When Has It Ever Been Easy?

The Future of Associations

My eye on the future is always looking, always exploring, thinking about how are we doing and where is it all headed? I went back re-watched video interviews with association executives across many industries and many membership pools talking about the future for the industry. What I heard was all good. Are there challenges? Sure, but it was hopeful.

The future is something we all have the ability to shape. Here are three things making associations of value in the future:

1. We all need to connect. We seek groups to help learn, grow, and gain support from. Associations fit how we as humans operate and interact. Humans are social creatures and associations help us find those with the same needs, issues, challenges, and careers. As professionals we search for others like us. No matter technology, no matter economy; association’s tap into something at the core of us being human.
2. Loyalty is not a one size fits all kimono. When looking at each and every member of an association, the reality is not one member is exactly like the other. History, experiences, training, location, and career paths make everyone different – even within a very focused industry or member group. Expecting everyone to see the same value, at the same time is like trying to get everyone in NYC to hop on one foot at one moment in time. Not only impossible but why? Same with association members – loyalty to members and visa versa will ebb and flow with the member’s stage of profession, personal life as will the associations based on leadership and industry challenges.
3. Cut through it all. The amount of data and content I need, receive and digest seems to grow weekly. Same hours every day but more to read, review, and search; my brain hurts just thinking about it all. Associations are an oasis in the desert of demands. They help use drill down what we need, when we need it, and in most cases the way we need it. As the title wave of information grows so will the need for a filter – associations.

While hope is not a strategy, nor pessimism a guarantee of the outcome of anything; plan, evolve, be realistic, and find the best in people and the situation. The future for associations is strong, why? People are people, that’s why.