Delivering our offer design in the most cost-effective way will be key, hence finding effective and alternate delivery systems will be the critical success factor. It definitely makes a lot of sense for an Association to focusedly enhance its participation on the internet, which is today the primary source of rapidly flowing information. There is actually a whole new world waiting there.
We rarely see membership renewals. Some Associations have tackled this problem by removing the concept of the annual fee… but I’m not sure if that’s intended at addressing the problem or distancing from it. Student memberships rarely translate to full memberships… I guess they suddenly fail to see its worth. Is it because they never belonged there in the first place?
I also see a great amount of solemn-ness (read seriousness) surrounding an Indian association today, that probably comes from the fact that we treat ourselves as serious people doing serious stuff… so the fun element goes entirely missing. I walk into an Association’s office, and I stiffen up automatically. Selling Liquefied Natural Gas or developing Software is very serious business too, but the offices of ExxonMobil or Infosys are fun places where ideas are flowing openly. How will we think freely, innovate on membership services or find newer ways of attracting members in an environment as stiff as a magistrate’s office?
Whether we are conducting research or representing our members before the legislature, or even developing standards of practice and ethical codes, a lot remains to be done. The job of an Association Executive can sometimes get lonely, and loneliness doesn’t help when there’s a lot to do. Ever thought of networking up?