Association Edge is your go-to podcast for practical tips on board leadership, governance, and association management. From best practices for running effective boards to strategies for membership growth, events, and engagement, we share simple, actionable advice that helps associations thrive. Whether you’re a board member, nonprofit leader, or volunteer, you’ll find tools and insights to save time, strengthen connections, and lead with confidence.
Season 2 Episode 7: What Associations Still Get Right, with Stuart Binstock
Relationships are the product. Everything else is just delivery.
Stuart Binstock spent more than a decade as President & CEO of CFMA, with earlier stops at AGC, AIA and NECA. He's retired now, which means he'll tell you what he really thinks.
Kelly and Jamie asked what has actually changed in the association world, and what hasn't. His answer to the second half was short. Associations have always been about relationships. They still are.
Inside: why in-person connection matters more when software screens resumes first, why too many association pros never learn the industry they serve, how one unplanned article built the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and what a volunteer pipeline needs beyond good intentions.
23 Jun 2026
Season 2 Episode 6: Life Stage, Not Just Age: Engaging Members Across Generations
What if the key to deeper member engagement isn't knowing what generation someone belongs to — but understanding where they are in life? In this episode of Association Edge, Kelly and Jamie sit down with Kamber Parker Bowden of Generational Performance Solutions to explore how associations can move beyond generational labels and start meeting members at their actual life stage. Whether you're rethinking your membership value proposition or looking for fresh ways to connect with members across the age spectrum, this conversation is packed with practical perspective.
Connect with Kamber:
Website: genperformance.com (http://genperformance.com)
Email: kamber@genperformance.com (mailto:kamber@genperformance.com)
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/generational-performance-solutions (http://linkedin.com/company/generational-performance-solutions)
Instagram: @genperformancegps
YouTube: @genperformancegps
Facebook: facebook.com/generationalperformancesolutions (http://facebook.com/generationalperformancesolutions)
5 May 2026
Season 2 Episode 5: From Campus to Career: Recruiting the Next Generation with Hernan Guerra
Join Kelly and Jamie as we chat with Hernan Guerra. The conversation includes the strategic career planning of the current generation, their approach to employee retention, the role of associations in training and networking, and the importance of mentorship and student engagement. He also explores the relationship between associations and social media, the interests and benefits of Gen Y in associations, and the strategies for ongoing participation and adaptation. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about college memories.
Takeaways
Strategic career planning of the current generation
Importance of mentorship and student engagement
28 Apr 2026
Season 2 Episode 4: Why Get Involved with Association with Melissa and Eric Lesch
Join Kelly and Jamie as they have a conversation with Melissa and Eric Lesch. As longtime members of several associations, Melissa and Eric discuss their involvement in associations, favorite aspects of associations and communication challenges, emphasizing the importance of personalized engagement and member retention. The conversation delves into association management, communication, and engagement strategies, emphasizing the importance of effective reporting, volunteer-driven vs. staff-driven associations, ideal member participation, networking events, and innovative strategies for enhancing member interaction. Additionally, it explores the differences in association membership types and the challenges they present.
Takeaways
Volunteering in associations requires time management and juggling multiple memberships.
Personalized communication and engagement are key to member retention and satisfaction. Association management and communication
Balancing information overload with board members' needs
17 Feb 2026
Season 2 Episode 3: Board Succession Planning: The conversations no one wants to have
Board turnover shouldn't be a crisis—or a conflict. Join Kelly Dando Consulting for an honest conversation about one of governance's toughest challenges: leadership transition. From handling founder's syndrome to implementing term limits without hurt feelings, we'll tackle the real scenarios that keep board liaisons up at night.
10 Feb 2026
Season 2 Episode 2: Why some chapters thrive and others barely survive with the same resources
Ever wonder why two chapters with the same budget, same national resources, and same member base can have wildly different outcomes? Spoiler: it's not about the money. In this episode, we're breaking down what separates a working board from a strategic board — and why the chapters that thrive are the ones willing to ditch "we've always done it this way" and start experimenting. If your chapter feels stuck in a rut, this one's for you.
3 Feb 2026
Season 2 Episode 1: Annual Reporting - The Value of Looking at Your Organization's Historical Data
The conversation delves into the value of annual reporting and historical data for associations, emphasizing the importance of tracking metrics, board attendance, and financial red flags. It also explores the utilization of data for action, recognition, and decision-making, along with generational perspectives on recognition and awards. The discussion highlights the role of strategic planning and the competitive nature of associations, concluding with a mention of the upcoming podcast schedule and its connection to strategic planning.
Takeaways
Attendance and participation are key metrics for associations
Board attendance and enthusiasm are important for the success of an organization
9 Dec 2025
Episode 11: Celebrating Wins in 2025
In this week’s episode of Team Talk Tuesday, Kelly, Jamie, and Emily come together to celebrate the standout wins that shaped 2025 for Kelly Dando Consulting. From major client successes to internal breakthroughs, the team reflects on the growth, momentum, and meaningful impact created across the year. They share candid insights, favorite moments, and the milestones that made 2025 one of the most transformative years yet. Tune in for a heartwarming and energizing conversation that highlights the power of collaboration, clarity, and doing great work—together.
2 Dec 2025
Episode 10: Fees & Dues
In this week’s episode of Team Talks Tuesday, the Kelly Dando Consulting team dives into one of the most common questions associations face: How do we set fair, sustainable fees and price our events effectively?
