Boost Your Effectiveness as an Association Professional
Essential Training for All Association Professionals
Given their unique, mission-driven nature and structure, working for an association can be exciting, rewarding, yet challenging and frustrating at times. If you are looking to improve your effectiveness as an association employee or partner, investing time to deepen your understanding of the composition, legal status, governance structure, and core activities of an association begins with the Associations Basics training.
“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
Society of Women Enginners (SWE)
Upcoming Sessions
March 2025 Session
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May 2025 Session
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Day 1 | March 25, 2025 | 12pm - 4pm ET
Day 2 | March 26, 2025 | 10am - 2pm ET
Early Bird Deadline: March 3, 2025
Registration is FULL
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Day 1 | May 7, 2025 | 12pm - 4pm ET
Day 2 | May 8, 2025 | 10am - 2pm ET
Early Bird Deadline: April 7, 2025
Registration is FULL
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Program Details and Cost

The Association Basics training is delivered in two 4-hour Zoom sessions. Attendees participate in breakout rooms and use a workbook to engage and discuss topics with other association professionals. The training is led by experienced association professionals in the CESSE community.
- Early Bird Rate: $195
- Regular Rate: $225
Meet the Course Facilitators
“This course was extremely helpful because it helped me learn and understand how my association works from the board members duties, staff management, budget allocation and overall business strategy. As an associate, I’ll now be able to look at all the programs that I manage, and conduct the margin vs. mission activity so I know how valuable my programs are to the organization and be able to predict shifts in the future in terms of strategy and finances. Long term, this will help me prepare for future leadership roles.”
Camila Rico, Senior Marketing Specialist
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
As a result of this virtual training, you 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.
- 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.
- List the types of membership, benefits, and member engagement.
- Describe how local sections and chapters operate.
- Identify effective techniques for supporting and working with volunteers and their committees.
Space is Limited
If you’re new to the association world, don’t miss this new CESSE training 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 Member Services at [email protected].
Certified Association Executive (CAE) Credits
As a result of attending, participants will receive 8 CAE credits. Content developed and generously offered to CESSE members by the Association for Materials Protection and Performance.
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