Cloud storage tools like Dropbox and OneDrive have become indispensable in keeping our work both safe and accessible. Beyond simply backing up your data, these platforms offer smart features that help manage limited disk space, simplify file sharing, and ensure your files are always synced. Here’s how to make the most of them.
One of the biggest advantages of cloud storage is the ability to free up local disk space. Accessing this feature is as easy as right-clicking the file or folder you wish to manage. If you're running out of room on your computer, both Dropbox and OneDrive allow you to store files in the cloud without keeping a full copy on your hard drive. Dropbox uses a feature called Smart Sync, which lets you mark files or folders as “Online Only.” This can be extremely important if you spend any amount of time working with video files, downloading only those you are currently working with, then making them online only once the work is done. This can prevent those large files from filling your computer’s storage, and prevent issues down the road. These files will still remain visible in your file browser and are downloaded only when you open them. Likewise, opening the file or folder will download it for offline use. This can allow you to work completely remotely from internet access, which can prepare for work during travel or while at a conference or other unfamiliar site. Similarly, OneDrive offers Files On-Demand, which lets you see all your files and folders while only storing the ones you use frequently. To use these features, simply right-click on a file or folder and choose the appropriate setting to remove the local copy while retaining cloud access.
Cloud storage also makes it easy to share files without relying on large email attachments. In Dropbox, you can right-click a file and choose to “Share,” allowing you to send it directly to someone via email or generate a link that can be copied and pasted. Often this access is managed to only specific addresses, so make sure you add the recipient to the Manage Access settings for the file. These settings are found in the Settings menu, or “gear” symbol of the file you’re looking to share. OneDrive offers nearly identical functionality, enabling you to create a shareable link or invite specific people. Both platforms allow you to control access settings, such as whether recipients can edit the file or only view it, and offer additional options like link expiration dates and password protection. This streamlines collaboration and helps you maintain control over your content.
It’s also important to recognize when Dropbox isn't running, since unsunk files can lead to data loss or confusion. When Dropbox desyncs, this often shows as files either being unopenable, most commonly with a “corrupted file” error, missing files recently created or missing work on a collaboration project. On a Windows PC, check the system tray, or the bottom-right corner near the date and time, for the Dropbox icon. You may need to click the caret to view more icons. This is an easy issue to fix, simply restart Dropbox by typing “Dropbox” in the Start search bar at the bottom of your screen and clicking “Dropbox” under the Apps heading. On a Mac, look in the menu bar. If the icon is missing, Dropbox may not be running or syncing correctly. This is just as easy to fix, simply run Dropbox from Finder or Launchpad, or search for “Dropbox” using Spotlight search bar in the top right corner of your screen. If syncing is paused or there’s an error, you’ll see a message indicating what needs attention. For best results, make sure Dropbox is set to open automatically when your computer starts; you’ll find this option under Dropbox Preferences in the General tab. If these quick fixes do not work, feel free to reach out to us, and those files will be accessible in your online Dropbox.com portal to continue work from.
In summary, Dropbox and OneDrive offer much more than basic file storage. With a few smart habits, like managing disk space through cloud-only files, using sharing links to collaborate, and keeping an eye on sync status, you can keep your system running smoothly and your files accessible from anywhere. |
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Recently, I had the opportunity to train a new intern on an import process. This process already had a set of instructions created before I took it over. After completing around 150 of these imports myself, I’ve developed my own routines and made small tweaks based on experiences. I’ve only been working at AT for about two years, so having the chance to train someone with little to no experience has been incredibly eye-opening. It taught me lessons I likely wouldn’t have learned otherwise—one of the biggest being the realization of how many subconscious routines we build over time.
When you repeat a task as often as I’ve done these imports, you gain knowledge—through success, through failure, and through simple repetition. But you rarely realize just how much you’ve learned until someone asks you, “Can you explain that process to me?” That’s when it hits you: there’s a lot more going on in your head than the instructions account for. You’re doing more, thinking more, and adapting more than you’re consciously aware of.
While experience like this is valuable, it can also be limiting. Routines are comfortable. Routines are safe. But routines can also become roadblocks to growth and improvement.
I’ll admit it—I’m the kind of person who likes things the way I like them. I’ll stick to my methods for as long as they work. But the reality is that to grow, we have to challenge our comfort zones. One of the best ways to do that is to talk to other people. Whether it's coworkers, friends, or family, just explaining a problem out loud can spark new insights.
There have been countless times over the last two years when I’ve found myself stuck—staring at an error screen for an hour with no progress. Then, as soon as I explain the issue to someone else, I figure out a solution within five minutes. Why? Because articulating the problem forces you to think differently. It gives you a new perspective. It helps pull you out of the fog that routine and complacency create.
