Patricia A. Hudson, MPsSc

Written for volunteer and staff leaders of associations representing professions, trades, and personal avocations, this book – for the first time – explains why these membership-based organizations (MBOs) exist, their existential role in American society, the underlying reasons why members don’t engage as they should or could, and why adjusting transaction-based management strategies to be more relation-centered will inform, instruct, and inspire greater and more robust member engagement.

Drawing from a number of different applied research initiatives over an extended period of time, the author identifies seven specific obstacles (below) that have unintentionally and negatively impacted MBOs’ ability to capture their members’ attention and cultivate their awareness of how to make the most of their membership.

how we view members
how we view associations/MBOs
management processes and practices we adopt
what we believe members expect
how we promote MBOs and membership
how we communicate with members
how we prepare volunteer leaders

Using multiple case examples proven effective, she reveals how MBOs – for decades – have made relation-centered adjustments not just to achieve desired outcomes, but also transform their members’ willingness to engage often and fully…and in mutually beneficial ways.

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