References & Resources
Relation-centered Management (RCM)
Publications, Modules, & Tools Uniquely Designed for Membership-based Organizations (MBOs)
MBOs are distinctively different from for-profit and other nonprofit organizations in their purpose, scope, focus, and goals. We’ve learned, through ongoing applied research, that the persistent use of traditional transaction based business management strategies unintentionally undermines MBOs’ ability to convince members to engage in ways that matter most to them. It teaches members to think, behave, and act like customers…rather than citizens of their specially-defined membership communities.
Thus, their continued use also fails to inspire members to share their information, knowledge, experiences, expertise, and connections with their fellow members.
Member engagement suffers when members:
- remain unaware of what being a member actually means (i.e., affords rights and privileges as well as assume duties and obligations);
- fail to create their own personalized engagement plan (i.e. uniquely designed to help them address their needs and interests as well as advance their goals and aspirations), and;
- experience opportunities that enable them to establish the kind of social connections that evolve into meaningful and purposeful relationships.
Ultimately, without a high degree of member engagement, MBOs lose an extraordinary opportunity to leverage their greatest asset in pursuit of their priorities…their members.
Every item developed by the Institute has been uniquely designed and tested solely for MBOs. And most are available for immediate download…at no cost.
Each is an example of how key traditional transaction-based business management strategies can be adjusted to be more relation-centered. Further, the Institute offers additional guidance and support – at no cost – to MBOs seeking new and better ways to introduce and incorporate these items into their existing initiatives.
References (publications)
Resources (guides, modules, tools)
Innovators (case examples)
Insights Hub (self-paced learning)
For answers to more specific questions about any item,
please contact us by phone or email:
phone: (505) 428-0268
email: info@melosinstitute.org
Relation-centered References
These three groundbreaking publications offer insight into why MBOs differ from for-profit and other nonprofit organizations. In addition to providing plenty of real-time examples, they also introduce the framework for a 21st century body of knowledge for these organizations.
Available Now
The Member Engagement Paradox:
Overcoming 7 Obstacles to Build and Maintain Thriving Membership Communities
Overcoming 7 Obstacles to Build and Maintain Thriving Membership Communities
Patricia A. Hudson, MPsSc
A comprehensive look at what MBOs are, how they contribute, and what they need to do to get more members to engage…especially in ways that help their members make the most of their membership.
Complete Bibliography
This publication lists the over 1400 references that Hudson reviewed as part of her research in writing the Member Engagement Paradox. Contact the Melos Institute for a copy.
Available Now
Special Interest Society:
How Membership-based Organizations Shape America
James R. Hudson, Ph.D. – assisted by Patricia A. Hudson, MPsSc
A groundbreaking book that, for the first time, explains what MBOs are, why they are distinctive from other for-profit and nonprofit organizations, their contributions to their members and their members’ respective practice settings, and their role in shaping American society.
To order from Amazon, click here.
To order directly from the current publisher, click below.
Available Now
Dictionary of Association Management Terms 2026 Edition
key concepts and practices with a relation-centered focus
Impact and Consequence of Membership
This ever-growing and evolving lexicon offers relation-centered descriptions for key terms specific to association management.
Relation-centered Resources
Available Now
Transformative Impact of Membership
a relation-centered icebreaker for volunteer leaders
Impact and Consequence of Membership
Specially-crafted, yet simple, short icebreaker (with a relation-centered focus) helps volunteer leaders offer specific examples of how their membership has positively impacted their lives.
Available Now
Making the Most of Your Membership
a relation-centered orientation module for new and current members
A Relation-Centered Member Orientation Module
This fully-customizable 1-1.5 hr orientation is uniquely designed to first capture members’ awareness and then expand their understanding of what it means to be a MBO member and how to engage – as participants, volunteers and volunteer leaders – in ways that also matter to them. More importantly, it shows them how using a relation-centered approach to building a personalized engagement plan, their membership can be a vehicle to address their needs and interests as well as advance their goals and aspirations…in essence, help them develop personally and professionally.
Available Now
Using Power and Influence to Achieve Positive Social Change
how membership-based organizations organize and mobilize their members to advance their mission and vision
A Relation-Centered Member Orientation Module
This training module specially-designed for MBOs – perfect for board orientations and retreats – provides everything needed to help volunteer and staff leaders understand and appreciate how their organizations, working with their members, advance the needs, interests, goals, and aspirations of their members individually and collectively.
Relation-centered Innovators
case examples of successful strategies designed by volunteer & staff leaders
Association management professionals, for decades, have been developing strategies with a relation-centered focus…demonstrating the concept’s effectiveness when used in membership-based organizations (MBOs). At the time, no term or rationale existed to easily explain why it was more effective than prior transaction-based efforts. These case examples recognize the ingenuity, intuition, and common sense that prompted these staff professionals to risk trying something different in the hopes of getting better outcomes. And, they also offer a detailed analysis explaining why their efforts worked so well. Each has also agreed to be available to answer any questions that may arise.
Available Now
How Adjusting Members’ Learning Opportunities Generated Greater and More Meaningful Engagement
Learn how Lauren Kotkin, with her MBO colleagues, transformed long-standing traditional learning opportunities in ways that not only enriched the learning experience, but also generated more meaningful engagement and loyalty from her members.
Available Now
How Adjusting a Member Orientation Generated Greater Engagement
Learn how Brian Bates, working with his colleagues at Exponent Philanthropy (EP), adjusted EP’s member orientation to help his members learn – from fellow members – how to make the most of their membership.
Relation-centered Insights
Your Members’ GAIN & Your Self-Paced Knowledge Hub
(routine knowledge-based communiques for association management professionals; offering novel, practical, and groundbreaking insights, examples, and strategies that will empower their members to achieve/address their Goals, Aspirations, Interest and Needs)
Is Your Association Asking Your Members the Right Questions? Part One
August 13, 2025“Formal instruments often miss capturing key opinions and perspectives that can undermine[an association’s] efforts. Listening…
It’s Time for Associations to Recognize…the Need to Change is…Now!
June 13, 2025Associations representing professions, trades, and personal avocations (i.e., practice settings) differ dramatically in their purpose,…
Your Members’ Experience and Future has Always Rested in Your Hands… the Obstacles Keeping You from Supporting Them are Not What You Think
July 31, 2024Alarmist rhetoric has been forecasting associations’ demise and dysfunction at least since my foray into…
How a Relation-centered Approach Increases and Expands Member Engagement
May 29, 2024Membership-based organizations (MBOs) seeking new and better ways to increase and expand member engagement have…
What Does It Mean to be an Association Management Professional?
April 22, 2024In the early 1950s, I’ve Got a Secret was one of the most popular television…What’s the Harm of Viewing & Treating Members as Customers?
March 19, 2024For many, it’s hard to remember a time when getting and keeping members wasn’t regarded…
Why Association Management Needs a Body of Knowledge for 21st-century Associations
March 19, 2024Have you ever stopped to consider just how your members’ greatest professional challenge is remarkably…What are Membership-based Organizations & What Makes Them So Special?
March 19, 2024In most communities, you can drive for miles before spotting a building with the name…
Want to Share These Insights with Others?
We encourage you to share any and/or all of our relation-centered insights as long as authorship and source are acknowledged and no independent fees for access are attached. We also request that the Institute be notified when and in what publications the piece or pieces are published; allowing us to be prepared to support interest in relation-centered management.