In this episode of Learning by Association, host Bill Sheehan welcomes Jackson Boyar, CEO and co-founder of RallyBoard, for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the most pressing challenges facing associations today: Meaningful member engagement in an attention economy.
Drawing on his background as the founder of Mentor Collective and his work with associations across industries, Jackson shares why connection is becoming the defining value proposition for associations, particularly for millennials and Gen Z professionals. Together, Bill and Jackson explore how cohort-based programs, peer learning and mentorship can help associations move beyond transactional engagement toward deeper, more authentic member experiences.
The discussion also examines how associations can leverage their unique social capital to differentiate themselves from big tech platforms, create year-round value beyond the annual meeting and rethink engagement, learning and community as strategic drivers of relevance and growth .
Key topics covered in this episode include:
- Why traditional engagement metrics fall short and what real engagement looks like
- The role of cohort-based learning and peer connection in attracting younger members
- How associations can design intentional member experiences that foster trust and loyalty
- The intersection of learning, mentorship and community as a competitive advantage
- Opportunities to scale connection while supporting staff capacity and sustainability
To follow us on social media, find us on LinkedIn or Facebook @D2L. You can also check out our YouTube channel @Desire2LearnInc for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.
For more content like this, visit D2L.com/Learning-by-Association.
Don't miss our other show, Teach & Learn, a podcast for curious educators.
To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com.
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