Professional membership associations play a crucial role in connecting individuals within a specific industry, providing a platform for professional development, knowledge sharing and networking. While the benefits provided by the association are well known to members, the tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly isn’t often noticed.
Membership Management
Membership sits at the heart of any professional association. Managing members involves a range of tasks, from recruiting new members to retaining existing ones. The administration team need to be able to handle enquiries, process applications and ensure that members are given access to the association’s resources.
It’s common for associations to have an array of membership categories, each with different benefits and joining criteria. It can be a complex task to manage members between categories and ensure that the appropriate level of service and information is given.
Membership management extends beyond administrative work. Associations must consistently engage with their members to keep them informed and involved. This usually includes creating and circulating newsletters, organising webinars or learning sessions and hosting networking events. Engaging with members helps to build a sense of community and ensures that they see value in their membership.
Finance
Financial management is a critical aspect of operations, and one that may seem quite daunting if it’s a new skill you are having to learn. Membership renewals, sponsorships, and event & training course bookings are all sources of revenue, but it is vital you budget effectively to ensure costs don’t get out of hand. Associations must allocate resources wisely to provide value to their members, whilst also ensuring long-term sustainability.
Transparency and accountability are a must for the association’s accounts. Members have the right to know how their fees are being used, so annual financial reports must be provided to give a clear breakdown of the accounts.
Governance
Associations are usually governed by a board of directors. The board are responsible for the growth and development of the organisation, the need to make strategic decisions, and ensuring that the organisation operates in the best interests of its members. The board normally serves on a voluntary basis, meaning that they devote their own time for the benefit of the association.
Policy, elections and transparency are crucial to ensure that the board operates fairly and effectively.
Events
Events, such as conferences, seminars, and workshops are a significant part of an association’s activities. These provide members with the opportunities to learn, share knowledge and connect with other like-minded individuals.
Organising events is an intricate task. A venue must be secured, and contract negotiated, alongside the need to market to members and manage registrations, all adding up to be an extremely time-consuming job. Yet, successful events are essential for development of an organisation and its members.
Volunteers & Staff
Behind the scenes of every professional membership association are dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to keep the organisation running smoothly. Sometimes this includes paid staff, but for the most part, the organisation relies on a host of volunteers to contribute their time and expertise.
Once the industry specific tasks are completed by the board specialists, there is still an enormous amount of work left to do for the day-to-day running of the associations.
If you need help to manage your association, Cygnul offer a range of services including:
– Governance and compliance overview
– Membership management (onboarding and renewals etc)
– Meeting support and AGM administration
– Bookkeeping and management reporting
– Systems review and efficiency improvements
At Cygnul we are seen as trusted advisors to the board for our clients, offering support to associations around the UK. If you want to explore how these services could help your organisation, please get in touch with us.