Through The Noise

Did you know 33 million Americans see chiropractors each year? The American Chiropractic Association is the professional organization for practitioners of chiropractic medicine and represents 10,500 doctors and students. We've invited their Executive VP, Karen Silberman to the show. Titles vary wildly in the nonprofit world and her title of Executive VP puts her in charge of the operations of the organization while the President is occupied with more outward-facing duties. The ACA has been around since 1922 and plays a critical role in advocating for the profession on the hill. Join us for this conversation on a sometimes-misunderstood profession as we discuss advocacy, crisis communications, and collaboration. 

Our population is aging, our health care system is crumbling, and our transportation system often isolates people who can no longer drive. Enter Meals on Wheels. Ellie Hollander is the President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America which represents 5000 different Meals on Wheels programs across the United States. Meals on Wheels makes it possible for people to remain independent and stay in their own homes by helping those who are unable to travel to grocery stores or prepare their own meals. With a paid staff of 100,000 (!) across the country and more than 2 MILLION VOLUNTEERS, Meals on Wheels is a massive operation. Meals on Wheels America is the national organization which is heavily involved in lobbying and advocacy on the Hill and works to make sure their staff, their volunteers, and their recipients receive the support they need, no matter the political climate. To find out how they manage their longtime public-private partnerships and bipartisan support, you won't want to miss this episode.

With technology moving so quickly these days, it's easy to make changes to websites, campaigns, and programs at the click of a button. But that ease can also create complications and allow for the implementation of unvetted ideas so we've invited Merrill Shugoll to the show to talk about her expertise in market research. Merrill Shugoll is the President of Shugoll Research, a marketing research firm based in Bethesda, MD, just outside DC and she helps nonprofits and private companies test their ideas in front of focus groups before launching. Though it might seem like an unnecessary or luxurious expenditure, she covers the reasons why the research is an invaluable investment that can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. If your organization is considering any major changes, you won't want to miss the episode before you roll them out for the public.

Stephanie Mickle of The National Bar Association Political Action Committee joins us for an overview of PACs, how and why they work, and how you could use one. The National Bar Association was created in 1925 to give (primarily) African American lawyers, judges, law students, and other supporters a professional organization as the American Bar Association was still segregated and they were not allowed to become members. The NBA represents 66,000 members of the legal profession and has been part of the struggle for civil rights and justice since its inception. Last year their membership decided it was time to relaunch the political funding arm of the organization so we've invited Stephanie Mickle, the Director of the National Bar Association PAC to chat with us today. Join us to learn more about PACs, their rules, uses, and common misconceptions. Bio: The National Bar Association Political Action Committee (NBAPAC) is a separate, voluntary committee that collects contributions from National Bar Association mem

Most people working for nonprofits probably consider the work they're doing to be pretty important but the challenge is to convince other people of the value of your work and that of your organization. You may be doing the most transformative work in the entire world, but if you can't tell your story and can't let people know about it -- then what is the point? To answer some of the important questions about getting your message not just out there, but in the hands of the right people, we have invited Sabrina Kidwai of the DC / National Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America to clarify some of the finer points of public relations. Sabrina Kidwai is the president of the chapter which is the largest in the country with 1200 members working in nonprofits, government, and private business and all their members benefit from the diverse background of their membership. Don't miss what she has to say today on Through the Noise. Bio: The National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America r

Housing impacts each of us every single day and plays a pivotal role in ensuring that we are able to live our best lives and do the work that makes the world a better place. Whether you rent or own, the work of the National Association of Home Builders has probably influenced your life in some important way, so we've invited Lakisha Woods to the show to talk with us about representing the 8 million people working in all facets of the housing industry. Since the early 1940s, the NAHB has been a critical resource for home owners and builders and making important connections between the two. Don't miss this show to find out how Ms. Woods, as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer -- makes sure that the massive organization is on the same page and speaks with a single voice. Bio: NAHB represents the largest network of craftsmen, innovators and problem solvers dedicated to building and enriching communities. Lakisha Woods, CAE is the Sr. VP & Chief Marketing Officer for the National Association of

We've all heard eight hours per night is the ideal amount of sleep to strive for -- and while some need less and many need more -- the quality of sleep we are able to get is heavily dependent on the surface on which we sleep. To find out more about spending one-third of our lives in a way that benefits all of our waking hours -- particularly for the new parents that host and listen to the show -- we invited Mary Helen Rogers of the International Sleep Products Association for a chat. Founded in 1915 by mattress manufacturers to combat fraud, ISPA has been protecting consumers and those same manufacturers for over 100 years. Though repulsive, it was not uncommon for people to put a new cover on old mattresses and resell them as brand new to unsuspecting and tired sleepers. Still occasionally a problem today in the used mattress world, the work of the association has largely conquered one of the most disgusting problems vexing the sleeping world. While their membership is comprised of the makers of mattresses a

