Thanks to Krys at Gathering for putting together this list of networking tips/resourcesfor shy people. I’m bookmarking it for a closer look, hopefully sometime before ASAE and The Center’s annual meeting in August. I am a total trainwreck when it comes to those networking events; maybe these tips will help.

I saw this video about how to make caviar out of carrot juice, and had to share. Who knows, with food prices rising the way they are, this could be the centerpiece of your next banquet. (Oh, I sure hope not!)

I just heard that Susan Sarfati’s leaving ASAE and The Center–she’s been president of the Center and the executive vice president of ASAE since the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, of which she was the head, merged with ASAE a few years ago.

ASAE is issuing a statement about it in 40 minutes or so, but wow, what a huge loss for ASAE. I’ve noticed a big difference in the education ASAE offers since she’s been on board, which I doubt is a coincidence. I don’t know whose idea this is, or where she’s heading from here, and I doubt the coming statement will tell us much (they never do when it comes to changes in leadership at our industry associations, which makes me crazy. But that’s another story).

I wish her well. Geez, is Deborah Sexton at PCMA now standing alone in terms of women in leadership positions in this predominantly female industry’s associations?

Update: Here’s the official word:

After more than 25 years as a leader and outspoken advocate for the association management profession and for life-long learning, Susan Sarfati, CAE, founding president and CEO of The Center for Association Leadership and executive vice president of ASAE, advised the Board of Directors of The Center that she will leave the organizations, effective August 31, 2008.

“Susan’s leadership, passion, creativity, energy and commitment are unsurpassed in the profession. She is an icon in the industry and is held in such high regard by the ASAE & Center boards, association professionals and industry partners alike. Susan has been the heart and soul of The Center and will be sorely missed,” said Mark Golden, CAE, chairman of The Center and executive director and CEO of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).

“Susan is a visionary leader and innovator who has taken risks that have shaped the profession and we’ve all benefited as a result,” said ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE. “Susan’s passion and strong belief in the importance, possibilities and contributions of associations have always been evident, and we thank her for her leadership at ASAE & The Center and in the larger global community.”

“Going forward, my work and career will continue to focus on leadership development, social responsibility, women’s issues and contributions to the association and meetings industry, which are all my passions,” Sarfati said. “My career over the years has been very fulfilling with more to come. I am proud of my many contributions, including being the founding CEO of The Center, leading the 13 seasons of the Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speakers Series, building a high performance team, and most recently, launching the Global Summit on Social Responsibility and the association social responsibility movement. From now until my departure on August 31, I will direct my efforts toward moving the Summit outcomes to the next step. What I value most are the relationships I have built with volunteer leaders, members, and the incredibly talented staff whom I have had the honor of working with over the years.”

They’re in: Hotel Chatter’s list of the best WiFi hotels of 2008.

Did you know:

As I mentioned a few months back, I had a glancing blow from the melanoma monster not long ago. So far, it looks like I’m among the lucky ones who get to walk away with some spectacular scars. Others aren’t so lucky.

Know the risk factors and the ABCDs of detection. While fair-skinned, light-haired, blue-eyed folks like me are most likely to get skin cancer, no one is safe–it’s an equal opportunity killer. Visit Carver’s blog for a lot of good links (plus some beautiful photos of flowers from her garden).

Please be careful out there, wear sunscreen, and don’t be shy about insisting that your skin concerns be taken seriously. It could very literally mean your life.

We ran this article about what was involved in putting together a last-minute political rally for presidential candidate Barack Obama in the April issue of Association Meetings. I thought it was a little dicey because politics always is, but a legitimate and interesting case study on what goes on behind-the-scenes to pull something like this off.

Well, this morning I got a call from a very nice gentleman who told me that he was offended by the article, and thought that we were pushing Obama’s agenda by publishing it. Because it was strictly about the logistics, not the rally’s content, I still feel it was a good call to run it, but I’d be curious to know your thoughts (please drop a comment below or e-mail me).

If you need to take a break, or just reset your brain, check out Twistori. The site streams the latest Twitter posts with the words “love,” “hate,” “think,” “believe,” “feel,” and “wish.” In each stream you’ll find thoughts deep and shallow, but always interesting in the way they juxtapose. For example, here’s what I caught just now on the “believe” stream:

Singing to all the songs that make my heart beat just a little faster. I believe that is what my soul really needs to remind me who I am

My abs hurt. I believe that’s a good thing.

I believe I need to get some sleep!!

Services that I believe should be combined, oil change and massages.

And so on. It’s kind of interesting to eavesdrop on a Twittering world’s zeitgeist. (Thanks to Seth Godin for the pointer.)

I’d like to say I’ve never seen anything like it, but…check it out, you will laugh.

via Johnnie Moore’s weblog.

I haven’t been able to attend ASAE’s Summit on Global Responsibility, which started yesterday, but I hope to sit in on some of it virtually today (in addition to the on-site gathering at the new Gaylord, there also are a number of satellite sites (none near me, alas) and you also can hook into the meeting online. Industry consultant Joan Eisenstodt is at the live meeting, and from this post, it sounds like an amazing experience so far.

Of course, ASAE and The Center’s Acronym blog is posting about it, and Jeff De Cagna has some interesting thoughts on the first day as well.

If anyone else is attending–live, remotely, or virtually–I’d love to get your perspective on both the content of what’s going on, and how the format of the meeting helps (or doesn’t help) participants to reach their goals for the gathering. So drop me an e-mail or leave a comment below. I’m curious to see if this is really as big a deal as I think it is–or could be.