Membership Leaders Share: The Qualities of an Ideal Board Member
Organizations have different needs, but after asking a few of my clients about the qualities a ‘perfect’ board member would possess, it’s obvious that there are ways board members best serve their organizations. Be sure to catch the special 3-part series on Board Development I’ll be hosting over on The Joy of Membership Podcast, and check back here for my reflections on those episodes.
ANNOUNCING: Transform Your Board Training + New Member Care Software
2020 was, in a word, unexpected. As we all hope for a 2021 that is a bit “less,” I'm sharing with you today a couple of upcoming happenings in The Joy of Membership world that I *truly* think will make a difference in your organization in a big way!
Let Your Membership Software Do The Work
Wouldn't it be nice if ONE software could do ALL the things for your organization?
*Spoiler* – It's not only possible, it should be the standard!
I'm sharing my top 10 list of things a membership software can do for your organization, as well as sharing my experience with a specific membership software.
4 Lessons I’ve Learned from a Decade of Membership Tech Projects
We all love what technology can do for us. But when it's time to look at, implement, and USE technology within our organizations, the word daunting comes to mind. Anyone else?
Today's blog connects to the latest episode of The Joy of Membership podcast, where I talk with Michele Clancy about the AMAZING things technology has done for her role in her organization.
I'm laying out four lessons I've learned when it comes to choosing the right tech for your membership…and after a decade of working with organizations and non-profits, these lessons hold pretty true for all!
4 Ways Technology can Build Relationships with Members
While 2020 has shown us the importance of real-life, face-to-face interactions, I'd also like to point out that technology has been one of the only ways we've been able to stay in touch with our friends and loved ones.
Using technology within your organization not only makes your life easier (think automation, triggers, SOPs), but it can also enrich the experience your members receive and deepen their connections to you and the community.
Did You Miss the Membership Growth Report?
Wild Apricot published their report on Membership Growth for 2019. While some of that statistics looked discouraging, when I was asked to review the report I found that my outlook was much more positive. Read about my takeaways from the annual report and how that impacts your organization moving forward.
How Long Does It Take to Break through a Problem?
You can experience really big break-throughs in growth challenges when you commit to focus and decisiveness. Projects tend to expand in order to fill up as much time as you allow them to take. Read how I, and other industry professionals, have found a way to solve that problem for organizations!
How to Spin Disruption into Something That's Positive for Members
In these difficult times, it really feels like people need their communities and industry advocates more than ever.
This is encouraging for groups and organizations, but it also means these same groups and organizations should be working in the face of recent disruptions to meet their members where they most need.
Being the Best-Kept Secret is Not Great for Your Membership
How do people find your organization? Do you show up where they're looking? Is your value apparent right off the bat?
Making your organization and your value widely known is key to maintaining the health of your membership.
Upleveling the Perceived Value of What You Offer Members
Although looks aren't everything, the way your organization presents itself from a visual and design standpoint can make a difference to how potential and current members view what you have to offer. Check out the three things I find most valuable with my clients when it comes to a design standpoint.
How to Create More Powerful Connections Between Members
Most membership organizations are gathered around common interests. But as an organization leader, it is your objective to create powerful connections among your members to foster a strong community of likeminded peers.
Offering Certification Programs as a Value-Add for Membership
As an organization, you most likely are constantly on the look-out for ways to bring true value to your members. One way to do that is by offering certification programs. But in my experience, there are a few best-practice guidelines to follow when developing a member certification program to really pack a punch with your members and prospective members!
Building an Experience for Older Members
Do you find your older members seem to fade into the background of your organization? If so, it may be time to reflect on how your organization creates a space to actively encourage participation from your more experienced members!
Balancing the Push with the Pause
When it comes to making systematic change, it's important to recognize the impact of your efforts while also being able to take a step back and reevaluate the process and your goals.
