Learning Hub

The Melos Institute is the sole creator of and your exclusive source for information, knowledge, and tools specific to relation-centered management (RCM). Its findings have been generated – over several decades – from a series of applied research initiatives working directly in, with, and for membership-based organizations (MBOs) representing a wide range of professions, trades, and personal avocations (unions excepted) in the USA as well as developing countries.

MBOs’ founders established these organizations to do more than represent their practice settings (i.e., in the public policy arena). Their primary intention for forming these institutions was for them to become the architects and arbiters of their practice settings’ body of knowledge.

Thus, MBOs exist to identify, define, shape, and advance the BOK specific to their members’ practice setting. The information and knowledge that is identified and defined, is then compiled, analyzed, and converted into the kind of programs, products, and services in ways that empowers their members to advance positive and lasting social change for themselves, those in their practice settings, as well as the society-at-large.

RCM’s body of knowledge (BOK) is uniquely designed to achieve these outcomes. The body of knowledge currently in use by MBOs was initially designed and intended for use in for-profit settings.

RCM recognizes that, while MBOs appear to operate like for-profit as well as other nonprofit organizations, they differ substantially in their purpose, scope, focus, and goals; most especially in their structural framework. Thus, MBOs consist of two wholly-separate yet highly-interdependent elements: an organization and an actual membership community (albeit portable and specially-defined).

MBOs’ effectiveness is dependent on their members’ willingness to share their information, knowledge, experiences, expertise, and connections in two ways: 1. advance their organizations’ goals and priorities, and 2. assist fellow members to do the same.

RCM’s body of knowledge reflects premises, principles, policies, processes, practices, and procedures designed to empower volunteer and staff leaders as well as staff professionals to: govern and manage their organizations as well as build socially-cohesive and highly-engaged specially-defined membership communities.

Learning opportunities (in-person, online, or print) are designed with adult learning preferences (i.e., andragogy and synergogy) in mind; ensuring participation in whatever form generates a better understanding and deeper appreciation of RCM and its application in MBOs. Most sessions are complimentary, including opportunities for
subsequent individual and/or group conversations.

In 2024, the Institute published a book chronicling the emergence, formation, and development of RCM as an alternative to the existing body of knowledge for association management. Click here to learn more about its contents and purchase options.

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For answers to more specific questions about RCM, please contact us by phone or email:
main number: (505)428-0268      email: info@melosinstitute.org