5 Things You Should Know This Month at CSAE

5 Things You Should Know is CSAE’s new monthly video series created exclusively to keep you in the loop. In just a few minutes, you’ll get a snapshot of five key things happening at CSAE this month, from upcoming events and programs to resources and opportunities designed to support your work and leadership.

Make a Resolution to Grow – Winter Term Begins Jan 12

Registration is now open for the Winter 2026 term of professional learning courses (Jan 12 – Apr 6)! Whether you want to earn the full CAE designation or take individual courses with micro-credentials, our flexible, fully online format lets you learn on your own schedule. **Please Note** - If you're currently enrolled on the Original Program, the Winter Term is your last opportunity to register for CAE 300 – Association Operations.

CSAE Tête‑à‑Tête 2026 – Attendee Registration Open January 21

February 25
EY Centre, Ottawa

We’re thrilled to announce that exhibitor booths for CSAE Tête‑à‑Tête 2026 are officially sold out! Thank you to all organizations that secured a spot — your support helps make this Canada’s premier association and not‑for‑profit networking event. Attendee registration opens on January 21 – don't miss out!

Unlock the Power of Connections with Associations Connect

The Associations Connect platform is where meaningful connections happen. Members are discovering career-changing opportunities, sharing insights that elevate leadership, and building a supportive community that drives innovation. Join today and see how connecting with peers can strengthen your association and your professional journey.

Be Part of the CSAE Community

Being part of a like-minded community has never been more important, as we stand stronger together. CSAE membership has many benefits, including access to exclusive member-only content, discounts on in-person events and the ability to work towards the professionally recognized CAE designation.

Growing membership takes more than one-off campaigns. This blog, by Jeff Hanlan, shows how associations can use data, clear value propositions, and optimized join journeys to turn recruitment into a repeatable, scalable growth system using the ROAR Method™. Check it out!

By Lori Prospero, CAE

Strategic plans outline where an association wants to go—but the future rarely follows the script. Every objective faces uncertainty, and that uncertainty is risk. Recognizing and managing it is essential for real strategic success.

Explore content on the key competencies of governance, organizational direction, leading people, operations and value to membership:

Employers...
Leverage CSAE’s relationship with over 15,000 association executives to fill your next position. Post your job to AssociationJobs.ca now! CSAE members save 40%.

Job Seekers...
Interested in finding the latest career opportunities in the association sector? Click here to find the most recent postings, such as:

Title: Program Manager
Organization: Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA)
Location: Ottawa (City), Ontario
Get more details

Title: Executive Director
Organization: Manitoba Association of Architects
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Get more details

Title: Chief Executive Officer & Registrar
Organization: Architectural Institute of British Columbia 
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Get more details

January Marketplace Spotlight — Wicket

January 13, 12:00–12:30 PM ET

Join us for a quick, free live demo featuring Wicket, the world’s first Member Data Platform designed for associations. See how modern member data management can break down silos, unify insights, and support smarter engagement across your tech stack.

Offered by:

 
Webinar: How to Improve Employee Wellbeing and Engagement
January 15, 12:00 PM ET
Online - Free

In this actionable session, The Benefit Code demystifies the drivers of employee health and shows you how to turn your plan into a proactive wellbeing engine one that boosts utilization, improves outcomes, and strengthens culture within your existing plan.

Brought to you by:

Resources: Discover the Member Engagement Guide

Keeping members engaged is essential for your association’s long-term growth, but it’s getting harder with shifting demographics and rising competition. In this guide, uncover strategies on building effective learning programs for members with real-world examples from the International Municipal Signal Association, (ISC)2, Canadian Marketing Association and the Irish Deaf Society.

Offered by:

How to Write Job Descriptions That Attract the Right Candidates
When job descriptions are unclear or overloaded, strong candidates move on. When they are focused and well-structured, they help organizations attract people who understand the role and see themselves succeeding in it. 
Association Adviser

Why Your People Can Use a “Year in Review”
Spotify’s popular year-end Wrapped has lessons for associations—track data, celebrate wins, give people reasons to stay engaged.
Associations Now

The Sourcing Scramble is Now the Status Quo
For meeting planners, 2026 promises continued condensed booking windows and last-minute sourcing decisions as planners grapple with budgetary and geopolitical uncertainty.
Skift Meetings

Even if you’re not using AI – or aren’t sure it’s right for your organization – your peers likely are. The CSAE–Bramm Research Generative AI Survey Report reveals how Canadian associations are experimenting with AI, the benefits they’re seeing, and the risks they’re managing. See real adoption rates, common use cases, and policy approaches so you can make informed decisions about your next steps.

This interactive guide introduces associations, their role in society, and common types. It also covers the structure of Canadian associations, detailing the roles and duties of the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers. With detailed explanations, case studies, and examples, “Intro to Associations” is an essential resource for professionals and volunteers new to the association world.

Other publications:

Guide to Better Meetings for Directors of Non-Profit Organizations

Benchmarking and Best Practices for Associations

Guide to Positive Staff-Board Relations for Directors of Non-Profit Organizations - 4th Edition

Media Relations for Canadian Associations: How to Be the Voice of Your Members in the Media

Guide to Effective Committees for Directors of Not-For-Profit Organizations, Third Edition

Stuff Happens... But you can sleep at night by making your association reputation resilient

Succession Planning: Succeeding at Succession Planning

Government Relations for Canadian Associations: How to be the Voice of Your Members with Government

Road to Relevance: 5 Strategies for Competitive Associations

What Makes an Effective Association: Benchmarking for Performance

CSAE's partners are best-in-class companies that deliver quality products and/or services to the association sector.