4 Ways to Train Your Members without Webinars
Are you familiar with the term “Zoom fatigue?” Many people are growing weary of web conferencing as they spend all day on these platforms due to COVID-19 work-from-home arrangements. Now, organizations are searching for different ways to deliver training content to members. Read about four options that popped into my mind about how organizations can deliver valuable trainings in new ways.
Reading the Crystal Ball: Helping Members By Anticipating Change
Anticipating what lies ahead is key factor in delivering member satisfaction. By predicting possible and probably changes and implementing tools for your members to use to combat those changes, you are setting your members (and your organization) up for success!
How Comfortable Are You with Radical Change?
There are some practices our organizations continue carrying on, even when the purpose no longer serves us. Instead of hanging on to the “sacred cow,” change may be the best answer for growing your organization.
Being Engaged with Members Is NOT the Same as Attracting Engagement
Engagement is not a foreign topic to most who are in the business of growing memberships. Many organizations struggle to understand what their audience wants and how to deliver it.
Do Your Members GIVE Value or Just Expect to RECEIVE It?
How do your members experience your organization? Do they anxiously await your next resource to hit their inbox then run? Or do they have the chance to contribute and give back to the organization? Last week's podcast guest Evelyn Green shared her thoughts on how creating a two-way relationship builds better community within an organization.
Have You Seen My Dog Dance? (and What That Tells You About Value)
My Brittany does the cutest little dance when he wants attention (or wants something we're holding). Although your members may not be dancing, there are plenty of signs they give for wanting to tell you what they value about your organization!
Think Wild Apricot is JUST for associations and nonprofits? Think again!
If you thought Wild Apricot membership software was *just* for associations and nonprofits, it might be time to rethink that idea! Scott Lollar, Founder of Consulting4Contractors wanted an easy-to-maintain site that wasn't constrained by the structure of course...
Virtual Events- Survey Results and a Creative Solution
Virtual events may be membership organization's best option for the foreseeable future. While this can raise concerns when it comes to fundraising, let your imagination run wild! Read about how one organization is supporting their cause and still planning to raise funds.
Post-It Notes & New Possibilities
Planning and strategizing are part of any organization! I got the chance to catch up with a client about a former project we worked on, and it brought back memories of my Post-It Note planning process!
Fundraising for Membership Organizations
For some of you, the word “fundraising” might make you feel a bit squeamish. However, finding donor support is crucial for your organization. Read about how to encourage organization fundraising without stepping on your members' toes!
Congratulations to the Needlework Guild of Minnesota on Their Successful Wild Apricot Launch
Our team was proud to support the Needlework Guild of Minnesota as they navigated their way onto the Wild Apricot platform. You can see the new site at needleworkguildmn.org. I think my personal favorite things about the NGM site are: 1) the beautiful bright color...
How I Spent My Birthday (and Why That’s Good for You)
Some birthdays get celebrated more than others. This year, my milestone birthday was also the release of a milestone piece of my own membership support business – The Joy of Membership Podcast!
3 Reasons Why More Marketing Isn't the Answer to Membership Growth
Are you familiar with the term “Zoom fatigue?” Many people are growing weary of web conferencing as they spend all day on these platforms due to COVID-19 work-from-home arrangements. Now, organizations are searching for different ways to deliver training content to members. Read about four options that popped into my mind about how organizations can deliver valuable trainings in new ways.
Don’t You Just LOVE a Great Makeover?
Ready for an organization makeover? It will be coming soon! Give your feedback on which program would be most effective as a 30-day training!
THAT is a Hair-En-Fuego Kind of Problem!
Every organization faces bumps in the road. But knowing which bumps need to be steamrolled out and which bumps you can drive over a little while longer is crucial to membership growth. Read about 3 urgent membership problems that should be addressed right away.
“Bazinga!” & Your Member Experience
Sheldon Cooper's catchphrase also doubles as the pattern our members can sometimes follow within our organization's funnel: Unpredictable and unusual! Read about how to remedy that with a strategic system.