Training someone else helped me see that clearly. I had to consider how someone new would understand the process, which meant I had to explain not just the official steps but the ones I’d developed on my own without even realizing. In doing so, I was able to improve and streamline the process—not just for them, but for myself as well.
Teaching someone else deepens your own understanding. It forces you to reevaluate what you do and why you do it. Whether you’re explaining something for your benefit or theirs, the act of verbalizing your knowledge challenges you to see the topic from a new angle. That’s how we grow. That’s how we learn. We take in information, reshape it into something that makes sense to us, and pass it on. |
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| You’re still broadcasting. Your members have stopped listening. |
Let’s fix that.
Most associations rely on traditional, one-way communication, which means blasting out emails and hoping something sticks. But today’s members are overwhelmed with messages, short on time, and expect interactions to be personal and relevant. When communication feels generic, they tune out. And when they tune out, engagement and renewals suffer.
That’s where PropFuel comes in.
PropFuel helps associations shift from transactional messaging to personalized, two-way conversations. It’s a member insights and engagement platform built specifically for associations to help them uncover what members need, respond in real time, and spark deeper engagement across the entire member journey.
At the core of PropFuel is a simple but powerful framework: Ask. Capture. Act.
- Ask questions to understand what each member needs or cares about through email, your website, and SMS.
- Capture their responses and behavioral data instantly, syncing with your AMS and other systems.
- Act on their response immediately by triggering automated, personalized follow-ups that deliver immediate value.
The result?
- Higher membership growth by guiding prospects to the right resources at the right time
- Deeper engagement by uncovering real-time needs and responding with tailored content
- Stronger retention by proactively addressing renewal hesitations before it’s too late
PropFuel gives you the tools to stop guessing and start knowing so every communication feels like a one-on-one conversation, not a broadcast message.
Learn more
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Welcome to the first article in our 3-part series on User Personas—a foundational tool in user-centered design. Over the next three newsletters, we’ll explore what personas are, how to create them, and how to use them effectively in your design process.
User personas are fictional characters based on real user data. They help teams understand and empathize with their users, ensuring that design decisions are grounded in actual needs and behaviors—not assumptions. Whether you're building a new product or refining an existing one, personas can guide your team toward more intuitive, effective solutions.
What Are User Personas and Why Do They Matter?
At their core, user personas are detailed, semi-fictional profiles that represent key segments of your audience. They’re not just creative writing exercises—they’re grounded in research and help teams design with empathy and clarity. Think of them as stand-ins for your users during every design decision.
When done right, personas help you:
- Build empathy: They humanize your data, making it easier to understand user needs.
- Stay focused: Personas keep your team aligned on who you're designing for.
- Make better decisions: They act as a filter for prioritizing features and content.
There are different types of personas. Proto-personas are based on assumptions and are useful in early stages when research is limited. Research-based personas, on the other hand, are built from real user data—interviews, surveys, and analytics—and offer deeper insights that can shape product strategy.
However, personas can fall flat if they’re:
- Too generic or idealized
- Never updated as user needs evolve
- Created but never referenced in actual design work
A good persona should feel like a real person. Give them a name, a face, a quote, and a story. The more relatable they are, the more likely your team will use them in everyday conversations and decisions.
User personas are more than just a UX buzzword—they’re a strategic tool that helps teams stay user-focused. In the next article, we’ll walk through how to create effective personas that are grounded in real data and tailored to your product’s goals.
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The American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE) held their annual conference from July 16-18 in Sacramento, CA.
Sacramento welcomed attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors with perfect weather for the three days, and the Sheraton Grand Sacramento was a perfect location.
After Day 1 filled with society meetings and special interest group meetings, The California Medical Association (CMA) hosted a really fun welcome reception with great food, drinks, and karaoke. If you’ve never been to an AAMSE Annual Conference – add to your list just for the karaoke!
Day 2 featured break out sessions ranging from ‘Empowering Healthcare Professionals: Innovative Solutions for Modern Challenges’ to ‘Retention Prescription: Physician Engagement’. AAMSE did a great job of providing time to hear from, visit and network with the six meeting sponsors and fourteen exhibitors with scheduled breaks and an accessible layout. Shoutout to AAMSE and attendees – I have never been thanked so many times for being a sponsor/exhibitor at a conference!
AAMSE also does a great job of making it easy to engage and network. On Thursday night, attendees had a nice list of restaurants to choose to from/sign up to meet other attendees for dinner at the ‘dine arounds’. This was a very nice way to meet with other attendees over some of Sacramento’s finest dining.
Wrapping up on Friday, I attended my favorite session, ‘Pitch Perfect: Win Board Approval with Powerful Presentations’. Nicole Araujo from Mighty Citizen delivered a powerful presentation with great techniques that can be used in any setting if your goal is to get approval, a yes, or start off a new relationship on the best foundation. After a few more conversations with organizations, I packed up to head home to Chicago.
