Shared Interest Groups (SIGs)™

Shared Interest Groups

Join a SIG

Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are included with your membership and provide a no-pressure environment to learn from and network with like-minded peers in your community. There are 14 different SIGs, each meeting twice a year. Join one or all of them to maximize your learning and networking potential.

Don’t forget to bring a friend! Non-members can attend one complimentary event before becoming a member of Association Forum.


Check out the calendar of events for a complete listing of SIG meetings.


List of SIGs

Association Management Companies Professionals

This SIG provides an opportunity to meet, learn and share ideas with members who are actively involved or work at an Association Management Company. The goal of the SIG is to keep members informed of current developments and issues specifically related to Association Management Companies. Topics may vary.

Chair
Laura Vera, MSW, LSW, LSSGB

Vice Chair
Katie Callahan-Giobbi

View SIG Events


Communications

This SIG focuses on the idea-sharing and networking of those involved in communication activities at their associations to keep them informed of current developments and issues. This includes publications, public relations, media relations, advertising, marketing, and other related areas.

Chair


Vice Chair
Kim FitzSimmons, MBA, CAE

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Component Relations

This SIG deals with information and idea sharing around the management of any affiliated or independent unit of a bigger organization. The names for these units vary from association to association. Some common ones are chapters, branches, special-interest groups, divisions, practice specialties or even the division of international, national, regional, state and local subsidiaries of the same association.

Chair
Allison Read

Vice Chair
Britney Conway


Educational Program Development

This SIG provides members with information on the development and management of curriculum in continuing education, training, professional development and/or staff training for their organization.

Chair
Jennifer Wahl

Vice Chair
Tejuana (TJ) Baskerville

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Finance

This SIG focuses on a variety of issues related to association finance. CFOs, directors, managers of finance and others with accountability for financial issues are welcome.

Chair
Ania Drechsler, CAE

Vice Chair

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Fundraising and Development

This SIG’s discussions will concentrate on independent foundations, subsidiary foundations and relations with parent associations and the place of development within them. Topics may include: engaging the non-profit board; foundation and fundraising resources; research and proposal preparation; and corporate and foundation relations to name just a few. Learn the varied methods and techniques necessary for successful fundraising.

Chair
Jacqueline Jambrone

Vice Chair

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Governance

This SIG is for individuals involved in governance activities who want to share ideas and network with others in this field. Meeting topics focus on a variety of issues related to association governance like elections, committee appointment process, by laws, and referendums. Board policies and procedures, board relations and affairs, and board minutes are also covered by this group.

Chair
Mike Norbut, MSJ, MBA

Vice Chair
Kimberly Kocian, MBA, CAE, CMP

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Information Technology

The purpose of this SIG is that of support, communication, expanding the knowledge base, sharing, and using online communication to add value to the services of our associations and ultimately to benefit members.

Chair
Christopher Maynard

Vice Chair
Rebecca Headrick

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Marketing

The Marketing SIG provides an exchange of ideas and effective practices for marketing professionals in all types of membership organizations. Expert speakers, as well as Marketing SIG members, share effective practices in marketing and research methods for all association activities and programs, including member retention and recruitment, event and education program marketing, publication sales, dues renewals, and advertising, sponsorship and exhibit space sales, and other related areas.

Chair


Vice Chair
Kim FitzSimmons, MBA, CAE

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Meeting Professionals

This SIG explores the many areas of association meeting management from logistics to site selection, international meetings, technology, the law, and much more.

Chair
Lisa Mikita, CMP, CAE

Vice Chair
Joyce Paschall, CAE, CMP, CMM

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Membership Development and Services

This SIG provides Forum members who have a membership/marketing interest with a professional support network for professional growth. It also serves as an idea laboratory for all participants.

Chair
Jay Carino, MBA, CAE

Vice Chair
Lisa Barrett

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No. 2 Executives/COOs

The No. 2 Executives/COOs SIG deals with the myriad issues facing chief operating officers and No. 2 executives in associations. Some topics are related to functional areas of associations and others to the unique nature of being second in command. Membership is only open to association No. 2 executives, COOs, CFOs, and vice presidents. Pre-approval is required.

Chair
Bridget Walsh

Vice Chair
Zack Wahlquist, CAE

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Public Policy and Advocacy

This SIG provides an opportunity to meet, learn and share ideas with people who are actively involved in government relations, public policy and advocacy. Topics may include; trends, lobbying rules and regulations, technologies for grassroots mobilization, communication efforts, policy development and management and more.

Chair
Sharon Smith-Terry, CDM, MBA

Vice Chair
Kristin Hellquist, CAE

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Young Professionals

The Young Professionals SIG is designed for association professionals under the age of 35 looking to meet with peers to share experiences, learn more about the association industry, and network in a fun, social environment. The purpose of the SIG is to help young association professionals establish contacts and develop leadership skills to succeed in the association industry.

The SIG meets to discuss topics relevant to members' career and personal development needs, interspersed with social events.

Chair
Cassie Buchanan, MBA, SHRM-CP

Vice Chair
Maggie Voves

View SIG Events


Staff Contact

Director of Membership & Marketing
membership@associationforum.org


Shared Interest Group Chair or Vice-Chair

This Position:

  • Works with SIG vice-chair to plan SIG events (minimum of two SIG Summits per year).

  • Works with staff to promote the events and encourage participation.

  • Assists in identifying a successor.

This Position is Recommended for:

  • Active participants in a SIG or anyone interested in further developing the activity of a SIG.

  • Members who are passionate about a particular interest area and in sharing experiences with colleagues.

  • Members who would like to further develop their leadership skills and be recognized as a leader in their area of interest.

Time Commitment:

  • Mandatory participation in SIG Summit planning meetings as assigned.

  • Participation in leadership calls.

  • Coordination of a minimum of two SIG Summits per fiscal year.