Rejuvenesce(TM)

The foundation of many associations is its local chapters or local units.  Today they face a significant challenge: declining participation and volunteerism. However, associations can, and most likely should, reinvent their local chapters to better serve their members and stay relevant. The traditional role of local chapters has shifted. Previously, chapters were crucial for disseminating information. With the advent of technology, roles need to be redefined. Associations can ensure that their chapters deliver value and impact across the network without over-taxing limited resources from the parent organization. They can set standards for quality and provide services that support the chapters, thus helping themselves align with the overall mission and goals of the association. Before redefining the role of the chapters, it's vital to understand their current role; and accept that role as fact.   Too many leaders view chapters as they existed in the past.   While com...

Hold on to your hats! Here's yet another spin on the roller coaster of association management. This time, I'm zoning in on an alarming wave that's been rolling through 2023 – a notable ebb in volunteer involvement. This trend is seeping into nearly every nook and cranny of our sector. So, what's our next move? Read on, I’ll tell you. Volunteerism, that sturdy backbone of associations, seems to be doing a rather worrying disappearing act. Fresh off the press from a U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps survey, the figures tell us that volunteer participation slid down by a whole 7% between 2019 and 2021. Now that's the steepest dive since the survey took flight in 2002. "But Nathan, we're an anomaly... we're faring just fine!" Some of you might confidently proclaim. My eyebrows arch in doubt when I say, "Really now?" I'd advise you to take a closer, more critical look at your circumstances. Sure, we could wallow in despair and imagine a fu...

Here's a bone-chilling question that's probably nudged you awake at night: is our association on a slow but sure path to oblivion? The power to identify the harbingers of doom and to comprehend the process of decline can serve as your association's safety net. It offers an opportunity for timely action, possibly swerving from the path of destruction. In this discourse, we'll explore a fresh perspective – the Six-Step Association Life-Death Journey. This novel model unveils the evolution of an association in six distinct stages, providing valuable insights to assess your association's current standing and the necessary course of action. The Six-Step Association Life-Death Journey The descent of an association into oblivion is rarely a swift calamity. Instead, it's a subtle progression that mirrors the life cycle of a biological organism. Our Six-Step Association Life-Death Journey captures this progression: 1. Pause in Progress: Here, the surface appears calm – c...

In life and work, it is vital to perceive situations as they truly are. This is particularly true for volunteer-driven associations where perception and reality often differ. This matters because without the right amount of continuous change, associations lose members fast. Here are two examples of perception vs. reality: Perception: Chapters bring in the most members every year. Reality: Chapters rarely bring in any new members. Perception: A large association board helps disseminate information. Reality: Most board members do not do anything but attend board meetings. When volunteer leaders possess a clear understanding of the situation, they make better decisions, create realistic plans, and anticipate challenges. However, acknowledging reality can be a struggle, especially for long-tenured volunteer leaders who are deeply invested in their cause and those who fear loss. This is where staff members step in, equipped with the knowledge and tools to bridge this perception gap. So, let...