Thank you AAMSE for a great event and I can’t wait for next year. Put this event in your budget for 2026 and if you need help ‘selling’ it – give me a call I’ll get it done for you. |
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Join in the golfing fun or sponsor the Chicago Golf Outing Benefiting ASAE Research Foundation:
Monday September 22, 2025
Eagle Brook Country Club – 2288 Fargo Blvd, Geneva, IL
Lunch, Golf, Dinner
Various sponsorship levels available
ASAE Research Foundation exists to advance the development and careers of our future talent pipeline via scholarships and grants, and to provide resources that all of us can use. Year after year the Foundation distributes thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving individuals in our association community. We’re proud of the ways the Foundation is changing lives and helping to mold the futures of ambitious, career-focused association professionals. In 2024, the Foundation launched the Future Leaders Professional Development Scholarship, which supports the career advancement of emerging leaders in our field.
Contact Jim Meyers with questions about participation and/or sponsorship.
Do not miss out on this fall spectacular - we are looking forward to seeing you there! |
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| Leverage AI Without Compromising Trust |
AI opens new concerns about data security and member privacy. Old-school guidelines are still useful.
Read More |
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| How Leaders Can De-Stress Their Teams |
Executives don’t just set the tone from the top—they set the mood. Two researchers share how they can address dysfunction across groups.
Read More |
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We have an archive of our newsletters and industry related
articles available on our website, click HERE to access them.
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| JULY |
| 30 |
| 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
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| Association Forum: Microsoft Copilot & AI Lab |
Location: Association Forum Office, 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL
Generative AI has demonstrated the potential to transform how associations operate and compete, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, improved decision-making, and customer experience. Join this engaging LAB (Learn. Apply. Build.) workshop to share ideas and get a hands-on learning experience that will impact your adoption of AI. This session will provide an overview of various AI tools used today. Using Microsoft Copilot as a model, we will explore specific association use cases and best practices including security, acceptable use policies and intellectual property considerations.
Whether you are an experienced Copilot user or are new to the platform, join this session to learn and share successes and challenges, questions, concerns and curiosity that will propel your association down this innovative path.
Each participant should bring a laptop with an Office365 + Copilot license. Be ready to explore features and functionality in your own Copilot environment! |
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| ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition |
Location: Los Angeles, California
The ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition is where thousands of association professionals and industry partners gather to exchange knowledge, resources, strategies, solutions, and more. Over three days of learning, growing, and finding inspiration, attendees are equipped with a year’s worth of support in their daily responsibilities as leaders in the association industry.
The ASAE Annual Meeting provides a unique opportunity to partake in authentic, engaging, thought-provoking, and positive community-building experiences for attendees that support the power of the association community to shape a better future for the industries we serve and for the world we share. |
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| Golf Outing Benefiting ASAE Research Foundation |
Location: Eagle Brook Country Club – 2288 Fargo Blvd, Geneva, IL
ASAE Research Foundation exists to advance the development and careers of our future talent pipeline via scholarships and grants, and to provide resources that all of us can use. Year after year the Foundation distributes thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving individuals in our association community. We’re proud of the ways the Foundation is changing lives and helping to mold the futures of ambitious, career-focused association professionals. In 2024, the Foundation launched the Future Leaders Professional Development Scholarship, which supports the career advancement of emerging leaders in our field.
Contact Jim Meyers with questions about participation and/or sponsorship. |
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| 2025 Annual iNNOVATIONS Conference |
Location: Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, 900 South Orme Street, Arlington, Virginia, USA, 22204
Don't miss the 27th annual iNNOVATIONS Conference as we educate and celebrate our growing community of iMIS®, Clowder®, OpenWater, and TopClass LMS users and partners. At this 2-day conference we have educational tracks, product development insights, case studies, and recognition of our clients who are achieving great things using our suite of non-profit solutions. |
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| iUG Annual iMIS Users Conference 2025 |
Location: Nashville, TN
Learn from seasoned iMIS association professionals, authorized iMIS solution providers, and experienced consultants. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge from the nonprofit sector, offering interactive sessions filled with practical insights, real-world problem-solving, and proven solutions. Comprehensive Sessions: iUG takes pride in delivering sessions that go beyond the basics. Discover how to: Solve challenges with practical "how-to" guidance. Implement best practices for maximizing iMIS functionality. Explore creative, beyond out-of-the-box solutions. Achieve a measurable return on your iMIS investment. Use iMIS in ways you wouldn’t even think of through case studies from other iMIS user organizations. Stay tuned - more information and programming to come! |
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| Association Forum Holiday Showcase |
| Location: McCormick Place, Chicago |
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