--- title: "We Asked, You Answered: Spooky Association Fears" id: "44638" type: "post" slug: "we-asked-you-answered-spooky-association-fears" published_at: "2018-10-30T17:31:07+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T23:04:52+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/10/30/we-asked-you-answered-spooky-association-fears/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/10/30/we-asked-you-answered-spooky-association-fears.md" excerpt: "During the scariest time of year, we asked our readers how they battle their most terrifying association fears." taxonomy_category: - "Career Development" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "persona development" - "public speaking" - "risk-taking" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » We Asked, You Answered: Spooky Association Fears Ghosts, monsters, and witches aren’t the only things frightening us this Halloween. In the association world, there are plenty of real-life fears that can keep you up at night. We asked our readers what fears they have successfully overcome or are working to overcome. From risk-taking to public speaking, find out what gives your fellow association execs a scare. ### Rachel Whitaker *Membership Engagement Coordinator, San Francisco Dental Society* The fear of being wrong or failing. Ever since I was young, I would hold myself back from trying anything because I was so afraid that I may be wrong or that I may fail. I was smart in school and usually knew the answer, but I wouldn’t raise my hand because I was afraid of being wrong in front of the whole class. Everything I did had to be carefully calculated to mitigate the risk of me not succeeding. I have had to force myself out of that box, take risks, learn new things, and sometimes fail. And guess what? The world doesn’t end when I am wrong. Failures are just another way to learn things. ### Katherine Giovetsis *Account Executive, Association Headquarters* Public speaking. To help their employees overcome the fear of public speaking, AH formed its own chapter of Toastmasters. Account executives, as well as other employees, were required to attend bimonthly Toastmasters meetings and have active participation. Although I dreaded these meetings in the beginning (because of my public speaking fear), I grew to look forward to them. I do believe that they helped me gain confidence when addressing an audience or, on a much smaller scale, my board. ### Charity Quick *CEO, AACE International* Risk-taking. Associations are typically very risk-averse, but in order to engage, grow, and meet unmet demand, we needed to do some new “scary” things. Presenting “radical” ideas in a way that shows how you will manage the risks, reap potential rewards, and engage members all with a solid business case makes it less risky. ### Christina Martin *Director of Membership Forums, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists* Crucial conversations with my supervisor, with my direct reports, and even with my own peers. Super scary! (FOTOKITA/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Raegan Johnson](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#persona development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/persona-development/) [#public speaking](https://associationsnow.com/tag/public-speaking/) [#risk-taking](https://associationsnow.com/tag/risk-taking/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoMichelle Poler Previews Her Keynote for ASAE’s The Exchange!April 30, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/30/michelle-poler-previews-her-keynote-for-asaes-the-exchange/) - [VideoDeb Callahan Shares Her CAE JourneyOctober 26, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/10/26/deb-callahan-shares-her-cae-journey/) - [VideoTobin Conley Shares His CAE JourneyOctober 26, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/10/26/tobin-conley-shares-his-cae-journey/) - [Video🚀 The Agile Association Professional: How to Pivot Your Career Path When the Strategic Plan ShiftsJuly 28, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/28/the-agile-association-professional-how-to-pivot-your-career-path-when-the-strategic-plan-shifts/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F10%2F30%2Fwe-asked-you-answered-spooky-association-fears%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !