Chapter and Membership Advisory Council (CMAC)

  • 1.  WEC 2026 Chapter Leader Lounge suggestion thread

    Posted 4 days ago

    Hello 2026 CMAC!

    As mentioned during our call today, FACT will be sourcing speakers and topics for the Chapter Leader Lounge sessions at WEC.  Let's use this thread to share ideas on topics and/or speakers.

    Let me start the ideas... Back in October i met with Hardy who pitched the following sessions to me.  Sharing his contact info and the ideas he shared. 

    Speaker: Hardy Smith, IOM, 

    Author, Stop The Nonprofit Board Blame Game

    I work with nonprofits & associations who want to benefit from fully engaged boards

    386-451-0652

    Website: www.HardySmith.com 

    Creating Success for Chapter Leaders

    This session will emphasize

    1.     Why working with a plan is critical for chapter success

    2.     How to recruit and develop future chapter leaders

    3.     How to create a positive member experience

    Communicating Effectively for Chapter Leaders

    1.     Chapter leaders attending this session will:

    2.     Develop awareness of why communicating effectively is important

    3.     Gain understanding of communication preferences

    4.     Get tips and techniques for effective communications

    5.     Benefit from learning about communication mistakes to avoid

     Requested topics for possible series of webinars related to conflict resolution

    1.     Why conflict happens in volunteer organizations

    2.     When can conflict be used to create productive engagement among board members

    3.     Resolving conflict among board members

    4.     The board's role in mitigating conflict



    ------------------------------
    Timothy A. Gunn
    Vice President of Community
    Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
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  • 2.  RE: WEC 2026 Chapter Leader Lounge suggestion thread

    Posted 2 days ago
    Tim,
    I met Hardy at a conference (I think it was WEC!) several years ago - he does have great ideas.

    In looking at what's been done in the past, the number of sessions held varies and the challenge is often having to choose between chapter leader sessions and other educational offerings.  Based on the WEC agenda, the 8am sessions on Wed & Thurs are before GS so nothing is scheduled, so those would definitely be good slots to use. Wed lunch session could be a good choice - the challenge would be that leaders would need to grab lunch and get to the meeting space (not sure what the venue setup is).

    Hardy's topics are all good - is he presenting any other sessions? If my memory serves, we don't usually bring in outside paid speakers for these sessions - we usually have CMAC members or facilitators lead these sessions as they have intimate knowledge of MPI-specific challenges.

    Just helping get the ball rolling here!

    Thanks,
    Carolyn

    Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM, HMCC
    Owner & Chief Solution Strategist |     
    203-240-1633

    Schedule time with me! https://calendly.com/crb/30min

    Upcoming OOO:






    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: WEC 2026 Chapter Leader Lounge suggestion thread

    Posted 2 days ago

    Yes!  Planning additional opportunities on top of the concurrent sessions always is a challenge that is nearly impossible to overcome.  Last year we held sessions during 30 minute breaks or during networking times which also presented some challenges.

    Using external speakers is possible but presents some challenges when they need to be registered for WEC in order to host a Chapter Leader Sessions.  Let's not rule anything out but know you have options.  Hardy is merely a suggestion to consider.



    ------------------------------
    Timothy A. Gunn
    Vice President of Community
    Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: WEC 2026 Chapter Leader Lounge suggestion thread

    Posted 2 days ago
    I will survey the facilitators to see who is planning to attend WEC and wanting to present. Between the facilitators, myself and other CMAC members, we should have the Leaders Lounge covered.

    Thanks!

    Molly



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: WEC 2026 Chapter Leader Lounge suggestion thread

    Posted yesterday

    Hi Tim,

    I share these ideas with Molly and Patrick.

    Transition - The results of Chapter & Policy work from CMAC
    Conflict Resolution - Melissa and I did it last year but its always needed.
    Volunteer Recruitment
    Committee Management - How to engage a committee for maximum results?
    How to build a strong board by design - Strength based, delegators only etc...
    AI for the Chapter Leader - Tools to make board member and committee chairs lives easier?
    I know we want the best education for our chapter leaders but I don't think it would be fair to compensate a presenter from outside the facilitators or committee as they get no compensation and are the content creators as well as presenters.  Just my 2-cents.
    Look forward to more ideas.


    ------------------------------
    Tara Liaschenko
    Creative Executive Officer
    The Link Event Professionals, Inc.
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    Original Message


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