29 December 1999
Do you remember why you are a member (and leader) of your association? What did your association do this year that supported this memory? Did the association communicate this success to members to help them remember why they are members and should participate in association activities?
How long does it takes for you to remember something that tells you why you are a member of your association? Has your association used its successes to help members remember why they are members? To help gain new members?
There are many different kinds of success an association can achieve:
> Major accomplishment: such as getting a piece of legislation passed
> Major event: such as a successful annual convention or special event or meeting.
> Warm Fuzzies: such as getting together in comradeship and fellowship or even just being able to say "I belong."
What has your association done over the last year to define itself and its purpose? Let me know! I'd like to let others know about your association and perhaps to provide ideas that others can use to help lead their own associations.
>> a thought to consider:
"Injustice, poverty, slavery, ignorance - these may be cured by reform or revolution. But men do not live only to be fighting evils. They live by positive goals, individual and collective, a vast variety of them, seldom predictable, at times incompatible." (Isaiah Berlin. _Four Essays on Liberty_)
>> a resource: http://www.associationcentral.com/
"Welcome to AssociationCentral.com! You've found the world's premier Web portal for all things association-related. We consolidate information from thousands of professional, nonprofit and special-interest organizations.
If you're a representative of an organization, proceed directly to our Association Center to register and to start enjoying the privileges of membership now.
If you're a consumer, start from our homepage to explore the wealth of information, products and services associations have to offer.
What you see on our site today is the first step of many to come. Thanks for visiting us .. we hope you return often!"
>> Suggestions for making the most of a social business function (from _Association Trends_).
- Prepare as if it were a meeting or conference
- Have an appropriate toast, anecdote, or funny story ready if called upon. - Limit yourself to one drink
- Avoid taboo subjects like religion, politics, or sensitive issues - Dress appropriately
- Let your ears work harder than your mouth
- Remember to focus on the person with whom you are socializing - Beprepared to hand out your business cards
- Follow through on promises made
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