Acronym

Enjoyed the reflections (particularly on the school schedule - why is that not changed yet??) and more so the questions. We are working with two associations right now that are really testing new models and another one recently that is turning components and volunteerism upside down. The trouble is that since all this testing is so new, folks are reluctant to share. It might be the concern that if I share too soon and it fails I will look bad. But there's also the concern from "onlookers" that if its not completed and a success, its probably too early for us to listen.

I'd suggest that to overcome these concerns, we need incubators - places where we test new models. By the we, I am thinking about association profession globally.

Barring that, individual associations do in many ways have built-in incubators in their chapters and other member communities just waiting to be tapped. I know at Mariner, if one our management clients national org reached out to us to try out new models and supported that, we'd jump at the chance. We know that the cumbersome model for chapters is really making it difficult for many to succeed. We are however tied to meeting specific requirements that limit our ability to test ideas.

Be interesting to hear from associations who have untied their hands.

Great post Diane!

I think at so many associations (all of them?) the inertial resistance to change is so great that it will take crisis for it to actually happen. Frankly, we don't feel that crisis is upon us—and I buy that, I'm not seeing associations just falling apart at the seams. There are those, and I'm one of them, though, that think crisis is looming. And that crisis might just be the complete obliteration of the existing organization. Associations in the pure sense of the term will, of course, survive these crises—people are always going to choose to find and associate with others that share their interests.

I think it's arguable whether or not such a crisis will come to affect some or all associations. I'm in the camp that says it will. I believe that crisis (or maybe it's better to say "crises" because I think we're not talking about a single event or even a chain of events; each association is going to experience it in a unique way) is well into the formation stage. I believe people are fundamentally changing what and how they value the things that associations typically provide, especially this model of membership as we understand it, but other things, too.

How sudden will the crisis begin? Will associations be able to evolve their way through it (rather than revolutionize)? I don't know.

Why do I believe this? I don't know of much in the way of actual data (maybe readers could point to studies). I believe it because I see how the radical price of free and new consumption technology and practices are causing havoc in other sectors and I don't think associations are at all immune from it.

I think it's great that kids have summer off. They have an opportunity for different experiences - like camp, sports, or classes that aren't available in school - and they can go on family vacations. Many schools have no air conditioning so summer attendance would be unbearable.

Sometimes, old structures still have a use.

I am convinced of one thing but not a secon thing.

Regarding the second thing, I remain unconvinced that the new social media and other technologies will fundamentally impact the mission, structure, and programs offered by most associations. It concerns me that we are passively adopting many technologies rather than proactively creating those that support our strategic visions.

Regarding the first thing, I agree with Diane’s school analogy. We continue to attend conferences and workshops offering yet more quick fixes to resolve long-festering organizational dysfunctions and frustrations rather than consider the systemic changes that might render them moot in a heartbeat. Our own breakthrough occurred when we adopted the Policy Governance© Model which allowed me to finally, after nearly four decades in this business, become a full-charge CEO. Having presented it as an example of systemic change a number of times now, I note no rush to embrace it or craft alternative models.

Alas, like the scrambling inhabitants of an ant hill, perhaps it is not within our abilities as mere humans to proactively and bravely question the status quo.

People.... we are in the largest transfer of demographics, information and technology in our history. I see so many associations who are fighting the transfer and refusing to embrace change and social technologies. The change is awesome and the social technologies can engage the new generation of potential members and help give the current baby boomer members a new competitive advantage.

Regarding being non-profit... the reason we are non-profits as oppose to for-profits is because there are numerous benefits... such as no taxes. HELLO!!!

Our association, implemented an actionable, executable and measurable strategic plan 5 years as the association was hitting a low point. One of the key items was to be "open minded" about every program opportunity that came our way no matter what the change or technology needed to make it happen. Another words, the old ways of doing things could not be protected because we didn't like change or didn't understand technology.

In 5 years, our association's net member surplus has grown 465%, our members are spending 25% more per member with the association and the excitement in our association is at an all time high just after a horrible economy. Would you want to be a for-profit with a 465% growth in member surplus? Never...

Social Media played a huge role in that excitement because it connected the 60% of members who don't attend meetings and also connected the 1st and 2nd tier managers of companies who can't afford to bring them to meetings due to budgets.

Innovation, embracing change and implementation of social technology played a huge role in our association preparing ourselves for the future and any association that sits on a traditional model of governance puts themselves at great risk.

I have been watching associations sit on the sideline and talk about being innovative for 5 years and most are still talking about it. I'm with the IBM commercial, STOP TALKING and START DOING. It leads to 465% growth in your association.

We must change from being governors to business savvy CEO's.