On a membership onboarding session with staff in background while two members talk... New Member: “So what’s the main benefit of joining this association?” Veteran Member: “Free food at events. One time, I pocketed three croissants at the Leadership Breakfast.” New Member: “Wow, they don’t mention that in the welcome packet!” OVERHEARD in Associations ADuring a webinar troubleshooting session... IT Support: “We can’t hear you. Have you tried unmuting?” Presenter: “I’m not muted. My mic is just... shy.” IT Support: “Okay… but have you asked it nicely?” 43 Welcome to the latest edition of Overheard in Associations, where we’ve scoured the meeting rooms, conference calls, and hallway gossip to bring you the most hilarious and eyebrow-raising snippets from the world of associations. Inspired by the legendary “Overheard in New York,” this feature captures those moments that make association life… uniquely entertaining. Enjoy because this one’s a doozy! During a networking event... “Networking is just professional speed-dating, except instead of soulmates, you find people who bullshit better than you do—like claiming they invented post-it note brainstorming.” On the Teams Management channel... “Did you hear Kendrick Lamar is headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans?” “Yeah, and if we can’t get him for our next annual meeting, I’m proposing we at least hire that guy who played ‘The Final Countdown’ on bagpipes when we were at Keswick Hall.” On a conference call... ”Can we circle back on this? I got distracted because my neighbor started mowing their lawn—during a snowstorm. And honestly, I have follow-up questions.” During a strategy meeting... “Wait, are you telling me our 2025 goal wasn’t just to survive the year? I thought we were aiming for ‘No lawsuits and at least one working printer’ as our stretch goal.” Got your own gem to share? Submit your funniest overheard moments for a chance to be featured in the next issue. Let’s keep the laughs rolling, association style! And remember: sometimes, it’s better to hit “mute.” Submit your overheard moments! Email [email protected] the lead up to the non-dues revenue webinar... ”I said, ‘Wait, you mean their renewal fee doesn’t come with an extra tote bag? Seems like a missed sponsorship opportunity!’” During a webinar troubleshooting session... “Look, if the Wi-Fi drops again, I’m gonna throw this laptop out the window and blame it on ‘technical difficulties.’” At the annual conference happy hour... “If I hear one more person say the word ‘synergy,’ I’m switching my drink order to tequila shots.” In the exhibit hall at PCMA Convening Leaders... ”If I collect one more tote bag, I’ll officially qualify as a hoarder. But hey, free pens!” At a committee planning session... ”Do we have to call it a ‘task force’? Can’t we just say it’s a ‘vibe check’ group?” In a Board of Directors meeting... ”Can we just skip straight to the part where we agree to disagree and adjourn? I promised my wife I’d be home by 8 and she already wants to divorce me.” On a Zoom planning call... ”Can we please disable the chat feature during this meeting? Last time, someone accidentally sent a message to everyone about needing more wine. It… wasn’t wrong, though.” In a Board of Directors meeting... “If this agenda gets any longer, I’m ordering Postmates to the conference room. Y’all can keep arguing about bylaws while I eat my fries and a milkshake.” During an ASAE networking event... ”Honestly, I became a member for the professional development, but I stay for the drama in Collaborate!” At the office holiday party... “I’ve only been here three months, but I’ve already mastered the art of looking busy while silently Googling: ‘How to survive a Secret Santa disaster.’”
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