tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.comments2016-11-29T13:02:31.430-05:00Capacity to ChangeGreg Melia, CAEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-76623315929933584242016-11-29T13:02:31.430-05:002016-11-29T13:02:31.430-05:00Thanks Carolyn - so thankful to be a part of this ...Thanks Carolyn - so thankful to be a part of this talented network. Truly inspiring.Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-60743172833200945572016-11-29T11:52:49.011-05:002016-11-29T11:52:49.011-05:00LOVE this Greg! What an inspiring blog. Thank yo...LOVE this Greg! What an inspiring blog. Thank you for always giving your time, talent and treasure back to the CCSF family. We are grateful for you!Carolyn Nortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13290878088468244211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-42194324646035814252013-06-05T21:34:03.896-04:002013-06-05T21:34:03.896-04:00Thanks Sarah - I love analogies! And I very much ...Thanks Sarah - I love analogies! And I very much appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment too.Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-60207846587458907042013-06-03T10:47:33.200-04:002013-06-03T10:47:33.200-04:00The analogies in this post make all the difference...The analogies in this post make all the difference. Great insight! Thanks! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-46514350200202441792013-02-22T13:33:09.438-05:002013-02-22T13:33:09.438-05:00Thanks Michael -- I think the two types of organiz...Thanks Michael -- I think the two types of organizations you outline parallel the two different categories of membership benefits examined in ASAE's Decision to Join (DTJ) series: Personal benefits and Good of the Order benefits. DTJ found that Good of the Order benefits were slightly more important to the decision to join or maintain membership. This was consistent across the multiple times the studies were conducted. <br /><br />However, I do think that most associations offer a combination of benefits, and that it may be difficult to define an organization solely as a "buying collective" beyond organizations like BJs ... even AAA has advocacy initiatives. <br /><br />And I am sure we can all identify at least one organization to which we currently or previously belong in which we had the right to vote, but didn't vote ... in other words, home owners who acted as renters in your analogy. I don't think it is a purely a governance structure position ... I think it is a true leadership challenge: How will you engage your members to exercise their ownership interest?<br /> Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-16146740081485352192013-02-22T13:17:56.096-05:002013-02-22T13:17:56.096-05:00Totally agree Ed. If you are not changing, you ar...Totally agree Ed. If you are not changing, you are likely becoming irrelevant. Imagine if AAA could help with more efficient commuting systems for individual drivers. That would be valuable. And their battery replacement service in my driveway is a real value add for our family. Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-55906604515075383612013-02-22T13:14:54.010-05:002013-02-22T13:14:54.010-05:00Thanks Michael -- Glad we agree that these externa...Thanks Michael -- Glad we agree that these external trends are having impacts on associations. And I further agree that these trends are just a starting point ... each association needs to dig further and look at the specific exterior trends that provide opportunity or challenge, and detail the specific impact. <br /><br />I look forward to your article -- you have always done a great job raising the bar on data-based research in the association field. Grounded research is great ... keeping your head in the ground while the world around you changes is not. Here's to associations doing more of the former, and less of the latter!Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-48612616884810859642013-02-20T10:09:34.942-05:002013-02-20T10:09:34.942-05:00Anecdotal! What are the actual "measurable i...Anecdotal! What are the actual "measurable impacts" on associations? I accept that these, and perhaps other changes in the world are having impacts on associations, but we simply need to do a better job of measuring those impacts and understanding more about "how" they are effecting organizations than speculating about them.<br /><br />We're all smart people -- which includes smart enough to spin logical and rational explanations for why A leads to B.... but then again, our species had logical explanations for why the world was flat too.<br /><br />BTW, did you know that there's a "Flat Earth Society" and they publish experiments that they believe proves the earth is flat? Some of their "members" may do this for fun... but some of them are dead serious!<br /><br />We owe it to ourselves and our members to be more grounded in our assertions.<br /><br />I commit to publishing an article in about two weeks that presents a measurement of what has and has not changed for associations since 1993. Let me give you a hint -- it's not as big as "thought leaders" would have us believe... Michael LoBuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00463140398543243858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-58180983170447041872013-02-20T09:44:12.686-05:002013-02-20T09:44:12.686-05:00Greg - thanks for this post. It was also good to ...Greg - thanks for this post. It was also good to see you last week at the AMC Inst. Annual Meeting.