Mindy Saffer -- rhymes with laugher -- is a Managing Principal at Cresa, the only company that solely represents the tenants/users of office spaces. Her specialty is working with nonprofits and we're thrilled to have her on the episode today to get some insight into what it takes to find a space that works for the wide variety of needs for different organizations. Think open office spaces are the worst invention ever, as Blake and Ernesto do? Mindy has an answer for that. She is an expert in finding space that suits your organization's day-to-day needs while addressing the varied demands of a multi-generational workforce and staying within a tight budget. Considering a move of your own? Join us for this episode and when you're done, why not leave us a review on iTunes or share with a colleague? Cresa is the world's largest tenant-representation firm offering a complete line of integrated real estate services catering exclusively to tenants and corporate space users.  Mindy Saffer is a commercial real estate

Susannah Wellford is the President & Founder of Running Start, an organization with an unusual mission -- to get girls and young women ready and excited about running for office. They start working with girls that are just 14, before they are jaded, and show them the ropes of how it's done. Many girls and young women are passionate about helping people through politics but are often hesitant because there are so rarely people in those roles that look like them. Running Start empowers these young women of all political leanings to use their voice and they have trained 12,000 so far. With only five (bipartisan) staff, the organization is able to train about 2500 per year and we can't wait to see what they do. Don't miss this episode for inspiration and hope for the future, and some clever ideas about making your annual events more memorable. Bio: Susannah Wellford has worked for the past 18+ years to raise the voice of young women in politics. As President of Running Start she trains high school and college

We're excited to bring you another show with Jeffrey Tenenbaum for some rare insight into the legal side of the nonprofit world. He is one of -- if not the -- leading expert on nonprofit law in the Washington, DC area and is consistently recognized for his work amongst lawyers around the country. He is the Chair of Venable's Nonprofit Organizations Practice Group and a Partner in the Venable law firm. They have the biggest nonprofit law practice in the country with 700 nonprofit clients of varying sizes with varying needs. Most of their business comes from referrals and Venable produces a significant amount of free legal content to help organizations like yours become better informed about potential legal challenges and how to navigate the legal system. This is definitely an episode not to miss.

Stefanie Reeves has spent much of her career running government affairs programs for large national associations but has recently transitioned to the broader role of Executive Director for the state organization -- the Maryland Psychological Association. The MPA works with the doctors that do talk therapy, rather than the ones that prescribe medicine. It's been a couple of years since that move but we chat with her about the changes and challenges of working in a staff of four instead of 600. Mental health is one of the most stigmatized areas of health to consider and insuring it is often more difficult than the obvious physical ailments like a broken arm. The Maryland Psychological Association (MPA) is the professional membership association for psychologists and other mental health professionals in the state. Stefanie Reeves is the Executive Director of the Maryland Psychological Association based in Columbia, MD.

Blake returns! He's back from his travels creating podcasts for several different industries around the country, just in time to welcome Brian Turmail from the Associated General Contractors of America. The AGC represents the people who build pretty much every structure -- and the facilities that support them -- with the exception of homes. He is the Senior Executive Director of Public Affairs and helps tell the stories of general contractors, bridging the gap between what they really do and what people think they do. They are working to dispel the myth that every construction site is just a bunch of inconvenient orange cones and people standing around. Like most of our guests, he is a major advocate of taking the time to call your elected officials. They have had tremendous success with this approach by mobilizing people from the 26,000 firms they represent. Don't miss this episode... and if you've gleaned anything useful from our shows, we'd definitely appreciate you taking 3 minutes to write us a review on

Can you believe that women were unable to join the Chamber of Commerce until 1988 unless their husbands were members? That was one of the (many) reasons for the founding of the National Association of Women Business Owners in 1975 and we're thrilled to welcome Kathy Warnick, NAWBO's National Chair and Joy Lutes, the Vice President of External Affairs to chat about the groundbreaking work their organization has done over the past 42 years on behalf of the (now) more than 10 million women business owners in the U.S. As they say -- women couldn't get a seat at the table, so they made their own. Working with a network of 60 chapters around the country, they empower and inform women to access the capital they need to build and grow their businesses. NAWBO's big meeting is coming up on October 15 in Minneapolis and if you are an entrepreneurial woman -- or know someone who is -- don't miss this episode to hear from the women doing the boots on the ground work to make it possible. Bio: Founded in 1975, the National

Simon Owens is a returning guest to Through the Noise, having been one of our earliest guests on the show. He's a journalist employed by many who has departed from his freelance marketing career in favor of pursuing the leads and stories that call to him. Writing about tech, media, and marketing, his niche is broad enough to appeal to and provide important content for a huge range of people. Join us for a conversation about transitions in tech, getting and retaining subscribers, and the value of connecting with people through the intimate medium of podcasts. If you're a listener of Through the Noise, we'd definitely appreciate if you took a few minutes to let us know with a review on iTunes or your favorite podcast listening service. Have ideas to help us improve? We're into constructive criticism too. Simon Owens is a longtime journalist, marketer, and PR professional. He began his career as a newspaper reporter covering local government in Virginia. In 2008, he moved to Washington, DC to work at a marketing

