Leadership Update

CSAE is pleased to share two leadership updates that strengthen our capacity to serve the association community. We’re delighted to welcome Chris Stocks as Director, Membership & Operations, bringing deep experience in membership strategy and operational leadership across national associations. We’re also excited to congratulate Carrie Fischer on her promotion to Director, Strategy & Engagement, a newly established role that reflects CSAE’s continued focus on long-term strategy, engagement, and sector impact.

Please join us in welcoming Chris and congratulating Carrie as we continue building a strong future for CSAE.

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.

Learn and Connect at CSAE Tête-à-Tête 2026

February 25 
EY Centre, Ottawa 

Attendee registration is now open for CSAE Tête-à-Tête 2026! This one-day event brings together association, not-for-profit, and government professionals for a powerful mix of education, insights, and connection.

Dive into sessions designed to expand your perspectives and skills — from building an inclusive culture to advancing mental health in the workplace — and leave with practical takeaways you can apply right away.

Be a CSAE Ambassador!

CSAE has launched a new volunteer leadership program for members who want to make a visible impact and help grow Canada’s association community. As an Ambassador, you’ll promote CSAE, represent the Association in your networks, and collaborate with staff on initiatives that strengthen the sector.

Why get involved? Build your influence, expand your professional network, and help colleagues discover the value of CSAE.

New! Apply Now for the 2026 CSAE Bursary

We’re excited to announce the 2026 CSAE Bursary, sponsored by Dion Strategic and CSAE Insurance Services! This professional development bursary awards $1,000 to help you pursue a single certificate course or put toward the CAE® pathway starting in September 2026. The award is open to both CSAE members and non‑members, and includes opportunities for visibility at CSAE’s signature events.

New Resource Now Available: 2026 Benefits & Compensation Report

The 2026 CSAE Benefits & Compensation Report, developed in partnership with The Portage Group, is now available. This trusted resource offers Canadian association leaders high-level insights into compensation, benefits, and total rewards trends—designed to support informed planning and governance discussions. Explore the full report to see how your organization compares.

Executive Insights: Risk Governance for Resilient Associations
March 18 | 12–1 pm ET | Online

Traditional risk management isn’t enough in today’s complex environment. Join Ming Pilz and Cameron Wilson of Watson Board Advisors for this Executive Insights webinar exploring how association boards can shift from risk management to risk governance—building resilience while supporting adaptability and long-term success. A must-attend session for CEOs, senior leaders, and directors looking to strengthen governance for what comes next.

Help Create Event Experiences

Building a program that matters to you, matters to us. Join the Program Committee for Summer Summit or the Annual Conference and help shape the schedule with your insight, ideas and expertise. To learn more about these volunteer opportunities, commitment and recognition, email Lexie Bilhete at lexie@csae.com.

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.

AI is reshaping how people search — and many associations are disappearing from the answers entirely. This blog reveals why AI-driven “zero‑click” search is threatening association authority, how it impacts member recruitment and credibility, and what organizations must do now to stay visible, trusted, and recommended.

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: President & CEO / Présidente-directrice générale ou président-directeur général (PDG)
Organization: College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Get more details

Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Organization: Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Get more details

Title: Finance and Board Operations Coordinator
Organization: Ontario Association of School Business Officials (OASBO)
Location: Aurora, Ontario
Get more details

Webinar: Small Shifts, Big Impact: Leadership Lessons from the 1% Rule
February 19, 2026 | 12PM EST 
Online - Free

High-performing leaders don’t rely on willpower alone—they manage their energy with intention. This engaging session explores how small, practical shifts can drive outsized gains in focus, resilience, and leadership effectiveness. Participants will complete a quick two-minute vitality check and leave with simple, actionable strategies they can apply immediately to elevate their own performance and create healthier, more engaged teams.

Brought to you by:

Webinar: The State of Employee Health: Trends, Costs, and Smarter Spending
March 26, 2026 | 12PM EST 
Online - Free

The employee benefits landscape is evolving rapidly, with rising costs, shifting workforce expectations, and new approaches to health and wellbeing. This session provides a clear, current view of key health and benefits trends, what they mean for employers, and where dollars are best spent. Attendees will learn how to optimize their benefits investment, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure their programs remain competitive, relevant, and valued by employees.

Brought to you by:

Webinar: Beyond Benefits: Using Coverage to Deepen Engagement and Amplify Impact 
April 30, 2026 | 12PM EST  
Online - Free

Benefits can be a powerful differentiator—not just a necessity. This session looks beyond traditional coverage to explore how employee benefits can strengthen member engagement, reinforce organizational value, and support broader association goals. Learn how a strategic benefits offering can deepen relationships, drive participation, and enhance the overall impact of your organization. 

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:

Will AI Recommend Your Association?

As members and prospects shift toward AI-driven search, associations risk becoming invisible. The Ways and Means has launched The AI SEO for Associations Initiative to help organizations protect their authority.

Download the free AI SEO Checklist for Associations to take the first step to ensure AI models like Gemini and ChatGPT recognize, verify, and cite your organization as the industry’s source of truth. You can also view the Blog here.

Offered by:

Climate Is a Critical Business Variable for All Associations
The climate conversation is no longer about whether change is happening, nor is climate change a distant environmental concern. It is a defining force shaping markets, policies, and member expectations across every industry and profession. Association leaders must help members understand what is emerging now and what lies ahead.
ASAE

Why Your Members Aren’t Telling You What They Really Need
Harvard Business Review research shows that asking better questions, not just collecting more data, is key to real personalisation. Here's how associations can apply the psychology of disclosure to understand what members actually need.
Boardroom

When Non-Dues Revenue Feels Out of Reach: A More Strategic Path for Associations
Revenue pressure has become the norm for many association leaders. In many cases, the challenge isn’t a lack of ideas. Associations have strong brands, deep expertise, and incredibly engaged audiences. What slows progress is that non-dues revenue efforts often happen in silos, with different teams pursuing disconnected initiatives that aren’t tied to long-term goals. 
Association Adviser

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.