Many membership based organizations have seen their membership number decline in recent years. Yet, giving time and money is on the rise with many online and newer organizations. This topic discusses some of the trends and possible solutions such as being less membership focused and more value focused, welcoming non-members but changing higher fees and building a strong community relationship.

1. Membership in the Current Age How Associations, Non-Profits and Service Clubs Can Build Membership in a Digital Age. J.R. Atkins Author, Speaker & Consultant on Social Media & Mobile Apps jratkins@SomethingDifferentCompanies.com

2. Membership Decline Many membership based organizations have seen their membership number decline in recent years. Yet, “on-line giving” and social media based activism are on the rise. What’s going on? Have we changed that much?

3. Participation vs. Membership Many people are willing to participate but unwilling to become a member Why? Long Term Commitment Larger Financial Decision Less Corporate support or reimbursement So many competing choices On-Line, current topics, shifting trends, ...

4. Case Study: WAC vs. AMA World Affairs Council American Marketing Association Why? Personal Needs Been there done that Membership has it’s privileges Pay for Access

5. What is your Mission? Every kind of group is re-evaluating how they “do business” Member Engagement”– Keep the ones you have New Member Programs – Special Offers But, what do you really provide and how do people get it?

6. What is your Mission? Education Service Connecting with Others Promote a cause, industry, … Fun, Party, Splash & Glitz

8. Recommendation Be less “Membership” focused and more “value” focused. Don’t push membership Do invite them back Member Value Proposition Build an On-line community If you had to survive as a “virtual organization” what would you do differently Feedback, feedback, feedback

9. Recommendation Act like a Company: Grow, Merge or Close What is working, keep doing it What is not working, cut it off Recruit influential leaders (special offer) Be willing to Change What if you had to start over, how would you to do it today Do you own assets that hold you back, are there members that need to move on, or how would new thinking change your organization Listen

10. Resources Getting Naked: Patrick Lencioni Crush It: Gary Vaynerchuk ReWork: Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson Ground Swell: Josh Bernoff & Charlene Li Blue Ocean Strategy: W Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne $1500 Assessment