LEADERSHIP, PLATFORMS & PURPOSE: THE ACADIA BAY BLOG

AI for Associations Does Not Have to Be Abstract I often get asked how to best leverage AI in an association context. Many leaders are interested but unsure where to start or whether AI is realistic for their organization. The good news is that AI does not need to be all or nothing. When applied thoughtfully, it can solve very real problems associations already face. Here are four practical ways AI can add value today. Help Members Find What They Need Many associations sit on

Why Executive Involvement Matters One of the most successful implementations I’ve been part of involved a large association where the CIO and Director of IT were deeply involved. That executive engagement made a measurable difference in both momentum and outcomes. Two things stood out immediately. First, communication was consistent and multi-level. Executives spoke directly to department heads, who then briefed their teams. At the same time, the IT team shared formal updates

When Familiar Turns Into Friction There comes a point in the life of every enterprise system where familiar turns into friction. You feel it when a simple change takes weeks, or when staff quietly avoid the system because it feels cumbersome or unreliable. That moment is often the right time to pause and ask whether your CRM still supports your strategy. The signals I see most often include: Simple changes are no longer simple, such as adding a data point, adjusting a dues ca

Change Is No Longer Optional It’s getting harder to deny it: everything is changing more rapidly with each passing day. AI continues to evolve, highly skilled professionals are openly searching for new opportunities, and technology that felt modern five years ago now feels clunky and out of touch. Attention spans have shortened, expectations have shifted, and the pace isn’t slowing down. Why Change Feels So Hard for Associations and Nonprofits For organizations, especially no