Category: Empower Yourself

9 Keys to Effective Professional Development

Professional development is standard practice in industries where certifications are required, but for associations and other businesses, this optional practice is often dismissed as an unnecessary expense. After all, you hired employees because they already had the skills you needed, right? Turns out, professional development is the best way to keep the tools in your […]

You Failed Your CAE. Now What?

To many in the association industry, earning your Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is the end-all-be-all marker of a successful and committed businessman or woman.  In fact, The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) says so themselves. “The Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is the marker of a committed association professional who has demonstrated the […]

4 Best Practices for a Microlearning Course

Microlearning is a hot topic in training and development today, but what is it and how can associations go about creating it?  Put simply, microlearning is a learning strategy designed to deliver content to learners in short, bite-sized and easily digestible nuggets. It can be anything from videos and infographics to a quiz to test […]

Finding Funding for Your Professional Development

Professional development may have taken a backseat to emergency management as most associations learned to navigate their way through a global pandemic, but it’s time to revisit this critical offering. Here’s why professional development is so important and how to find funding for it. Why Professional Development is Key The world is ever-changing, moving faster […]

How to Make the Most of Attending an Association Conference

Whether you’re entirely new to the association industry, attending a conference for the first time or are simply rusty after a few years of virtual events, conference season is here and it’s time to get ready.  As a first-timer myself (visit us at booth 1004 at ASAE’s Annual Meeting!), I was curious about how to […]

Using Your Association Membership for Career Advancement

When starting a new job, your focus should be on understanding your role, learning the ropes and eventually contributing to your organization. However, at some point, you’ll want to grow within the organization or advance into a new role, which is when career advancement strategies come into play.  While this often leads to plenty of […]

6 Best Professional Development Resources for Association Pros

Professional development is a reality of life in almost every industry, but especially for association professionals. Not only is it vital for helping you excel in your career, but for those with a CAE certification, it’s a requirement.  Because our Sidecar members are so focused on their professional growth, they often ask “who else does […]

Everything You Need to Know About Goal Setting

As we close the door on some of the most challenging years in recent history, finding motivation for personal growth and development can be tough. As folks reflect on things and begin planning how exactly the new year will bring about that “new year, new me,” goal setting may be the answer.  Whether you want […]

7 Work-Life Balance Strategies for Association Professionals

You work hard to deliver for your members. But the pandemic has disrupted your professional life and increased demands on your home life. Even with all the talk about things opening up (or not), your workload has increased and you’re spending more time than ever in meetings. You know there must be a better way […]

How to Use Your Association’s 990 Form to Ask For a Raise

Know your worth — the most common phrase heard when discussing pay rate at your organization. As the focus on essential workers and prioritizing mental health rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the true value of one’s skills and time skyrocketed.  This awareness brought about a well-deserved conversation on what a worker is really worth, […]

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