Big Red M

It’s MS Awareness Week!????? Part 3 - tremors & spasticity For those who know me, you know I have MS. But you wouldn't notice if I didn't tell you. MS for many is an invisible disease. This week, I’m pulling back the curtain. Each day, I’ll share one of the invisible symptoms I manage daily. Some are frustrating, some are scary, but all are a part of my life with MS. Today's symptom(s): tremors & spasticity ?? Shaky hands? Oh yeah. Most days, my hands don’t stay steady. On tougher days, they tremble noticeably, sometimes even spreading to my arms and upper body. It’s annoying, but at least it doesn’t hurt—and I can usually mask it with a clenched fist. ?Spasticity, on the other hand, HURTS. This isn’t just muscle stiffness—it’s painful, unpredictable spasms that lock up my legs without warning. Imagine your calves cramping so intensely that you can’t move. There’s medication for it—but by the time I realize I need it, I usually can’t even walk to get it myself. This is just one of the many reasons I’m proud to be part of Big Red M as we gear up for Walk MS—supporting the National MS Society! Whether you’re a friend, family member, industry partner—or simply someone who wants to make a difference—we invite you to: ?? Join our team and walk with us ?? Make a donation to fuel the fight against MS Every step we take and every dollar we raise brings us closer to breakthroughs that will change lives. Will you be part of this journey with us? Link in comments! ?? #WalkMS #MSAwareness #Fundraiser #BigRedM

Two years ago, during our Big Red M strategic planning meeting, our team felt strongly about adding a new level of responsibility to give back to our association and nonprofit community. As our team members have been directly and indirectly impacted by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), we felt that partnering with the National MS Society would be the perfect fit for us. As part of this new initiative, I want to personally invite you all to participate with us by joining our Walk Team at the upcoming Walk MS event on Sunday, April 27th in Reston, VA. You can also donate to help us meet and exceed our team fundraising goals. Learn more: https://bit.ly/43ByPCZ All proceeds go directly to the National MS Society. Thank you for your support and we hope to see you out there with the big Red M team!

It’s MS Awareness Week!????? Part 2 - Aphasia For those who know me, you know I have MS. But you wouldn't notice if I didn't tell you. MS for many is an invisible disease. This week, I’m pulling back the curtain. Each day, I’ll share one of the invisible symptoms I manage daily. Some are frustrating, some are scary, but all are a part of my life with MS. Today's symptom: aphasia Aphasia is a language disorder that affects the ability to understand, produce, or use language. For me, it most commonly presents as anomic aphasia—which means I know exactly what I want to say, but the right word just won’t come out. Instead, I find myself describing things in roundabout ways. For example, instead of saying “stove” or “oven,” I might say: ?? “That thing you cook food in with burners on top.” Most of the time, it just seems like a quirky habit. But sometimes, it’s more than that. On rare occasions, I experience Broca’s aphasia—where my ability to form words completely breaks down. It’s like my brain and mouth refuse to connect, and what comes out sounds like random, jumbled noises. It’s scary, disorienting, and mimics the effects of a stroke. This is just one of the many reasons I’m proud to be part of Big Red M as we gear up for Walk MS—supporting the National MS Society! Whether you’re a friend, family member, industry partner—or simply someone who wants to make a difference—we invite you to: ?? Join our team and walk with us ?? Make a donation to fuel the fight against MS Every step we take and every dollar we raise brings us closer to breakthroughs that will change lives. Will you be part of this journey with us? Link in comments! ?? #WalkMS #MSAwareness #Fundraiser #BigRedM

No two associations are the same. That’s why our approach is always customized to fit your needs, built by our team members who have decades of hands-on experience working with a variety of trade associations and professional societies. For Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) we started with membership recruitment. After seeing success, we expanded into sponsorship. Then, we did the same for WaterISAC driving membership growth before adding a sponsorship strategy. We build a path that fits you. We keep growing from there. Offering three core services designed to support associations like yours. ? Sales ? Consulting ? Publishing Take the first step to growing your association today. Contact us below. https://bit.ly/BRMschedule

Proud to stand with Alyssa Carlson and our team to support the National MS Society during MS Awareness Week. ???? Every dollar we raise helps move us closer to life-changing breakthroughs. Donate here! https://bit.ly/43ByPCZ

We’re excited to welcome Melissa DeGraw to the Big Red M team! Bringing 15+ years of experience in membership, sponsorship, exhibit sales, and advertising, Melissa is a seasoned association leader with a knack for revenue growth and creative partnerships. She has a track record of developing outside-the-box strategies that drive membership and non-dues revenue for trade and professional associations. At Big Red M, Melissa will focus on helping associations expand their reach and maximize revenue through sales and sponsorship solutions. Give Melissa a warm welcome with us. We are excited for what’s ahead!

Did you know 59% of association executives believe their organization's value proposition is not effectively communicating the benefits of membership? Sounds high, doesn't it? Expectations shift fast. If your association is still offering the same benefits package as it did five years ago, it might be time to reassess. Members join for value. They stay for relevance. If your messaging and offerings are not evolving alongside their needs, you risk losing engagement, retention, and long-term growth. The challenge is not just identifying what needs to change, but knowing how to modernize your strategy in a way that actually makes an impact. Don't know where the easiest place to start is? That's exactly why we created our free 10 step guide to modernize your sssociation’s strategy. Take a fresh look at your approach, make informed adjustments, and ensure your association is positioned for long-term success. Get the guide today and start making meaningful changes. https://bit.ly/40DjWNo

"Big Red M helped us build a sponsorship program from the ground up, and now we’re pushing close to $300,000 in new revenue." - Tom Dobbins, CAE Looking to increase your association’s revenue? Big Red M has helped organizations like Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and WaterISAC grow their membership and sponsorship programs, creating consistent, scalable revenue streams. We act as an extension of your team, bringing expertise, persistence, and a strategy that delivers real results. Want to see how we can do the same for your association? Let’s talk. Schedule a free 30-minute call today. https://bit.ly/BRMschedule

Happy Mardi Gras from Big Red M! We’ve sent a slice of the celebration right to our clients' doorsteps, a delicious King Cake! Why, you ask? Because just like finding the hidden baby symbolizes luck and prosperity, working with us uncovers hidden opportunities and leads to big wins. Enjoy the sweet treat. Here’s to a year of growth, opportunity, and a little extra fun along the way!

We know it’s almost the weekend, and you’re probably this close to logging off. ?? But before you do, just one more piece from us. If your association is still running the same general strategy as five years ago, it’s time for an update. We’ve worked with countless associations across industries, and the challenges are always very similar across the board. Membership numbers are slipping. Non-dues revenue is stalling. Engagement strategies just aren’t hitting like they used to. Growing associations are growing for a reason. Simply put, they adapted and modernized. That’s exactly what our newest free guide, "10 Steps to Modernize Your Association’s Strategy in 2025," is designed to help you do. Download it now, then you can log off. We promise. https://bit.ly/40DjWNo