Posts by Sherry Budziak
Your Members Are Changing. Are You?
What worked five years ago isn’t broken. It’s just irrelevant. Too many associations are still pouring energy into programs and engagement strategies that no longer resonate. Why? Because they’re basing decisions on assumptions—about what members want, how they engage, and what drives value. But here’s the real challenge: changing member expectations are moving faster than most associations can adapt. Are You Listening—or Guessing? Let’s be honest:…
Read MoreDigital Strategy Is Not a Side Hustle
You can’t fix a broken business model with better software. But that’s what many associations are trying to do—layering tools onto outdated thinking and calling it transformation. If your integrated digital strategy is a bullet point on your strategic plan—or worse, something the IT team handles while the rest of the organization “focuses on the mission”—you’ve already lost ground. Because here’s the truth: Digital…
Read MoreAI is Reshaping Associations—Are You Ready to Reskill Your Workforce?
Artificial intelligence is no longer optional. It’s not just a tool—it’s the force reshaping how we operate, deliver value, and remain relevant. For associations, the real risk isn’t that AI will eliminate jobs. It’s that your team won’t be prepared for the new ones unless you begin reskilling your workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly changing digital era. To thrive in the era of Association…
Read MoreWhen Everything Feels Urgent, Nothing Moves Forward
How .orgSource Helped One Association Stop Spinning and Start Leading. We were called in by an association that looked great from the outside. Smart, passionate staff. Solid technology. A strong mission and a committed member base. But under the surface, things were unraveling fast. The problem? Focus. They couldn’t hold it. Every week brought a…
Read MoreScenario Planning Isn’t Optional Anymore
The only certainty now is uncertainty—here’s how to prepare your organization for anything The last few years have taught us something we can’t ignore: Yet far too many association strategies are still built around assumptions. Assumptions about: Here’s the hard truth: If your strategy can’t flex, it will fail. That’s why scenario planning should be a…
Read MoreNavigating Uncertainty and Change: Solutions Day 2025 Takeaways
In a time of rapid disruption and complexity, association leaders gathered at Solutions Day 2025 to explore the big question on everyone’s mind: how do we stay focused, forward-thinking, and human-centered while navigating uncertainty and change? Held in Schaumburg, IL and streamed virtually through BeSpeake, this year’s event challenged attendees to rethink long-standing assumptions about…
Read MoreYour Culture Won’t Change Until Your People Do
Why digital transformation starts with mindset, not software You upgraded your AMS. You rolled out a new LMS. Maybe you even launched a shiny AI chatbot. And yet… Collaboration still stalls. Departments are siloed. Your team is “digitally enabled” but mentally stuck in 2013. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: You don’t have a tech problem. You have a culture problem. Digital Transformation Starts…
Read MoreYou’re Not Understaffed—You’re Operationally Inefficient
Why fixing your workflows matters more than hiring more people “We just don’t have enough people.” That’s the default explanation when… But what if that’s not actually the problem? What if your team does have the time—it’s just buried under layers of outdated processes, siloed systems, and workarounds that no one questions anymore? At .orgSource,…
Read MoreWhy a Technology Assessment Is the First Step to Your Future-Ready Roadmap
For many associations, it feels like a never-ending checklist: new AMS? Check. Website redesign? Check. Virtual conference platform? Check. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: having tools is not the same as having a strategy. The first real step toward clarity is a future ready technology assessment — a process that uncovers what’s working, what’s outdated,…
Read MoreAligning Culture, Strategy, and Technology: The Unstoppable Force Your Association Needs
Everyone loves to talk about strategy. We obsess over new technologies. And we proudly claim to have “a great culture.” But here’s the truth no one wants to admit: without the alignment of culture, strategy and technology, none of these elements matter. Without alignment, none of these elements matter. When strategy, culture, and technology operate…
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