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I visit a number of blogs that aren’t association related, because I’m geeky that way. This morning I was surprised to come across a very interesting case study in the ways association members can use Web 2.0 to change how things are done.

John Scalzi, a writer and a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, recently received the ballot for the upcoming SFWA elections. SFWA (like many associations) apparently presents members with a slate of candidates on their ballots, along with an option for write-ins. Scalzi is unhappy with the slate and where he thinks those leaders would take SFWA, so he is running for president as a write-in candidate.

It’s a great example of the power of social media and how they change the entire dynamic at membership organizations. Scalzi has a very popular, well-trafficked blog; he doesn’t need access to an association magazine or newsletter to communicate with other members about his vision for what SFWA should be. Your members don’t, either. Imagine how powerful it could be if all of us tapped into the power of social media to build a vision for the future together with our members.

(The comment thread following Scalzi’s original post is long, but it is interesting to see association members and volunteers discussing questions about what an association should be, what membership requirements should be set, what associations should do for their members, and other big-picture issues.)