Good morning and happy Monday! I found a few great presentations to share entitled Social Media 201 and Social Media 301. Although they’re directed toward the Junior League, I think many small staff associations would find this information useful as well.

And don’t forget to check out our own PDF on social media for small staff associations: Beyond the Big Three.

So, if you went to ASAE’s Annual Meeting and Expo in Los Angeles last year (or if you read this blog back in August), you might remember that we were fortunate enough to host the Small Staff Association Reception. Well, we’re gearing up for this year’s Annual Meeting in St. Louis already, and we’re honored to be the sole sponsor of the event once again!

The Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of association professionals from across the U.S., and offers education, networking sessions and opportunities to meet with business solution providers.

“This is our second year hosting this event, and it’s a natural fit for us,”  MemberClicks President Thomas Howard said. “We continue to build our company around the needs of small-staff associations, and this is an excellent opportunity to interact with and learn from them.”

The 2010 reception in LA was the largest such reception at the annual ASAE meeting, allowing hundreds of small-staff professionals to network, socialize and exchange ideas.

Of course, we’ll also have team members at the expo in Booth 319 and we’ll be available for private appointments outside of show hours. For more information about attending the Small-Staff Reception, contact MemberClicks at 800.914.2441.

Photo source: Kevin Patrick

Happy Friday! I’m currently on a much-deserved (at least, I think it’s deserved) vacation, but I couldn’t leave you guys hanging for weekend material on this fine Friday. As always, feel free to share your own personal favorite links in the comments!

1. Wes Trochlil wrote about profound change rather than incremental change (similar to his post about taking bold risks). Although it can be difficult for small staff association professionals to focus on bigger changes when they’re caught up in the day-to-day activities, it’s crucial to think about things that will push your association further in a big way.

2. In what is sure to be a classic post, Jeff Hurt discussed the signs of healthy and unhealthy associations. “Unhealthy associations avoid change as long as possible,” he writes. While every association has a lifecycle, the healthy ones routinely perform “self-examinations” and evaluate what they can be doing better. Where does your association fall in the spectrum?

3. At the Engage 365 blog, Samuel Smith asked association professionals if they are multiplying the value of their meetings. How could you give your meeting attendees three or four times the value they’re used to at meetings and conferences? How could you measure it? There’s some good food for thought here.

4. Eric Lanke wrote a great post about really listening to your members when it comes to innovating. Although innovation essentially means creating a whole new set of rules that can be hard to imagine, it’s important to listen to your members so you can empower them within the organization.

5. What are your professional learning habits? Elizabeth Engel answered that question this week at her blog. Her answers? Read voraciously, TED Talks, participate and unplug. I think the final one is often the most important, especially given how constantly plugged-in so many of us are. What are your own professional learning habits?

From everyone at MemberClicks, have a great weekend!

Are you going to ASAE’s Great Ideas Conference?

This conference is unique because it’s built purely around the idea of association professionals sharing ideas with one another. For three straight days out in Colorado, association execs will be brainstorming, getting super-creative and having lots of fun.

It can be difficult – especially for small staff association executives – to spend even a few days away from the office. However, there are a few ways you can participate in the conference without actually, physically attending. Follow the hashtag #ideas11 on Twitter. Participants will most likely be tweeting up a storm and sharing some – yes – great ideas designed to help associations like yours become more innovative. Follow the Great Ideas Conference on Twitter, as well.

Be sure to check out the Blog Roll at the Conference’s website. There are tons of great blogs that will be posting valuable information during and after the conference. Take a look at the video library. Keep checking the website for possible handouts for different Idea Labs.

If you’re going to Great Ideas, be sure to remember you colleagues who won’t be able to make it and share as much information as you can. I think ASAE has made a great effort to get everyone involved.

Do you plan to follow along with the Great Ideas Twitter stream, or read the blogs of attendees? What kind of information is most valuable as a virtual participant?

You guys have heard of Groupon and other group-buying coupon sites, right? Well, drumroll please … Philanthroper is the same thing, but with charities!

Basically, the concept is that the site works with one charity a day and tries to convince as many people as possible to donate just $1 to that particular charity.

Another interesting thing to note? Philanthroper is interested in small charities. In its own words:

[W]e’re interested in nonprofits that make $1 million or less in revenue a year who are doing something really exceptional—bringing tangible change. [...] We look at their 990s (tax returns), read whatever information is out there and actually talk to these groups to really understand their mission from their perspective.

I think the idea of helping out organizations in need and inspiring a large amount of people to contribute is admirable. The site is pretty small right now — there are currently no ads — but hopefully it will gain traction in the coming months.

Also, the site claims to “never take a cut from your donation.” They’ve partnered with myPayy, which takes just one cent out of every dollar in transactional fees and Philanthroper keeps nothing.

Would your nonprofit be interested in participating in Philanthroper?