The 10 Commandments of Association Membership Success

The 10 Commandments of Association Membership Success

The Association Member Attraction, Retention & Engagement Credo: 

“It is Our Members Who Make the Difference”

By Michael Bergdahl, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Leader & Author

Recently, I presented a keynote speech to the Florida Society of Association Executives. I shared these 10 member service commandments with them and I thought every association should embrace these as well. Times are changing for associations and the days of only providing 12 monthly magazines, some lobbying efforts and an annual meeting aren't enough for continued success going forward. The point is that past success of an association is no guarantee of future success. It is important for associations to never forget, it's not about the association itself; it must always be about the members! The members ARE the association!  These 10 Commandments of Association Membership Success are the key to Attracting, Retaining & Engaging Association Members:

 I. Members are the most important people in every association.

II. Members are not dependent on the association; the association is dependent upon them.

III. Members are not interruptions of our work; they are the purpose for our association’s work.

IV. Members do the association a favor when they contact the association’s staff for help or support.

V. Member service is our job; we are not doing them a favor by answering their calls, getting back to them, or following up on their requests.

VI. Members are the reason the association exists; members are not outsiders, they are the association.

VII. Members are supposed to bring us their ideas, concerns, questions, and even complaints; members are not people with whom we argue or match wits.

VIII. Members are deserving of the most prompt, courteous and attentive treatment the association staff can give them.

IX. Members are the association’s ‘boss’ and it is through their ongoing commitment and support that the association existed in the past and remains viable in the present; members are the key to the association’s future.

X. Members are the lifeblood of this and every other association and without them the association would not exist; association executives, the board of directors and association staff must have a member focused strategy.

   Contact Michael Bergdahl for a one page description of this keynote speech:

 mbergdahl@aol.com   - - - www.michaelbergdahl.net  - - -

  Michael Bergdahl:  Keynote Speaker, Author (5 Books) & Workshops

Michael Bergdahl

International Keynote Speaker, HR Executive & Author of 6 Books

6y

Thanks Farrell …

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Farrell Mabry

Senior Business Advisor 🇺🇸🇮🇹

6y

Michael, great points ! Thanks for sharing.

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Michael Bergdahl

International Keynote Speaker, HR Executive & Author of 6 Books

6y

Thanks Adrienne . . . it was great meeting everyone at the FSAE meeting in Florida!

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Adrienne Bryant, CAE

Certified Association Executive | Credentialing | Membership | Digital Experience | Professional Development | Success Architect | CAE

6y

Thanks for sharing your insights with our members of the Florida Society of Association Executives.

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