We break down the real costs behind delivering member value, explore how pricing impacts engagement, and share practical strategies for balancing accessibility with financial health. Whether you’re re-evaluating your membership tiers, planning your next conference, or simply curious about what drives pricing decisions, this episode offers clear insights and actionable takeaways.
Tune in to learn how thoughtful pricing can strengthen your association, support your mission, and create better experiences for members.
25 Nov 2025
Episode 9: Email Marketing
In this week’s Team Talks Tuesday episode, the Kelly Dando Consulting crew dives into one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools in your marketing toolkit: email marketing. 💌
Kelly and the team break down what actually makes an email worth opening—from subject lines that stand out in a crowded inbox, to content that feels personal instead of “salesy.” They talk through how often you really need to email your list, why segmentation matters, and simple automations that save you time while building stronger relationships with your audience.
Whether you’re just getting started with a list or you’ve been sending newsletters for years, this episode gives you practical, doable ideas you can implement right away—no fancy software or giant marketing team required. Tune in to learn how to turn your emails into a consistent, reliable driver of connection, credibility, and clients.
18 Nov 2025
Episode 8: Conference Trends
Join us for Tuesday Teams Talks with the Kelly Dando Consulting crew—Kelly, Jamie, Emily, and this week’s special guest, Dawn, who manages all of our conferences and events. Each session offers a quick, insightful look into what’s happening across the team, helpful updates, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from the people who keep our operations running smoothly. Don’t miss it!
11 Nov 2025
Episode 7: Social Media
Join Kelly, Jamie, Emily, and our social media manager, Kelley, for an engaging discussion on navigating the ever-changing world of social media. In this episode, the team dives into current trends, effective strategies, and practical tips for managing social media for associations and clients. Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, refine your content strategy, or stay ahead of the latest digital trends, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
www.kellydando.com (www.kellydando.com)
4 Nov 2025
Episode 6: Event Trends
Join Kelly, Emily, Jamie, Natalie, and Brenda for this week’s Team Talks Tuesday! We dive into the latest event trends shaping 2025, from creative attendee engagement and tech innovations to evolving sponsorship models and sustainable practices.
Whether you’re a board member, volunteer, or association professional, this conversation is full of practical insights and fresh ideas to help you elevate your next event.
28 Oct 2025
Episode 5: Exploring Non-Dues Revenue
In this episode of Team Talks Tuesday, Kelly, Jamie, and Emily dive into creative and practical ways associations can generate revenue beyond membership dues. From sponsorships and events to digital advertising, educational programs, and affinity partnerships, the team breaks down what works and what to avoid when diversifying your revenue streams.
💡 Learn how to align your non-dues initiatives with your mission, engage members in value-driven opportunities, and create sustainable funding models that strengthen your association’s financial health.
Whether you’re a volunteer leader, executive director, or board member, this 12-minute conversation offers actionable strategies to grow your association’s impact — without raising dues.
21 Oct 2025
Episode 4: Serving on a Board: Insights from Experience with Melvin Schneider
In this episode of Association Edge, Kelly and Jamie sit down with Melvin Schneider, CFO of Clement Building Company and long-time CFMA leader, for a candid conversation about what it really means to serve on a board.
Melvin shares practical advice from his years of experience across local and national associations — from understanding expectations before you join, to managing time commitments, navigating board transitions, and balancing tradition with innovation. He also reflects on leadership lessons learned during his presidency, including how to make decisions efficiently and foster a healthy, proactive board culture.
This episode offers actionable insights for both new and seasoned board members — with humor, honesty, and a few unforgettable LSU stories along the way.
Guest: Melvin Schneider, CFO, Clement Building Company
Hosts: Kelly Dando & Jamie Gensheimer, Kelly Dando Consulting
14 Oct 2025
Episode 3: Building a Strong Volunteer Pipeline
In this episode of Team Talks Tuesday, Kelly, Jamie, and Emily dive into one of the biggest challenges for associations — recruiting and keeping great volunteers. The trio discusses practical, real-world strategies for attracting new volunteers, engaging them early, and keeping them excited to serve.
From personal outreach versus online sign-ups to mentorship programs, appreciation efforts, and creative ways to “sell” committees, this episode is packed with actionable ideas for strengthening your volunteer pipeline and board succession planning.
Whether your association is struggling to fill committee seats or looking to energize long-time volunteers, this 12-minute conversation offers simple, proven tactics that work.
🎯 Key Takeaways:
Why personal invitations outperform online volunteer forms
How to make committees appealing and approachable
Practical ideas for welcoming new members and encouraging involvement
How board culture directly impacts volunteer engagement
🎙️ Hosted by Kelly Dando, Jamie Gensheimer, and Emily Brett
7 Oct 2025
Episode 2: Association Technology
Learn which technologies help us streamline association management!
In this video, we share the platforms and tools our team finds most effective for managing associations and supporting Boards. You’ll hear practical insights, real examples, and suggestions based on our day-to-day experience.
Disclaimer: We do not have any paid partnerships or affiliations with the brands mentioned. This video reflects our independent opinions and experiences—not official endorsements.
Here is a link to technology we reference: https://kellydando.com/collaboration-portal/ (https://kellydando.com/collaboration-portal/)
30 Sept 2025
Board Tips Episode 1
Hear our suggestions for setting up your Board for success.
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