I think also including points where an association can use social media at meetings and also provide sponsorship options to help offset technology costs. I would like to see things that go beyond the traditional email station in the exhibit hall.
I think that it would be helpful if you also focused on suggestions on how to quickly cut through the clutter of communications and launch a new project. Suggestions and tips on how to communicate a new project without having to rewrite the entire communications plan for the association would be useful here.
I am also surprised this topic isn't rated higher. There are a lot of discussions about the value of social media but less on the implementation and using it to reach specific, measurable goals. Yes there is value in social networking but it is definitely not for everyone. The members of the association I work for are doctors and although we've toyed with the idea of building a private social network, it all comes back to whether or not they would find value and time. Why would they use it? How would this replace/augment traditional means? Are we trying to replace the wrong thing? However, we have realized that our younger members who are not yet full members may benefit from increased participation in social networks from the association to learn more about what we do for them in terms of helping to shape their future careers. I think we should aim more at delivering value (meaning giving them what they want, how they want it and when) than pushing social media tools as the be all end all. For the foreseeable future I can predict with some certainty that hard copy directories aren't going away; rather the assn will need to satisfy those who would like traditional versions and digital versions. I think this would be a great article especially if it addresses the challenges involves with satisfying different member expectations.
I agree with Eric. Multiple levels of social media awareness across geographic (potentially digitally challenged) lines creates inefficiencies in the communication process. Especially when staff is either way out in front of Membership - or way behind.
I'm surprised this topic isn't rated higher. I hear lots of stories about assns which struggle with member participation on the social media platforms they have built. Lots of assns have bought into the idea of integrating socmed into their operations. Far fewer are realizing the success they imagined when they began their projects. This article idea seems to be right in the sweet spot for many assns that have begun socmed initiatives and are wondering where all the members are.
Bridging the digital divide almost seems like a separate topic, but also a worthy one for consideration. Increasing numbers of people are embracing social media, but not everyone -- particularly in assns where the demographics skew older. For many assns, this presents a challenge. Social media platforms are more often an addition to existing programs, not a replacement. How do you engage members in new ways while still meeting the needs of existing members who aren't yet ready or willing to use the new platforms? Can you do everything well when you're serving more masters with the same level of staffing? How do you make the difficult decisions?
How about broadening the topic to talk about how associations can reach out into the consultants and AMC communities to build project teams? We're a small (3-person) AMC that often forges project partnerships with independent consultants to create success for associations. The key here is helping associations understand and appreciate bringing in the objective eyes and ears that comes with vast experience.
Suggest expanding this piece to include communicating with internal audiences -- so many projects go down in flames because the message doesn't connect with staff, Board, volunteers, etc. who execute important aspects of the project.
It doesn't look like this idea is getting a lot of traction - but if you decide to go ahead with it, the AMC where I work has generations two and three currently employed, and the first generation founder is also available for an interview. Founder: Douglas Ewald. President/CEO: David Ewald, CAE (second generation). VP - Consulting: Eric Ewald, CAE (second generation). Finance Director: Amanda Ewald (third generation). Student worker: Erica Ewald (third generation).
Description as currently written sounds a tad generic and more like a workshop proposal. Would need something a bit more interesting or meatier for good magazine content.
I like the idea but think the authors need to realize that radical in the eyes of the beholder. Not sure everyone would agree doing away with a print conference program is radical, but can see how some might. maybe that's part of the article ... how to address a change some find radical that you don't see as such a big shift.
Maybe this is a different idea entirely - but I've been wondering recently about using government relations as a member recruitment tool, especially for trades.
I would like to see such an article differentiate substantially between the type's of meetings, audiences and memberships. For instance, I've been engaged in discussions within my group about how social media planning for conferences is substantially different than it is for governance meetings....but not everyone involved has been able to grasp the reasoning! In addition, there are cultural differences between trade associations and professional societies that also impact SM strategy.
I would add at least a tagline about the importance of being active in states, or national associations who repressent states. Julia Hurst, NLGA Director www.nlga.us
I think also including points where an association can use social media at meetings and also provide sponsorship options to help offset technology costs. I would like to see things that go beyond the traditional email station in the exhibit hall.
I think that it would be helpful if you also focused on suggestions on how to quickly cut through the clutter of communications and launch a new project. Suggestions and tips on how to communicate a new project without having to rewrite the entire communications plan for the association would be useful here.
