| Security, Fraud and Passwords, Oh My! |
It is hard to believe we are almost two months into the year. I knew the month was almost complete when I received my friendly reminder from Lisa - "Time for your article!" This time I'd like to cover a topic I normally reserve for Ben - security. Several years ago I received a quite shocking letter from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. To my surprise, they informed me I had been "laid off" and a debit card with my benefits was on the way. After numerous phone calls, emails and certified letters, I was able to correct everything. Apparently someone in Pennsylvania was kindly filing for me and there had been a large uptick in this type of activity. Due to the fraudulent claim, an agent from the IDES recommended I change all of my passwords. What?!?! Did he know how many passwords I had to change? It was time for me to step up my personal security and password management. I had used 1Password for years but only sparingly. If you aren't using a password manager I would highly recommend 1Password. It took me about a month but I updated every password (with complex passwords) and enabled Multi-factor authentication when available. Here are a few of my favorite features/benefits of 1Password:
- Family account and vaults - I subscribe to the family plan allowing my wife and kids to all have their own accounts. Everyone has their own "vaults" for their personal items. But we also share a vault for the non-critical logins.
- Browser Extensions and iPhone integration - with these two features I can seamlessly login to any of my accounts easily.
- Whenever I create a new password I let 1Password do it for me. I end up with incredibly long and complex passwords.
- Credit Cards - 1Password stores my credit card details and with the browser extension it makes online shopping a breeze (okay maybe this isn't a good thing).
- Watchtower - this is my personal security scorecard. It tells me which passwords have been reused, are weak or even possibly compromised. I periodically review this and update the offenders.
There are so many other great features of 1Password and there are many great alternatives. Please drop me an email if you have any questions.
Note: 1Password's enterprise edition (for businesses) allows all employees to receive the family edition for free. |
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Forj and Web Courseworks have merged to create the future of community-driven learning.
Today’s professionals crave experiential learning and community engagement beyond the ordinary. Associations and professional organizations need a trusted partner like Forj, with the expertise and passion to make that member experience a reality.
We’re combining our vision and capabilities to enable members to learn, connect, and belong—and to empower associations to ignite growth in their membership and non-dues revenue.
"Our purpose is to modernize the member experience in mission-driven associations and other communities of practice, enabling them to unlock their full potential. There is a massive opportunity in front of us, as our clients transform to meet the ever-increasing expectations of their members who want to learn, to forge relationships, and to belong to a community that helps them grow,"
- Kurt Heikkinen, Chief Executive Officer, Forj
It’s a step towards changing professional communities forever.
You're invited to join our journey as we help associations transform with modern technology that provides personalized learning experiences, member-to-member connections, and ongoing community engagement.
Learn more and become part of the movement here. |
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| Founded in 1948, the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) is a trade association of 500+ commercial foodservice equipment and supplies (E&S) manufacturers – a $14.3 billion industry. These businesses, their employees and the products they manufacture, support the food away from home market – which includes more than one million locations in the U.S. and countless more around the world. NAFEM serves a vibrant mix of small, medium and large privately owned and publicly traded manufacturing companies. AT has supported the tech needs of NAFEM for nearly 20 years. |
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Celeste Fuchs-Manager, Member Engagement
From application to engagement, Celeste interacts with members and prospects daily, linking them to programs, services and benefits. |
Alice Konopasek-Director of Brand Marketing
Alice oversees NAFEM’s brand policies, procedures and communication across all digital platforms and is the liaison to AT. She began working with NAFEM as a client in 1999 and has worked solely for NAFEM since 2006. |
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Now for some questions to get to know a little more about our friends at NAFEM...
What do you enjoy most about working for NAFEM?
Celeste - I enjoy the variety of the work, the energy of the industry we work in, but most of all the people. I’ve been with most of my colleagues on/off since I was 22 so I’ve grown up at NAFEM in every way – personally, professionally, emotionally. It’s my family. And the fireballs. You’re never more than a few feet from a full bowl of fireballs in our office no matter where you are.
