CAE Weblog

Risks with Social Networking

Jennifer and Jessica from ISTE did a great job with their 25 Tips for Social Media session at ASAE. However, one can almost count on a question from the audience regarding legal risks. Legal risks should be considered, especially within highly regulated industries. However, it is often offered as a reason not to use these tools. The risk of not doing it and loosing members and/or mindshare to other groups or ad hoc communities is often greater than any legal risks.

What Makes Great Nonprofits Great

There are factors identified by the speakers' research. The biggest two for me support each other: 1 - They nuture nonprofit networks of individuals, businesses and government using innovation to collaborate and 2 - They use these networks to turn donors, members and volunteers into evangelists for mission/cause of the organization.

Secret Session

And the winner is... (in my humble opinion).

Secret Session

The players and the referee

Secret Session

Now that the secret is out as to this most-talked-about unsession in San Diego, organizers are somewhat fearful that the speakers will not live up to expectations that have been created. Well, the WOM marketing worked and is worth the price of admission. I for one plan to attend to hear what they have to say.

Diversity - Breaking the Code

ASAE and the Center's opening session on diversity presented a truly substantive conversation about diversity with both a truly expert panel and some inspirational testimonials from association professionals. We are all so concerned with being politically correct that have trouble having honest conversations. Will there come a time when there no longer a need for an association of black engineers? This was one of the best sessions of any kind that I ever attended.

Photos from Opening Reception

Check out the photos from the opening reception at ASAE and the Center's Annual Meeting.

Too Many Social Networks?

One of the big complaints that I heard today is that there too many profiles to maintain among the various social networking sites that association professionals use -- including LinkedIn, Facebook, Plaxo and others. Now ASAE and the Center has yet another one especially for association professions as part its member directory. The question posed by the Tech Council is whether or not this offering adds new value or should the site give the option to connect to existing profiles on other sites. What are your thoughts?

Blogging from my Blackberry

I'll be posting some nuggets of wisdom and key take-aways from the ASAE and the Center's Annual Meeting in San Diego. I'm going to try this from my Blackberry this year and see how that goes. I brought my laptop and there is free WiFi but it is just too damn heavy!

Upcoming Annual Meeting for ASAE and the Center

I'm looking forward to reconnecting with friends in San Diego.  With such a large crowd, it is easy to miss folks so feel free to email or call me if you would like to find a time to get together.

I'll be participating on a panel with some very knowledgable folks to talk about "Technology Trends:  What Association Leaders Need to Know Now."  Trends will include virtualization, web tools, audience segmentation and engagement, merging Internet, Extranet and Intranet sites, and more.  It is scheduled for Tuesday (2:15 - 3:30) in Room 7B (note the room change from the program).  Hope you will join us.

And those interested in "Building a Knowledge Strategy within Associations" should join that group in the Directory and learn about an informal gathering on Tuesday at 10:00 in the Social Media Lounge.

Tagged: ASAE Annual Meeting Technology Trends Knowledge Management