Member Update 2-18-25

Greetings ASAE Community,

Please find a few important updates from ASAE in the past few weeks:

ASAE Celebrates Black History Month

As we continue to celebrate Black History Month in February, we honor the profound contributions of Black leaders, past and present, who have shaped our communities, industries, and the association profession. Many Black association professionals have shared their personal stories with ASAE—reflecting on what Black History Month means to them, the people and events that have inspired their journeys, and what drives them as association leaders. We invite you to explore their insights and perspectives on our Black History Month video gallery. And we would love for you to join in the conversation by sharing your story with us as well.

Community Impact Coalition Resources

We’re excited to share that the Community Impact Coalition landing page is now live at https://www.cicoalition.org/! This will be your go-to hub for essential education and resources on the tax-exempt sector, the risks it faces in the ongoing tax reform discussions on Capitol Hill, and why our collective voice is critical in protecting it.

To help spread awareness and rally support, we’ve developed the following key resources:

  • Coalition Launch Video – Our official video is live on the landing page and YouTube. This is a great tool to post on social and help explain why this issue matters—please watch and share it.
  • Coalition Toolkit – Available for download on the landing page, this includes FAQs, an informational handout, and key messaging resources to help you discuss the coalition’s mission and mobilize support.
  • Social Media Channels – Engagement is critical to expanding our reach. Follow and tag us on:

This coalition exists to protect the tax-exempt sector—its services, jobs, and the communities that rely on it. We encourage you to use these resources to advocate effectively and share this effort with your network. More updates to come—stay engaged and help us spread the word!

ASAE Research Foundation’s New AMC Leaders Scholarship

The ASAE Research Foundation recently announced the launch of the AMC Leaders Scholarship, a new initiative aimed at supporting association professionals working within association management companies (AMCs). This scholarship is designed to meet the unique needs of AMCs while fostering meaningful connections and professional development opportunities through ASAE.

The AMC Leaders Scholarship is made possible through a generous donation from ASAE Immediate Past Chair Lynda Bouchard Patterson, FASAE, CAE, founder and CEO of AMPED Association Management and founder of Association CEO. Patterson approached the ASAE Research Foundation with the vision of developing a scholarship program that would directly impact the AMC community. All of us at ASAE are very grateful for Lynda’s unwavering support and dedication to ASAE and the AMC community. For more information about the scholarship, including application details and deadlines, please visit the AMC Leaders Scholarship page or contact ASAEFoundation@asaecenter.org.

Association Coalition for AI to Meet March 5

ASAE’s Association Coalition for AI will hold its first quarterly meeting of 2025 on March 5 at 2 p.m. ET at ASAE HQ in Washington, DC. The coalition, comprised of trade and professional association CEOs, was formed last year to advance the understanding, adoption and responsible implementation of AI technologies within the association community. The coalition is chaired by Jason Oxman, president and CEO of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).

The March 5 ACAI meeting will focus on the Trump administration’s early prioritization of policies that promote AI innovation, as well as how third-party technology providers are helping associations responsibly harness AI technologies to advance their missions.

If you are interested in the ACAI or have suggestions on topics you would like to see the ACAI address, please contact Chris Vest at cvest@asaecenter.org.

Navigating New Executive Orders on DEI

ASAE’s highly anticipated webinar, "Navigating the Impact on Associations from New Executive Orders," took place earlier this week. Craig J. Saperstein, and Julia J. Judish from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, along with moderator Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CEO of the American Epilepsy Society, conducted an in-depth discussion on the recent executive orders issued by the Trump administration and their potential effects on associations. While the webinar was not recorded in order to allow for a candid discussion, ASAE remains committed to keeping our members informed with relevant updates as developments unfold. For a deeper dive, Pillsbury has prepared a client alert analyzing the January 21 Executive Order on DEI.

Earlier today, ASAE also held our first Critical Conversations Open Forum moderated by Sheri Sesay-Tuffour, the CEO of the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and the Secretary-Treasurer of the ASAE Board of Directors. This is the first in what we hope will be a series of open and constructive discussions where our community can come together in a safe space, share insights, and learn from one another.

Congratulations, New CAEs!

Congratulations to the 135 association executives who recently earned their Certified Association Executive (CAE®) credential from the CAE Commission of ASAE, joining more than 4,500 industry leaders around the globe.

The Winter 2024 class of CAEs successfully completed the CAE examination administered worldwide December 1-14, 2024. They will be honored, along with the May 2025 class of CAEs, during the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Los Angeles, CA, August 9-12, 2025. A full list of the Winter 2024 class, which includes a growing contingent of global association professionals, can be found in the ASAE press release.

 

Save the Date for Upcoming ASAE Programs

As always, thank you for your engagement with ASAE and please reach out with any questions.

Warm regards,

Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE

President and CEO