Alice - There’s so much, it’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. I feel fortunate that I get to work the people I get to work with including our members, our headquarters team, our vendor partners and on a variety of projects. After four years, we recently held our show again -- The NAFEM Show – which takes place every other year. 19,000 commercial foodservice industry professionals came together. I get to work on this industry show. It’s amazing!
Favorite tv show?
Celeste - For drama, it has to be anything by Aaron Sorkin. I’ve watched and re-watched The West Wing a hundred times at this point. When I want to laugh, it’s harder to pick one, but my favorites of all time are Arrested Development, Schitt’s Creek and of course Friends.
Alice - My favorite TV show these days is Yellowstone.
What is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?
Alice - The best advice I’ve received is “It never hurts to have a conversation,” and “Don’t agree to do something if you don’t understand what you’re getting yourself into.”
Three things most people do not know about you?
Celeste - That even though I can be loud, I’m actually quite introverted. That I lived in Bavaria for a year. That I deeply fear cats and quietly judge anyone that would want them living in their home.
Alice - Hmmm. For those who know me, there’s not a lot they don’t know about me. 😊 I love collecting Disney, vintage glass cake stands and Fiestaware. (I’m older….seasoned…old. Can you tell?)
What is your favorite vacation destination and why?
Celeste - It’s a simple answer and a simple place, but anywhere on Lake Michigan. I’m from Michigan so we spent summers on the beach near Muskegon with all our cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. I can’t be on any other beach or hear the crackle of a fire without thinking of Lake Michigan memories. Now we all take our own kids to the same spots we grew up going to, and get to relive everything through their eyes.
What is your favorite family tradition or activity?
Alice - My favorite tradition is spending New Year’s Eve with the same friends year after year. I can’t remember when we started it, but it’s always something to look forward to and it’s never boring. 😊 |
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| Technology Pro Tip: Now’s the Time to Reassess Technical Debt |
Technical debt was a problem before the pandemic, and it kept growing from there. As associations gradually move toward resuming normal operations, consider tackling it once and for all.
Read More |
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| What Makes for a Healthy Hybrid Workplace? |
For many associations, hybrid work has negatively affected workplace culture. But with remote work here to stay, clear communication, resetting expectations, and maximizing in-person interactions will all play a role in strengthening internal culture.
Read More |
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| MARCH |
| 20 & 21 |
| 7:30AM - 3:30PM CST |
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| ASAE's Exceptional Boards: Strengthening the Governance Team |
Location: Lowes Chicago Hotel, 455 N Park Drive, Chicago, IL
Exceptional Boards is an intensive two-day workshop for CEOs and their elected officers to explore strategies for strengthening their working relationship and enhancing the board's performance. Designed specifically for leadership teams, it provides an engaging learning environment where CEOs and elected leaders together will gain insight and resources to improve the effectiveness of board operations and create a strong and vibrant governance team. It is the one program that coaches you on how to build a board that understands its role, fulfills its responsibility, demonstrates visionary leadership, and ultimately leads the organization it represents to new heights. |
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| MARCH |
| 24 |
| 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM CST |
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| Association Forum's Women's Executive Forum |
Location: Convene Willis Tower, Chicago, IL
Unleash your power and discover your potential!
Join Empowered Women. Fearless Leaders. for a professional development journey unlike any other. Connect with innovators, disrupters, and why can't we doers to explore new ideas, perspectives, and solutions to elevate your leadership skills.
This is your time to make your mark! |
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| NiUG Webinar: Fundraising Best Practices |
Location: Online
Are you currently using iMIS Fundraising or looking to purchase the module? We have developed a professional fundraising panel of iMIS experts to talk about all things fundraising. From best practices, understanding uses for 2017 and through the most current releases of iMIS EMS in the way of new functionality, moves management and so much more! |
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| ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition |
Location: Atlanta, GA, US
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| NiUG International iMIS User Conference |
Location: Rosemont, IL
Mark your calendars for the iMIS Annual User Conference! Many of you know it as Discovery, this year the conference will be on August 21-23 instead of later in the Fall. The conference will be in Rosemont, IL, just miles from downtown Chicago. |
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