Who's Driving the Bus? Tips on How to Become a Member-Driven Association

Do you work with or belong to an association with any of the following? 

• Members who don't know or care about what is happening in your association
• Boards and committees with the same faces year after year
• A lot of time spent putting out fires instead of accomplishing results
• Confusion as to what your association should be doing and where it is headed

If so, your association probably looks something like this:

  

Many associations operate like traditional organizations, forgetting that their members are the real owners in the association world.  

Have you ever thought about turning the triangle upside down?

Associations that turn that triangle upside down mean business about putting their members in the driver's seat.  Some of the characteristics of member-based organizations include:

• Members that are excited about what's going on in the association because they have helped to set its direction and priorities
• Clear vision, mission and goals
• Leadership able to set aside personal agendas and focus on achieving the associations and objectives
• Active member participation in helping the association get to where it needs to go

Every association is different and turning the triangle upside down is no easy feat. Some of the key elements to keep in mind during the process include the following:

1. Get member feedback about what the association is doing well, what it needs to improve and what it's priorities should be...before your next strategic planning meeting
2. Sit down with the association leadership and develop a strategic plan that puts member needs and priorites front-and-centre
3. Communicate regularly with your members to show them that: a) you've listened to what they told you; b) that your acting on their feedback; and, c) that you are getting results

So...what shape is your association in? What are you doing to put your members in the driver's seat?

Our team is expert in the areas of member-based research and strategic planning for associations.  Please feel free to contact me if you need help turning the triangle upside-down in your association.

Or, if you are in Winnipeg, Edmonton or Calgary next week, join us for breakfast at CSAE's Association Excellence Series where we will facilitate an interactive workshop on listening to your members.

 Flickr photo credit: craiglea123