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Gardian of the Month: Katie Gadulka

Katie Gadulka

Our Gardian of the Month is Katie Gadulka - VP, Learning at Michigan Association of CPAs! 

Learn: What's one subject you'd like to learn more about? 

Professionally, I would say Leadership Development and personally, I’d like to learn how to play the piano.  

Network: Some people are wallflowers while others are natural networkers.  Which are you (or are you in the middle)? How does this play into your networking experiences?

I think I fall in the middle. While I certainly consider myself an extrovert and I love meeting and getting to know people, at times I also like to just sit back, listen and absorb my surroundings. So for me, it definitely depends on the situation and the type of networking experience.

Transfer: Think about a topic in which you feel you're quite knowledgeable. How would you use this knowledge to better your industry?

With almost 19 years working in Meetings/Events and the Learning space within an Association, I love to work with our members in the CPA profession to help design programs that provide resources and opportunities to network with their colleagues and content that will allow them to gain the skills needed to stay up to date in the profession. I also enjoy collaborating with our colleagues at other CPA state societies to support each other in our efforts to educate our members and share our ideas, successes and ways we can improve.

Please share with us a resource your love and why you can’t live without it.

I really enjoy anything by Brene Brown, specifically her Dare to Lead podcast. I strive every day to become a braver and more vulnerable leader while continuing to build trust with my team and colleagues. Her podcast has become my favorite thing to listen to while I walk my dog and I always learn something new to put into practice in my personal or professional life.

Just for Fun: If you could only eat one food for a week, what would it be and why?

Tacos! I love them in all forms and it’s something that my husband and I enjoy making at home together.

Great Events Equals Better Member Engagement for Association Chapters

The mainstay of association chapters has been their chapter events, polls show that the preference for virtual options has risen to nearly 50%, a stat that has a compound effect on member engagement. Where does this all leave chapters? In a precarious position. The good news is that chapters who throw out yesterday’s playbook will find themselves on more solid footing. Here are three strategies worth helping chapters to embrace. 

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Gardian of the Month: Tracy King

Tracy King is our Gardian of the Month! Learn about a subject she'd like to learn more about, her preference for networking styles, and read about a recent experience that she considered profoundly impactful. 

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From Gadgets to Growth:The Influence of Technology Innovation on Social Transformation

The decision to mandate antiracism or diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) training should be made carefully. While antiracism training can be valuable and effective when implemented thoughtfully, it is most effective when participants are engaged, willing, and open to the learning process. Mandating it for individuals who are not receptive may lead to a superficial compliance without genuine understanding or behavior change. It can also derail the experience for those who are receptive and came to learn. Models of innovation primarily used in business, marketing, and technology, may provide some insight.

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By: Kate Pojeta | Sep, 1 2023
Meetings

The Real Estate of the Conference Namebadge (Part II: The Extras)

Kate covered the basics for the front of your name badge not too long ago, now it's time to consider the extras you may or may not want to include.

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By: Kara Nacarato | Aug, 25 2023
Meetings

Tackling your Event Management Staffing Struggles with an Outside Solution

Today, more than ever, organizations are challenged with staffing issues. Whether the challenge lies in finding the right staff member, or budget constraints keep you from hiring a full-time employee, securing an outside contractor may be the perfect solution. Here are just a few of the benefits that come along when you bring in an external partner to plan and manage your meetings and events.

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Gardian of the Month: John Bacon

John Bacon is our Gardian of the Month! Find out his strategy for helping someone learn a difficult topic, he share his favorite network and why it's special, how he thinks mentorship aids in knowledge transfer, the book he can't live without, and what the title of a book about his life would be called. 

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