Full Program

The QAS 2.0 Qualified Association Specialist Certificate Program is 13 modules on the principles of association management and is expected to earn 13 hours of CAE continuing education credit. Download Overview PDF

Module 1 – Organization Types & Management Structures

Bob Harris, CAE; Non-Profit Center

Learn about the historical role of associations, what 501(c)__ means, and how associations are structured and governed

Role of Associations & Historical Principles (1776-Present)
Difference between various 501(c) orgs
Strategic Planning & Formal Process
Chapters, Federations & Affiliations
The Governing Documents

Bob Harris, CAE works with thousands of organizations to improve performance and outcomes. He believes nonprofit organizations should be as efficient and effective as any commercial business or franchise. Bob provides free tips and templates to make governance and management efficient at www.nonprofitcenter.com.

Module 2 – Ethics in Associations

Shawna Strickland, Phd, CAE; American Epilepsy Society

Explore ethical leadership in associations, apply a decision-making framework, and understand codes of ethics and ASAE standards

Identify the role of ethics in associations
Discuss the importance of ethical leadership
Outline the ASAE standards of conduct
Identify and apply an ethical decision-making framework
Discuss codes of ethics and the impact of ethics audits

Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, is the Chief Learning and Engagement Officer at the American Epilepsy Society. She has over 12 years of association leadership experience as well as 25 years of higher education experience, focused on health care, leadership, and ethics. Dr. Strickland is also an adjunct faculty member at Rush University, teaching leadership and education courses in the Doctor of Philosophy in health sciences program.

Module 3 – Board Governance & Volunteer Management

Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF; Vista Cova

Understand the board and committee structure, what Good Governance is, managing volunteers and developing leaders

Organizational Life Cycles
What is Governance
Structure & Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
Minutes & Documentation
Committees and Responsibilities
Volunteer Recruitment & Management
Volunteer Leadership Development

Dr. Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF, is the CEO of Vista Cova and an expert facilitator of strategy and governance, working with over 100 associations and nonprofits every year. Lowell is the author of the strategy for the latest edition of Professional Practices in Association Management and frequently facilitates CEO roundtables for FSAE and many other state societies.

Module 4 – Financial Management, Audits & Budgeting

Allison Harrell, CPA; Thomas, Howell, Ferguson CPA

Learn key components of preparing for an audit, separation of duties, financial statement analysis, and budget development

Internal Control Systems: Reducing Your Risk of Fraud
Separation of Duties, Financial Policies & Practical Solutions
Financial Statement Analysis and Ratios
Budget Development

Since 2002, Allison Harrell, CPA has offered assurance services to governmental, not-for-profit, and for-profit entities. Achieving shareholder status in the Thomas Howell Ferguson CPA firm in her early thirties, Allison has become a trailblazer for accounting professionals on a fast track. Learn more at thf.cpa.

Module 5 – Administration & Human Resources (HR)

Bennett Napier, MS, CAE; Partners in Association Management

Explore vendors, contracts, employees, self-management or management company and social responsibility

Contracts: Vendor/Supplier Management
Key Areas of Insurance
Outsourcing Services
Association Documentation & Retention
Employee Contracts & Handbooks
Employee Policies & Performance Reviews
Self Manage or Management Company

Bennett Napier, CAE is President/CEO of Partners in Association Management. He has worked in association management for over thirty years. He has been named one of Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders by Florida Trend Magazine for eight years in a row.

Module 6 – Legal Issues in Associations

Legal Part I: Legal Issues & Risk Management

Bob Harris, CAE; Non-Profit Center

Understand anti-trust, volunteer immunity, authority to speak, conflicts of interest, risks and more

Anti-Trust
Insurance & Risk Management
Volunteer Immunity
Authority to Speak
Conflicts of Interest
Public Records

Legal Part II: Employment Law Update

Attorney Linda Bond Edwards, Alvarez Dispute Resolution

Employment Law & Discrimination
Retaliation
Compliance

Linda Bond Edwards, Esq. is a seasoned employment law attorney. After thirty years of employment litigation in state and federal courts, mainly representing public and private employers, she now devotes her time to helping others resolve employment and other disputes as a mediator and arbitrator.

Module 7 – Communications & Crisis Management

Heidi Otway APR, CPRC; SalterMitchell PR

Understand the principles of marketing, branding, public relations, crisis communication and privacy

Strategic Communication Planning & research
Effective Communications for Generations in the Workplace
Communications Tactics
Branding and Messaging
Crisis Management and Crisis Communication
GDPR Considerations / Member Privacy

Decades of experience have solidified Heidi Otway, APR, CPRC as an expert in all aspects of media, strategic communications, marketing, and audience engagement. She has led numerous public relations and public affairs initiatives, managing the reputations of top organizations. For every client and cause, she relentlessly pursues results that help them succeed.

Module 8 – Marketing & Social Media

Michael Winn, RBOA Digitally Driven Marketing

Learn best practices for building community through social media and digital tools

Creating Your Plan for Success
Identifying Your Community
Developing Content and Marketing Strategies
Digital Marketing and Online Ads
Reaching & Engaging Your Community
Using Your Website Effectively
SEO – Search Engine Optimization
Data Analytics

Michael Winn is the CEO of RBOA Digitally Driven Marketing, a results-focused agency specializing in SEO, website design, social media, and video production. With over a decade of leadership experience, he partners with businesses, nonprofits, and associations to build powerful digital strategies that drive measurable growth.