Sarah McCann has spent a good deal of her career in aviation advocacy and has recently become the Director of Communications for General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Ernesto and Sarah discuss the ins and outs of working as a member of a "one man shop" -- running the communications program for the organization versus being part of a communications team. We also touch on membership -- how do you manage your communication planning when your membership is comprised of individuals compared to an association with member companies who each have their own communications team? Have you faced these challenges in your own career? Do you have a unique solution you'd like to share with Through the Noise listeners so everyone benefits? Get in touch! We're always booking future guests who have valuable lessons to offer our listeners. 

Nonprofit organizations are constantly struggling to be heard "through the noise" so we've asked Stephanie Ceruolo, Senior Vice President of Infogroup to join us on the show to talk communications and fundraising. With so many ways to reach potential supporters, it can be difficult to tell which method will be most effective -- and to compete with all the other organizations (and distractions) vying for their attention. Infogroup works to help organizations "fish where the fish are" and help connect nonprofits with people that are not just able to give, but likely to give, and also give at a higher level. They help their clients get the right story to the right people and who doesn't want that? Check in with us today to learn more about connecting with donors who are ready to support your mission -- as long as you're ready to ask. Infogroup is a big data, analytics and marketing services provider that delivers best in class data-driven customer-centric technology solutions. Their data and software-as-a-servic

Managing and supporting the "humans" in "human resources" is a monumental and often delicate and complicated task that is crucial to every single organization. Since resources impact all of our listeners, we've invited Laurie McIntosh, the Director of Membership for the Society of Human Resource Management to join us on Through the Noise. Pronounced "Shirm," the SHRM has 285,000 members worldwide -- though most are in the U.S. -- and even has an office in India. With 575 chapters, there are ample opportunities for individuals engaged (or interested) in human resources to become more deeply involved and to grow professionally. Join us for this episode for insight on improving your own human resource management. Laurie is the Director, Membership for the Society for Human Resource Management where she focuses on effective strategies to attract, engage and retain members. Prior to joining SHRM she worked as an HR practitioner and has industry experience in banking, health care, and consumer packaged goods. She r

Dr. Andy MacCabe of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges sits down in the studio with Ernesto to talk goals, opportunity, the health of many species, collaborating with other organizations, and the benefits of a diverse profession. Dr. MacCabe is CEO of the AAVMC but brings a vast and varied background to the position, including a degree in agriculture, time in the Air Force, a degree in public health, and filling out the diploma wall in his office, a patent law degree. Though the AAVMC has "American" in their name, their membership is now open to and represents 50 medical colleges around the world, including all 30 in the United States. Join us for this conversation to pick up some cross-discipline lessons. The AAVMC is an international nonprofit membership organization whose 49 accredited college and schools and 21 affiliate members are working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment around the world by advancing academic veterinary medicine.

While Blake parties, er, works in Vegas, Through the Noise is hosted by Ernesto and his partner at Infamia, Mickey Panayiotakis, and today they're joined by Henri Makembe of the Beekeeper Group. Mr. Makembe is a partner at the Beekeeper Group, a Washington, DC-based firm that works with associations and nonprofits (and some of those for-profits as well) to engage their target audiences in creative and compelling ways. Their tagline "Build the hive, manage the buzz" is smart, memorable, and informative and on this episode Blake, Mickey, and Henri dive into some of the strategies employed by the Beekeeper Group to make their clients stand out and shine. Henri Makembe is a seasoned public affairs professional with experience as a communications strategist. As a partner at Beekeeper Group, Henri works with a wide array of clients on their digital strategies, focusing on websites, social media, and mobile technology. Beekeeper Group is an award winning communications firm that serves associations, corporations, m

Today's Through the Noise is a quickie takeover by our sister podcast, Tech in Ten. Mickey Panayiotakis, Ernesto's partner at Infamia joins us on the show today for an informal conversation about their new podcast Tech in Ten where they quickly tackle all things related to association tech needs. You can find this succinct weekly podcast on the Through the Noise website and we hope you'll check it out, tune in, and spread the word. Speaking of which... if you've enjoyed any of the nearly 300 episodes of Through the Noise, we'd love it if you left us a review on iTunes so we can help spread the word. Mickey Panayiotakis is the managing partner and technical director for Infamia with 17 years of experience in the Internet backbone industry. He has worked for a variety of non-profit and private sector organizations since 1995, with a commitment to process-driven management. He is an experienced leader of development and design teams with a unique capacity to translate client requirements into technical documenta