How This Association Went from 100 to 800 Engaged Members with Cheryl Farrow

How This Association Went from 100 to 800 Engaged Members with Cheryl Farrow

Author: Cherry Chan October 3, 2024 Duration: 32:48

In this episode of the Unfiltered Non-Profit Podcast, we chat with Cheryl Farrow, CEO of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

Cheryl talks about how she guided the association through a big shift in how they operate, focusing on making things more open and getting members more involved. One of the things she's most proud of is launching "fireside chats," where OACETT members can ask questions directly. These started small with just over 100 people, but in a few months, they grew to over 800—proof that their new, open approach was really working.

Cheryl also shares how they tackled a tough financial challenge in 2022. When the stock market took a hit, it led to some unexpected losses in their investment portfolio. The association had been depending on those returns to balance the budget, so Cheryl and her team moved quickly to make adjustments. They raised membership dues by about 30%. Although they were bracing for some members to leave, the response was surprisingly positive, and they managed to balance the budget without major losses.

From handling financial bumps in the road to boosting member engagement, Cheryl's leadership shows how associations can adapt and thrive when things change. Tune in to hear how she's leading OACETT with openness and a clear vision.


Hosted by Cherry Chan, The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to run a mission-driven organization. This isn't a series of polished success stories; instead, each conversation goes deep into the operational realities that leaders grapple with daily. You'll hear about budget crises that threatened to shut doors, the complexities of team dynamics under pressure, and the strategic pivots that saved programs. Chan guides these discussions with a focus on practical management and the less-glamorous, behind-the-scenes work that sustains impact. The result is a candid resource for anyone involved in the business of change, from seasoned executives to board members and aspiring founders. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private roundtable where honesty is the only policy, offering lessons that are immediately applicable. It captures the full, unfiltered journey of non-profit leadership-the setbacks, the hard-won victories, and the relentless pursuit of making a difference.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 39

The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All
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