Empty Seat Syndrome

Let's talk more about joining associations.

A couple days ago I had a conversation with a business person wanting to make connections in a specific market. I asked if she had joined the association of this industry segment. The answer was yes, but she had not yet become active.

My thought was, "Well, I guess you didn't put much thought into this membership."

In order to get anything from being a member, first you have to be active. Then you have to give to the group.

So if there was a plan, it might have looked sort of like this.

Goals of Joining (set before joining!)

1. Join Association.
2. Attend 10 out of 12 meetings annually.
3. Note those meeting dates on my calendar.
4. Meet with executive director to find out what role I can play.
5. Assume the duties and responsibilities of that role.
6. Make a list of members I want to meet one to one.
7. Set a goal of how many member to meet with monthly.
8. Invite prospective members to meetings as my guest.

Of course, your goals might be slightly different. But it doesn't matter. What does matter, is having a plan of action before you join so that you hit the ground running. You don't want to waste several months of membership time trying to decide what to do.

What goals do you have in place for the associations you belong to?

The Other 10 Rules

David Lorms, an association consultant, commented in my post about loneliness and joining groups. He said that he felt that associations also had to be held accountable for the way in which they support each member's successful membership. So here are:

10 Rules for Associations (or Groups) to Connect With Members

1. Above all, have a process to welcome visitors or guests to meetings and events. Make them feel like they've done you a huge favor by attending. (They have!)

2. Give membership information to guests, but just don't hand them a packet and expect them to read it. Set aside time and assign a person to go through the material. That person can also encourage the guest to apply.

3. When a new person actually joins, have a system for welcoming them. The best way is a phone call, and next best is an email.

4. Assign a buddy or mentor to help the new member get to know the ins and outs of the group.

5. The director or another "official" person should meet with the new member to find out the what the new member wants to accomplish as a result of her membership.

6. The new member should be asked what she would like to contribute to the group. Harvest their newbie energy early.

7. If there is an official orientation or educational offering, help the new member to schedule for those events. Send a seasoned member with the newbie to these events.

8. Determine which of the seasoned members should be introduced to the newer member. Linking them will help them to be more successful, which in turn will help the group to be more successful.

9. If the group has a newsletter, list new members with their contact information. We all like to see our name up in lights!

10. Ask the new members what, if anything, you could have done better or more of to make their transition from newbie to seasoned as seamless as possible.

Two organizations I belong to, BNI and WEN both do all or most of the above rules. They are both thriving. One group I am a member of, does not adhere to many of the above. They are not so successful. Hmmm, I wonder if there is any connection?

David, if you are reading this, what rules would you add?

For the rest of you, please chime in too.

Eliminating Loneliness

What's sad, as Seth Godin recently said in a post, is that lonely people join organizations. The sad part is that they join, but don't realize the necessity of participation.

10 Rules for Connecting

1. I cannot just be a name on a list.

2. I must believe in the works and mission of the group.

3. I must schedule a meeting with an officer or executive of the group, to find out how to best get involved.

4. I must join an active committee.

5. I must attend all or most of the meetings and events of the organization.

6. I must financially support the club with more than just my membership dues. I will need to budget that much more into my marketing budget.

7. I must budget time into my schedule so that I am not stressed by having to attend functions.

8. I must figure out how I can give back to the organization.

9. If appropriate, I must invite and financially underwrite guests to each meeting and event.

10. I must take on a leadership persona, helping the group to prosper.

You'll notice that the above ten rules are NOT about you and how you can be less lonely. It's all about making the group more successful. Doing so will eliminate your loneliness as a side benefit.