Your nonprofit association used to be at the top of the charts. It was the go-to organization for information, education and networking in your industry, cause or profession. Your annual meetings registration list read like a Who's Who of those in the profession. The movers and shakers touted your benefits. Yet in the past couple of years, something has changed. Your membership declined. Your membership retention rates decreased. Your annual meetings have reached a plateau. Few purchase your … [Read more...]
An Association Leader Should…
All living systems, including associations, go through five predictable life cycles: Birth Growth (formation, adolescence) Maturity Decline Death Healthy systems work to avoid decline and eventual death by using the wisdom and calm of maturity to plan a rebirth. Unhealthy systems avoid change as long as possible, often to their own demise. Leadership often needs to step back from their customary role of being agents for members, promoting members' interests. They need to become … [Read more...]
Signs Of Healthy And Unhealthy Associations
Associations are complex systems. Many players--board members, members, sponsors, staff, volunteer leadership--shape its up and down seasons. A jumble of external and internal factors affects the association as well. The Life Cycle Of Associations All living systems, including associations, go through predictable life cycles: Birth Growth (formation, adolescence) Maturity Decline Death Healthy systems work to avoid decline and eventual death by using the wisdom and calm of maturity to … [Read more...]