Module 9 – Membership Recruitment, Engagement & Retention

Membership Part 1: The Keys to Member Recruitment & Retention

Tom Morrison, Metal Treating Institute

Learn the keys to member recruitment, engagement, retention, developing value propositions, and member benefits

Keys to Recruitment, Engagement & Retention
Value Proposition Development
Member Categories
Benefits vs Features
Member Research

Tom Morrison is an accomplished association executive with over 30 years of leadership experience, having served as CEO for three organizations, including the Metal Treating Institute, where he has driven over 4,000% growth since 2006. His success stems from a strategic focus on innovation, member value, and navigating industry disruption to strengthen association impact and engagement.

Membership Part II: Reimaging Member Value

Avi Olitzky, Olitzky Group Consulting

Membership through Generational Shifts
Membership as an Experience
Member Engagement & Relations
Rethinking Value
Benefits vs Features
Membership Models

Avi S. Olitzky is President and Principal Consultant of Olitzky Consulting Group, specializing in strategic planning, governance, and membership and alternative revenue models for associations and nonprofits. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Avi brings decades of leadership experience and a passion for helping organizations create meaningful impact. Learn more at www.olitzkyconsulting.com.

Module 10 – Meetings, Conference, Trade Shows

Aaron Wolowiec, FASAE, CAE, CMP Fellow; Event Garde

Gain insight on meeting contracts, sponsor development, site selection, program development, committee vs staff driven and risk management

Strategic Meeting Development
Key Factors in Site Selection
Meeting Contracts & Negotiations: Essential Components
Sponsorship Development: Maximizing Sponsor ROI
Planning & Implementation: Budgeting & Streamlining Processes
Event Logistics: F&B, Rooms & AV
Sustainability & Going Green
Risk Management, Safety & Crises
Future-Proofing Meetings & Events

Aaron D. Wolowiec, FASAE, CAE, CMP Fellow is a nationally recognized meeting strategist, facilitator, and learning designer with more than two decades of association experience. As the founder and president of Event Garde, he specializes in creating engaging, multisensory learning and networking experiences. A certified Technology of Participation facilitator and mentor trainer, Aaron prioritizes participatory and equitable approaches to consensus building and strategic planning.

Module 11 – Non-Dues Revenue: Fueling Mission, Member Value, and Financial Sustainability

Teri Carden, Non-Dues Revenue Enthusiast

Learn the keys to developing non-dues revenue programs, measuring success, delivery systems and more

Understanding Non-Dues Revenue and Why it Matters
Identifying Potential Revenue Streams
Strategic Considerations: Align with Member Needs
Start Small & Simple and Build with Intention
Finance, ROI and What Success Looks Like
Governance, Finance & Ethics: Program Risk Management, UBIT, Sustainability, & Transparency

Teri Carden is a tech-savvy entrepreneur and association industry veteran known for launching innovative platforms like ReviewMyAMS, Non Dues-a-Palooza, and AMS Fest. She currently serves as the VP of Marketing & Client Success at Insight Guide, where she helps associations and solution providers connect meaningfully through smart marketplace technology.

Module 12 – Effective Advocacy: Public Policy & Government Relations

Steve Vancore, Vancore Jones Communications

Gain insight into advocacy, lobbying, coalition building, grassroots development and PAC funding

The Value of Advocacy: Building Relationships & Effective Communications with Public Officials
Grassroots Efforts and Harnessing Your Members
Allies & Coalition Building
Lobbying (State vs Federal)
Donations / PAC Funds and Reporting Requirements

Steven J. Vancore is the President of VancoreJones and Clearview Polling and Research, LLC. Throughout his career, he has coordinated scores of strategic communications, political and public relations campaigns, served as the political director of a major statewide association, and has represented and continues to represent some of Florida’s largest and most influential businesses and associations in the state.

Module 13 – Technology and Data Management

Kevin McNulty, NetWeave Social Networking

Learn about “AMSs” and member management systems, the cloud, working remotely, security issues and system compatibility

Understand how to Select and Implement different Management Systems and Social Technologies
Evaluate and understand Cloud vs. Onsite Server Solutions
Mining Your Member Data a Developing Useful Reports
Remote Work Tools
Strengthen systems security and compatibility
AI & Emerging Technologies
Evaluate tech policies and conduct tech audits

Kevin McNulty is the co-founder and president of NetWeave Social Networking, a digital marketing agency based in Palmetto, Florida. He is also a professor of digital marketing at State College of Florida and a frequent speaker for professional associations, including a recent appearance at TEDx Bradenton.

Purchase QAS

If you are not a member of FSAE, please enter your email under New Users to create an account. If you need assistance, please email events@fsae.org or call or text 850.222.7994

QAS 2.0 is administered and created by the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) and provided in partnership with numerous state SAEs. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact events@fsae.org or call or text [850] 222-7994.

The QAS 2.0 Program was created by FSAE with production help from The Link Event Professionals