Academy of Association Management

The Big I (The Michigan Association of Insurance Agents)
1141 Centennial Way, Lansing, MI 48917

Instructor: Aaron Wolowiec, MSA, CAE, CMP Fellow
Event Garde, LLC

Industry-specific professional development is a core benefit provided by most associations. In this session, participants will consider professional development within the context of their organizations at both the macro and micro levels. At the macro level, participants will explore what it means to manage a cohesive portfolio of meetings and events given the current state of the pandemic. At the micro-level, participants will examine a comprehensive approach to designing and delivering both learning and networking experiences for a selected event that not only meets but exceeds changing customer expectations.

Public Relations & Marketing
Date: Monday, February 27, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:3O PM

American Concrete Institute
38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Instructor: John Tramontana, MS, CAE
Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

Instructor: Chelsey Martinez
Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators

Perception is reality. In this engaging session, two accomplished executives will bring focus and new perspective to the public relations and marketing activities that shape an association’s brand. Instructors will help participants think strategically about the audiences an association needs to influence and lead the group through the process of developing a plan that integrates marketing, public relations, and branding. This Academy session will provide association professionals a basic understanding of the critical roles public relations, marketing and branding play for associations.

Knowledge Management
Date: March 20, 2023 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

The Big I (The Michigan Association of Insurance Agents)
1141 Centennial Way, Lansing, MI 48917

Instructor: Susan Radwan, CAE, SMP, GSP
Leading Edge Mentoring  

How does your association identify, organize and make available the collective knowledge and information that is contained within it? The overall objective of knowledge management is to create value and to leverage, improve, and refine an association's competencies and knowledge assets to meet organizational goals and member needs. In this Academy session, attendees will learn to:

• Assess the state of knowledge management in their organizations
• Recognize the need for intentional development of knowledge management resources
• Begin to develop a content strategy for their departments within a larger knowledge management environment

Government Relations & Public Policy

Date: April 24, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
American Concrete Institute
38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Instructor: Dawn Crandall
Home Builders Association of Michigan            

Now more than ever, members look to their associations to represent their interests at the local, state and federal levels. But COVID-19 and the 2020 election have dramatically changed the landscape of association government relations. Coalitions have new significance. New legislators are in office. The authority of the executive office, state departments and local officials ebbs and flows. In this Academy session, participants will learn about the fundamentals of association government relations programs, why they are critical to so many associations and the laws and regulations that apply to association lobbying activities.

Membership

Date: May 22, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
The Big I (The Michigan Association of Insurance Agents)
1141 Centennial Way, Lansing, MI 48917

Instructor: Lori Birman, CAE
Small Business Association of Michigan

Instructor:  Marcy Dwyer, CAE, CMP, MBA
Detroit District Dental Society   

In many ways, membership is the very essence of associations. This session will provide participants with an overview of the importance and role that membership plays in various types of non-profit organizations. With the expert guidance of two veteran association executives as instructors, participants will learn about what motivates the decision to join, commonly used membership models, core tenets of recruitment, retention and the member life cycle, as well as the value of data for strategy, benchmarking and member service.

Diversified Revenue & Fundraising

Date: June 26, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
American Concrete Institute
38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Instructor: Gretchen Couraud, CAE, CFRE
TwoCan Management
  

Revenue generation is essential to leading a successful association. Learn about generating association non-dues revenue, including sponsorships, advertising, and affinity programs. Take the fear out of fundraising by learning what motivates people to give and how data can strategically promote your association and attract your supporters. Acquire skills and tools used by professional fundraisers to build your program. 

Governance & Structure

Date: August 28, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM 
The Big I (The Michigan Association of Insurance Agents)
1141 Centennial Way, Lansing, MI 48917


Instructor: Larry Merrill, CAE
Public Policy Associates

One of the things that make associations unique is how we are governed. “Governance” is the process by which decisions are made at all organizational levels. The value added to associations by their boards of directors will be the major focus of Association Governance. Collectively, we will examine the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act requirements, board roles, structure, decision processes, and authority delegated to staff and consider their impacts on an association’s ability to survive or thrive in challenging times.

Strategic Planning

Date: September 25, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
American Concrete Institute
38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48831


Instructor:  Michael Moss, CAE
Society for College & University Planning   

In this session on strategic planning, we will learn how to create an actionable and resilient strategic plan that enhances organizational effectiveness through:

• Assessing your organization’s readiness for change
• Developing a toolkit to understand stakeholder and member needs
• Understanding how strategy is developed, who is involved, and how your plan will address the needs of your organization
• Applying the interacting elements of strategy into an effective, sustainable process based on your organization’s culture.

Finance & Budget
Date: October 30, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

The Big I (The Michigan Association of Insurance Agents)
1141 Centennial Way, Lansing, MI 48917


Instructor: Bradley DeVries, CPA, CAE
Yeo & Yeo CPA and Business Accounting

Financial results are a vital component to gauging an association’s success and accomplishing its mission. As a result, it’s important that even those outside of the finance department understand the benchmarks and metrics, as well as the policies and procedures necessary to maintain and safeguard an association’s assets. 

This course provides the foundational skills necessary to interpret your financial information and make impactful decisions to maintain financial health and adapt for the challenges ahead.

Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion
Date: November 27, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM   

American Concrete Institute
38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48831

 
Instructor: Edward Woods III
Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission  

When an association values differences and creates a welcoming environment – one that is comfortable, inclusive, and empowering – they open the door for innovation, increased participation and an elevated sense of community and belonging for all. With evolving and highly diverse memberships and workforce, statements are not enough. Session participants should come ready to share and explore how associations can value differences and create welcoming environments to maximize member engagement and add value to your associations.

Meeting Planning
Date: December 11, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM 

The Big I (The Michigan Association of Insurance Agents)
1141 Centennial Way, Lansing, MI 48917

Instructor: Debbie Kopkau, MBA, CAE, CMP, GMS
Michigan School Business Officials

Instructor: Stephanie Wohlfert, CMP, CTA
Greater Lansing Convention Visitor's Bureau

This session will provide a basic overview of best practices in meeting planning for virtual and in-person meetings from the perspectives of both a veteran meetings planner and a supplier. Participants will gain an understanding of:
1. An event planning timeline from securing a venue through meeting promotions and communications
2. Meeting budget preparation including data collection for assumptions and pricing strategies
3. Speaker identification and contracts
4. Meeting logistics, including setup, capacities, special needs as well as food and beverage