ASSOCIATION BASICS: A Course to Boost Your Effectiveness as an Association Professional

Essential Training for Association Professionals & Partners

Working for in the association industry provides meaningful, mission-driven career opportunities—especially within the scientific and engineering fields where organizations advance knowledge, research, and global progress. Success in this environment often requires a specialized understanding of how STEM associations uniquely operate: their governance models, expert volunteer committees, ethical frameworks, and mission-driven cultures.

CESSE’s Association Basics course delivers this context. It is the only foundational training designed specifically for professionals working in or alongside scientific, technology, engineering, and mathematical societies, providing them with the core knowledge they need to understand an association’s purpose, structure, and impact potential.

This two-day virtual course is designed for both seasoned association professionals and those new to the industry, and is especially valuable for onboarding staff who are entering the scientific and engineering association world for the first time. Whether participants are just starting out or looking to sharpen their skills, this training offers practical tools and insights they can apply immediately.

Content for this course is generously provided by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Registration Information

Meet the Course Facilitators

What Previous Attendees are Saying

“The CESSE Association Basics course provided a holistic view of the Association world. The course was informative and broke down all components of Associations, from the people (the Board, staff, stakeholders, and members) to functions (business models, governance, and fiduciary responsibilities).”

Alysoun Park, Learning Programs Coordinator at Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

“(The) Association Basics training was informative, engaging and fun! I appreciated the breakout sessions because we were able to speak about our shared experiences while also adding our own perspectives.”

Brian Smith, MS, Marketing Specialist at ABET

"I found CESSE’s Association Basics to be engaging and thought-provoking. Having a better understanding of nonprofit/not-for-profits as a whole will better allow me to contribute to my organization’s mission and margin”

Christine Giuliani OnePetro Administrator, Multimedia and Publishing at Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

Program Details

association professionals at this educational event

The Association Basics course is delivered in two 4.5-hour Zoom sessions. Attendees participate in breakout rooms and use a workbook to engage with other professionals serving STEM-focused associations. The training is facilitated by seasoned leaders within the CESSE community, offering insights grounded in real-world scientific society operations.

Participants will earn 8 CAE credits, and CESSE is also a CMP Preferred Provider.

As a result of this virtual training, Attendees will be able to:

List the unique features of non-profits and associations compared to other types of companies.
Describe the mission and purpose of your association.
Evaluate the life cycle and ownership of associations.
Describe and analyze an association's core programs, products, and services.
Explain the need to find a balance between “margin” and “mission.”
Explain the volunteer governance structure of an association board and its supporting committees.
Describe the types of membership, benefits, member engagement, and membership structure.

Identify effective techniques for supporting and working with volunteers and their committees.

Upcoming Sessions

march Session

May Session

Day One: Tuesday, March 24 | 10am - 2:30pm ET

Day Two: Wednesday, March 25 | 10am - 2:30pm ET

Registration Opening Soon

Day One: Tuesday, May 19 | 10am - 2:30pm ET

Day Two: Wednesday, May 20 | 10am - 2:30pm ET

Registration Opening Soon

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Space is Limited

If you’re new to the association world, don’t miss this opportunity to learn the ins and outs of working for an association. Once registration has closed, we will open a waitlist. If you have any questions, please email our team at [email protected].