<br /><br />May I suggest that there are two general types of associations based on "purpose". One type serves a more "transactional purpose" -- this would be your AAA example. Personally, I resent that the term "member" is used to label the subscribers or customers. There's nothing wrong with this model, except the patronizing way they refer to their customers -- really, there should be a "Naming Police".<br /><br />I tend to think of these transaction-based organizations as "co-ops". People join them to lower the average cost of things they'd buy anyone (e.g., insurance, supplies, education/training, advertising, etc.). Again, these are valuable and I'm a happy AAA "subscriber".<br /><br />The second is the more classic association that exists to have some impact outside of itself.<br /><br />The other important distinction is whether or not the dues-paying member (at least one class of membership) gets a vote in matters of importance in the organization.<br /><br />Perhaps another way to think about organizations is the difference between "renting" and "buying". If I get a vote for my membership dues, I'm buying something. I've made a deeper commitment to the overall success of the organization -- to the future of a profession or a line of business. If I don't get a vote, I don't have the same commitment to the organization -- it's more like I'm renting.<br /><br />Just a second .... okay, the bulls' eye is firmly in place... let the arrows fly ;-)Michael LoBuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00463140398543243858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-9556356103712412612013-02-20T09:25:24.858-05:002013-02-20T09:25:24.858-05:00Greg, it seems to me that your AAA example exacerb...Greg, it seems to me that your AAA example exacerbates the point that associations must evolve continually to a new, and updated, value proposition in order to keep members. As you mention that discounts may not be enough to keep you a member...so it goes with associations. If they cannot prove the "ROI of Membership" then how can they expect members to stay?Ed Rigsbeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07887061540738957386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-9067990528227604032013-02-11T11:23:32.101-05:002013-02-11T11:23:32.101-05:00The Aristotle quote came out of a book I was thumb...The Aristotle quote came out of a book I was thumbing through from my son's masters program. I wish that I had the time to read more. Tony Rossellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05288238496792646049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-19681400896150404692013-02-08T09:29:11.277-05:002013-02-08T09:29:11.277-05:00Thanks Jeffrey -- I didn't mean to sound like ...Thanks Jeffrey -- I didn't mean to sound like I was disagreeing with you. In fact, I think we are fundamentally agreeing here that people can connect easier than before, without the aid of associations ... so while personal connections made through associations are important, it is not no longer an exclusive realm for associations to bring together like-minded people. (There is even a social network now that connects people through ideas and conversations independent of the normal social trappings of name, organization, gender, etc: http://www.socialnumber.com/.) <br /><br />As to dues as pure financial support of something because you believe in, I think the external landscape is changing so much that the assumption for that to continue is challenged in the professional association space. The competition for money is increasing (just think about debt as a measuring stick) and rising awareness of "return on investment" influences too. But a changing landscape does not mean that it is not a still factor and that it won't continue to be a factor. <br /><br />With all that said, I suspect we both agree with the broad observation reinforced by ASAE's Decision to Join: supporting the larger good AND providing tangible benefits are both important in the professional association model. The challenge, however, is to make sure your larger good and tangible benefits are still in fact adding value to alternative of members doing similar things on their own. Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-72120451441077941322013-02-08T07:51:01.096-05:002013-02-08T07:51:01.096-05:00I don't think I suggested that the charity can...I don't think I suggested that the charity can be sustained, nor did I equate a "cause" with "trying to change the world." And while people are indeed the critical element of connection those connections can now obviously be made more easily without any contribution from the association as a convener. That's what led my to my charitable contribution metaphor: I pay dues because I want to financially support something I believe in (what previously we thought of as the financial model primarily for foundations) as opposed to I pay dues to an organization almost exclusively to acquire certain tangible benefits of membership.Jeffrey Cufaudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14552484936192602888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-69489066707254226422013-02-07T23:42:07.363-05:002013-02-07T23:42:07.363-05:00Very much agree David. Goals that matter help ali...Very much agree David. Goals that matter help align the Board, staff, volunteers, members, and partners on achieving the same outcomes. They can be inspiring, and can help attract and retain people who care about the goal to the organization. But I'm sure you'd agree that just having the goals isn't enough in itself -- you must show progress, and communicate that progress too. And need a sign that goals matter? Just look at how for-profit companies are tying themselves to larger goals as evidenced by the rise of cause marketing: http://www.hoxworth.org/about/cause_marketing.htmlGreg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-80607718633010002212013-02-07T23:36:12.176-05:002013-02-07T23:36:12.176-05:00Wow Tony -- the breadth of your reading is impress...Wow Tony -- the breadth of your reading is impressive -- Aristotle, de Tocqueville and the good Dr. Seuss! I enjoyed your post.Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-4147905299548978512013-02-07T23:32:47.524-05:002013-02-07T23:32:47.524-05:00Thanks Cynthia -- That's a great question for ...Thanks Cynthia -- That's a great question for associations to ask, especially of not-yet-members: "What can we do to make your life easier?" <br /><br />And funny story on AAA ... saved my wife enough times in college that we learned that they will eventually send you a letter notifying you that you will not be towed next time! Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-38616985726677624902013-02-07T23:30:00.009-05:002013-02-07T23:30:00.009-05:00Thanks Shelly! If only I could have found the rig...Thanks Shelly! If only I could have found the right song track to add ... love how you interweave pop culture with your posts ... all I've got is a picture of a Plymouth Volare station wagon! Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-36492428597679640732013-02-07T23:28:03.380-05:002013-02-07T23:28:03.380-05:00Thanks Jeffrey. I agree that there is an element ...Thanks Jeffrey. I agree that there is an element of faith and being part of wanting to change the world that contributes too. But I think it is unsustainable to expect charity on a regular basis, especially for professional associations and societies. But yes, important not to reduce association membership to a pure economic transaction - associations are made of people, and as Shelly pointed out, those are often the most meaningful elements of connection. Greg Melia, CAEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922347488681669942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-61316290437263023772013-02-07T17:48:04.249-05:002013-02-07T17:48:04.249-05:00Having goals that matter matters more than ever. Having goals that matter matters more than ever. David Gammelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218762136271737296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-10465968814694562362013-02-07T17:45:38.655-05:002013-02-07T17:45:38.655-05:00I will be looking forward to you upcoming posts on...I will be looking forward to you upcoming posts on this topic. Related to the history of membership, I also wrote up some ideas on this. I called it the "membership gene". Here is a link to that post: <br /><br />http://membershipmarketing.blogspot.com/2011/09/is-there-membership-gene.htmlTony Rossellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05288238496792646049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-88052286145777501982013-02-07T17:42:50.409-05:002013-02-07T17:42:50.409-05:00Great examples Greg! I used to love getting TripT...Great examples Greg! I used to love getting TripTiks and the AAA guidebooks to plan for all the fun out-of-way stops on trips.<br /><br />Now I don't need them.<br /><br />Although I do still love being able to have a tow-truck save me thanks to AAA. It helps keep my life easy.<br /><br />What can associations do to make my life easier?<br /><br />Can't wait to see your next post in the series!<br /><br />CynthiaCynthia D'Amourhttp://www.peoplepowerunlimited.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-62355771340574922052013-02-07T17:34:36.328-05:002013-02-07T17:34:36.328-05:00This is a great analysis Greg and thanks so much f...This is a great analysis Greg and thanks so much for the shout-out....I am looking very forward to your next posts on the topic! Love the discussion.....:Dassociationforecasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03424401941462278883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-55454396816904250662013-02-07T17:33:39.024-05:002013-02-07T17:33:39.024-05:00" it is not as hard to do many things for you..." it is not as hard to do many things for yourself as it used to be."<br /><br />Bingo.<br /><br />At some point, I think continuing belong to an association is more akin to making a charitable contribution because you believe in the cause than it is tied to any direct exchange of tangible value.Jeffrey Cufaudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14552484936192602888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-82814479016726663342010-02-02T18:41:11.659-05:002010-02-02T18:41:11.659-05:00I could not agree more Greg. Thanks for the kind ...I could not agree more Greg. Thanks for the kind words. Hope you and others will go to our Home Page and click on the FREE articles we have to offer as well.Steve Haineshttp://www.hainescentre.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752589453646670417.post-29533864418103487722010-01-12T06:02:52.127-05:002010-01-12T06:02:52.127-05:00I didn't know you were blogging. How great. ...I didn't know you were blogging. How great. Thanks for the mention, and for providing a nice list of relevant links.Jeffrey Cufaudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14552484936192602888noreply@blogger.com