Comments on Association Subculture: Peace Sells....But Who's Buying - Association Memb...

Dr. Bill - Thank you for stopping by and leaving ...

2012-01-08T14:47:31.078-08:00

Dr. Bill -

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I agree with you that we should make every attempt to include as many voices as possible in our endeavors.....

I appreciate your readership....

I think Jeffrey is missing the point - a mandatory...

2012-01-07T08:07:22.532-08:00

I think Jeffrey is missing the point - a mandatory monetary payment precludes countless numbers of people from adding their intellectual contributions because a.) they don't have the money to "pay to play" or b.) they chose to cast their limited dollar votes in another direction. On the other hand, payment of a social nature, while perhaps time consuming - is a payment that anyone can afford should they chose to invest their time and energy in that particular cause and or discussion.

Fundamentally, we all can afford to commit to a cause when the payment is free will. However, when the payment is monetary - many people who would contribute can't and we end up limiting diversity of thought and promoting groupthink. As often a humanly possible - every man, woman, or child, should have the opportunity to contribute their opinions and ideas to insure that the intellectual engine that drives the force for change is fueled by richness in thought the underpinnings of which are manifested in diversity and real freedom of speech.

Deirdre - Thanks for the comment. I think the mo...

2009-12-11T08:46:19.571-08:00

Deirdre -

Thanks for the comment. I think the movements we are seeing with these smaller clubs are waves just kind of lapping up on the beach and storms are coming.

It's all just food for thought, we have to be able to look at alternatives and keep our minds open juuuuuust in case.....

Shelly

I can't help but think about the Social Media ...

2009-12-11T07:05:11.083-08:00

I can't help but think about the Social Media Club model that's working well in many cities. Sacramento has one that started right after I moved away. I'm involved in the Raleigh one. It's free to "belong," i.e. be on their email list. The monthly meeting is free. Sponsors pay for some light snacks and beer/wine. A host provides the room. There's networking with peers and education.

I think the ideas you're talking about could work well with a professional society where many of the traditional benefits can have a pricetag attached to it (subsidized or not by sponsorships). It would be a bit more challenging with trade associations supporting a large lobbying staff, although companies could still support those efforts financially, if not, those efforts go away.

The challenges would definitely be worth the rewards. A great post to get us thinking. Thanks.

Sage - Thanks for dropping by and sharing your pe...

2009-12-08T14:05:53.373-08:00

Sage -

Thanks for dropping by and sharing your perspective. I think the dynamic definitely shifts if you are in an association that has (for lack of a better term off the top of my head) kind of "cornered the market" on "having" to be a member vs the "please come join our party" type....

Great comment :D

Shelly

PS - it's hard work to showcase my musical taste but its SO worth it ;) - rock on friend!

BTW, way to work in a Megadeath reference! ;)

2009-12-08T13:50:50.846-08:00

BTW, way to work in a Megadeath reference! ;)

I work for an association in which membership is b...

2009-12-08T13:49:29.176-08:00

I work for an association in which membership is basically required to participate actively in the industry. Dues fund the association's activities in a major way.

In the past, I worked for an association where we had to market the heck out of ourselves to draw dues-paying members. Trade shows were the major source of revenue.

Both associations have passionate members that volunteer their time generously as well as members who never participate in a darn thing.

Dues or no dues, you might just end up with about the same number of passionate people engaged as you have now. They may not be the same people, but I don't think the numbers would change drastically.

Each industry has a certain number of people dedicated to making things happen and networking with like-minded folks. They pay dues and channel their energy into the association or find other ways to contribute.

Cynthia - It sure would be interesting to see wha...

2009-12-08T10:56:04.977-08:00

Cynthia -

It sure would be interesting to see what kind of competitive environment would be set up between the somebody somebodies and the "upstarts"...

Thanks for the comment!

Shelly

Shelly, Even if the professional association worl...

2009-12-08T09:23:00.637-08:00

Shelly,

Even if the professional association world shifted to free to play, entrepreneurs would begin (continue) to build exclusive communities (pay to play) for those who want to be someone with somebodies - rather than part of total open access group.

It will never be a total free for all.

That said, would be interesting to see how it all panned out.

Thanks for the food for thought. Cynthia

Jeffrey - Great point, sir. There is always a pr...

2009-12-08T08:52:15.596-08:00

Jeffrey -

Great point, sir. There is always a price to be paid whether financial or social to access any group.

Even in the theory of eliminating dues, I'm suggesting we "re-route" revenue through other avenues, so eventually a price will be exacted. I think what I am focused on is the concept that the "price" be more carefully targeted to what people find meaningful in order to support the legitimacy of the investment.

Shelly

Ah, but we always have had to "buy" our ...

2009-12-08T08:33:55.502-08:00

Ah, but we always have had to "buy" our way into groups in one way or another except maybe at the very, very youngest ages at children. Child psychology and organizational development has long documented the way groups make us "pay" through conforming to group norms, seeking peer acceptance or approval, etc. For professional associations that see themselves through the lens of a guild, that type of investment will probably always be required to some extent.