Send us Fan Mail On this week’s episode we welcome Gordon Glenister, Founder and CEO of Membership World , to discuss the groundbreaking AI hackathon set for January 2025. Learn how AI is revolutionizing membership engagement, recruitment, and growth, and why practical, hands-on learning is crucial in this rapidly evolving landscape. Gordon shares his vision for an interactive event where associat...

Send us Fan Mail It's that time of year again, when things go bump in the night! Elisa and Andrew once again tell their Halloween horror stories and reflect on the chilling tales of terror that have haunted them since last All Hallows Eve. 👻🎃🧟‍♂️ Support the show

Send us Fan Mail It was International Podcast Day on September 30, and association podcasters from around the globe have come together for an epic mashup! Get ready for a fun, insightful, and slightly chaotic episode where top association podcast hosts share their stories, tips, and a few behind-the-scenes bloopers. Whether you're already a podcast enthusiast or thinking about starting a podc...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an energizing conversation with TEDx speaker and social media guru Robin (@robbinmarx) Nathaniel on the latest episode of Association Transformation! Robin shares game-changing insights on leveraging social media for nonprofit fundraising, emphasizing the power of storytelling over constant solicitation. Learn how to create donor avatars, choose the right platforms, an...