In this insightful episode of The Association 100 Podcast, recorded live at ASAE’s 2024 Annual Conference, host Meghan Henning sits down with Margaret Vitullo, PhD, CAE, Executive Director of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA). With over 16 months at the helm of LSA, Margaret discusses the challenges and opportunities facing scholarly societies and how they can adapt to the shifting association landscape.
Key Highlights:
- The Evolution of Scholarly Societies: Margaret outlines how traditional revenue models for academic associations—membership, meetings, and publications—are under pressure. She explains how the LSA is navigating these challenges while still advancing the scientific study of language.
- Transforming LSA’s Operations: From launching a new website and database to breaking fundraising records, Margaret shares how LSA has made significant strides in its centennial year, while also increasing member dues by 30%.
- Fractal Leadership Approach: Margaret introduces the concept of “fractal leadership,” an innovative model based on shared community and responsibility at every level of an organization. She explains how this approach is helping LSA build a stronger sense of belonging and collaboration among its members, staff, and leadership.
- Revitalizing Member Engagement: Margaret highlights how LSA is creating new opportunities for linguists outside of academia through programs like LEXING, which focuses on linguists working in industry, nonprofits, and government sectors. These efforts are helping to expand the society’s influence beyond traditional academia.
- Empowering Committees and Staff: Drawing inspiration from leadership books such as Turn the Ship Around and The Art of Possibility, Margaret discusses how LSA is empowering committees and staff to take ownership of their roles and contribute to the association’s success.
Join us as Margaret Vitullo shares her journey in reinvigorating LSA through innovation, collaboration, and leadership, providing valuable lessons for association professionals looking to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
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Note: There are minor audio glitches due to background noise from the ASAE show floor. We’ve minimized these as much as possible to ensure a smooth listening experience.