I am also surprised this topic isn't rated higher. There are a lot of discussions about the value of social media but less on the implementation and using it to reach specific, measurable goals. Yes there is value in social networking but it is definitely not for everyone. The members of the association I work for are doctors and although we've toyed with the idea of building a private social network, it all comes back to whether or not they would find value and time. Why would they use it? How would this replace/augment traditional means? Are we trying to replace the wrong thing? However, we have realized that our younger members who are not yet full members may benefit from increased participation in social networks from the association to learn more about what we do for them in terms of helping to shape their future careers. I think we should aim more at delivering value (meaning giving them what they want, how they want it and when) than pushing social media tools as the be all end all. For the foreseeable future I can predict with some certainty that hard copy directories aren't going away; rather the assn will need to satisfy those who would like traditional versions and digital versions. I think this would be a great article especially if it addresses the challenges involves with satisfying different member expectations.
I agree with Eric. Multiple levels of social media awareness across geographic (potentially digitally challenged) lines creates inefficiencies in the communication process. Especially when staff is either way out in front of Membership - or way behind.
I'm surprised this topic isn't rated higher. I hear lots of stories about assns which struggle with member participation on the social media platforms they have built. Lots of assns have bought into the idea of integrating socmed into their operations. Far fewer are realizing the success they imagined when they began their projects. This article idea seems to be right in the sweet spot for many assns that have begun socmed initiatives and are wondering where all the members are.
Bridging the digital divide almost seems like a separate topic, but also a worthy one for consideration. Increasing numbers of people are embracing social media, but not everyone -- particularly in assns where the demographics skew older. For many assns, this presents a challenge. Social media platforms are more often an addition to existing programs, not a replacement. How do you engage members in new ways while still meeting the needs of existing members who aren't yet ready or willing to use the new platforms? Can you do everything well when you're serving more masters with the same level of staffing? How do you make the difficult decisions?
Same comment I had with Project Communication, influence should be covered.
Suggest you focus on the key factor of "influence" when implementing anything new.
It might be cool to have Jeff De Cagna do a sidebar on this article - the argument for revolution as opposed to incremental change.
Add federations to the mix and you've got a great article that looks at the association pyramid from a different view.
How about broadening the topic to talk about how associations can reach out into the consultants and AMC communities to build project teams? We're a small (3-person) AMC that often forges project partnerships with independent consultants to create success for associations. The key here is helping associations understand and appreciate bringing in the objective eyes and ears that comes with vast experience.
I couldn't decide so did not rate this one.
Suggest expanding this piece to include communicating with internal audiences -- so many projects go down in flames because the message doesn't connect with staff, Board, volunteers, etc. who execute important aspects of the project.
What about the Executive Director?
It doesn't look like this idea is getting a lot of traction - but if you decide to go ahead with it, the AMC where I work has generations two and three currently employed, and the first generation founder is also available for an interview. Founder: Douglas Ewald. President/CEO: David Ewald, CAE (second generation). VP - Consulting: Eric Ewald, CAE (second generation). Finance Director: Amanda Ewald (third generation). Student worker: Erica Ewald (third generation).
Description as currently written sounds a tad generic and more like a workshop proposal. Would need something a bit more interesting or meatier for good magazine content.
I like the idea but think the authors need to realize that radical in the eyes of the beholder. Not sure everyone would agree doing away with a print conference program is radical, but can see how some might. maybe that's part of the article ... how to address a change some find radical that you don't see as such a big shift.
Maybe this is a different idea entirely - but I've been wondering recently about using government relations as a member recruitment tool, especially for trades.
The last comment was from Joanne Dunne, Immediate Past Chair of the Consultants Section Council.
Please engage the Consultants Section Council as this story is being developed. They will have alot to say about this issue.
I would like to see such an article differentiate substantially between the type's of meetings, audiences and memberships. For instance, I've been engaged in discussions within my group about how social media planning for conferences is substantially different than it is for governance meetings....but not everyone involved has been able to grasp the reasoning! In addition, there are cultural differences between trade associations and professional societies that also impact SM strategy.
I would add at least a tagline about the importance of being active in states, or national associations who repressent states. Julia Hurst, NLGA Director www.nlga.us