American Academy of Dermatology. The
membership committee has recommended a feasibility study to see if it
should be extended to all international
members (not just those in developing
countries).”
Most associations offer deep discounted or complimentary rates to students. Others offer free student
e-memberships. The student doesn’t
receive any information or publications
in print, but is able to take advantage of
the association’s members-only areas to
access the journal. Since most students
already are deeply involved in interconnectivity and communities on the Web,
this provides a nearly seamless transition
to association life.
option probably is not going to appeal to
them. However, if you have a strong
international membership or one that is
technologically astute, an e-membership
may be an ideal way to grow — meeting
your current members’ needs and
attracting new members.
Marilyn Millas Rutkowski is senior marketing manager at
Association Management Center. She may be reached at
(847) 375-4830 or MRutkowski@Connect2amc.com.
KNOW YOUR
AUDIENCE
A knowledgeable association configures
itself to meet the differing needs of its
various demographics. Strive to leverage
whatever you’re going to offer through
technology to be just what a current or
potential member needs. An association
is different things to different members.
To some, it is a source of professional
information, while others see it as a networking organization made up of their
peers. Today’s association must be sensitive to these changes and try to respond
to their members’ needs.
So before you begin the process of
instituting e-memberships, do some
research into your members’ current
habits and monitor their trends. If you
have difficulty getting your members to
use your Web site or update their e-mail
addresses, an electronic membership
FIND A SIG THAT’S RIGHT
FOR YOU
The Membership SIG is just one of
the 19 shared interest groups at the
Association Forum. There is a SIG for
just about every area of association
management, and all SIGs are free
to Forum members. Join a SIG today
and start making the most of your
Forum membership! For information
about the SIGs and their upcoming
events, contact Julie O’Rourke,
assistant director of membership, at
orourke@associationforum.org or
(312) 924-7042.
