You might not think of your association as a community, but that’s exactly what it is. Your members all share things in common. They want to connect with peers in their field, grow professionally, and participate in valuable industry events and workshops.
That said, just because a group of people shares certain qualities, doesn’t mean they’re already acting as a community. It’s something you have to foster. Think about your association: does it feel like a close-knit community, or more like an awkward group who doesn’t know each other well?
If you relate more to the second description, it’s time to consider how you can build a stronger sense of community in your organization. From volunteer opportunities to mentoring programs, here are the top strategies for strengthening your membership organization’s community:
When members feel connected to your association and each other, they’ll be more satisfied with their membership experience—and more likely to renew. Plus, when current members share their glowing reviews of your organization, you’ll draw in new members, too.
We all know what it’s like to be the new kid. When you join a new group, school, or organization, you don’t know where you fit in. Who will you sit with at the next meeting? Who do you go to when you have questions?
Your new members may feel similarly when they join your organization. It’s important to welcome new members with open arms so they feel like valued parts of the larger community.
MemberClicks’ guide to welcoming new members offers plenty of tips for improving your onboarding experience. Make new members feel at home by:
Joining your organization should be an exciting, streamlined experience. By optimizing your onboarding experience, you can incorporate new members into your community quickly and naturally. Through your onboarding efforts, you can build a relationship with these individuals. Foster long-lasting loyalty by engaging members from the moment they join.
Are you a nonprofit membership program? If so, fundraising might make up the bulk of your funding. But even if your association isn’t a nonprofit, you might fundraise from time to time to bolster your programs or raise funds for an external partner, like a local school or charity.
But it isn’t all about the money. Hosting a fundraising event brings your members together around a common goal. As they participate, members work together as a team—and get to know one another! Plus, a successful initiative helps get your association’s name out into the community, potentially attracting new members.
The key to a successful fundraiser is in the name: make it fun! Engaging fundraising events and ideas include:
Don’t limit yourself to monetary charitable contributions. Your association can also contribute in-kind donations to your nonprofit partners, like donations of goods or services.
When doing so, choose a nonprofit partner that aligns with your association’s mission. For example, if your association is a culinary organization, you can partner with a local soup kitchen to donate ingredients and cooking supplies. That way, your charitable work feeds directly into the community you’re already building!
Encourage members to get involved by sharing your fundraising opportunities on your communication platforms. Promote them as an opportunity to build camaraderie while helping worthy causes right in your community.
Volunteering offers a way for association members to give back to their community while building a stronger relationship with your organization.
Reach out to nonprofits or other charitable organizations in the community to assess their volunteer needs. Then, ensure the volunteer experience is valuable for all participants by following these tips:
Even if you don’t have a nonprofit partner, your association can create its own volunteer program or opportunities. From cleaning up a local park to gathering donated supplies for an animal shelter, there are likely plenty of volunteer opportunities available in your community.
At a conference, your members can finally network face to face—and get to know one another on a personal level. They’ll source the business and personal connections that make them feel more connected to your organization.
If you’re hosting an in-person event, foster connections by leaving room in the schedule for discussion time or breakout sessions. On the other hand, even a hybrid or virtual conference can offer members a valuable experience from the comfort of their homes. Web Courseworks’ guide to hosting a virtual conference offers tips for making your digital experiences just as valuable as your in-person ones, such as:
Investigate your options for a conference mobile app to streamline the process for both event planners and attendees. You can use your app to keep attendees updated on any changes or provide additional information. Plus, participants can use the app to customize their experience, creating a personalized event schedule depending on which sessions they want to attend.
Sometimes, being a part of a large group can feel paradoxically isolating. If you don’t have one friend or even a familiar face, you might start to feel like just a number rather than a valued member of the group.
You can foster stronger relationships between new and longtime members with a mentoring program.
Use your association management software to identify long-time members who would be potential mentors, as well as new members who might benefit from mentoring. Comb through your membership database to determine each individual’s history of involvement and area of expertise.
Promote your mentoring program on your social media pages, website, and email newsletters. Also, reach out to the members who you identified as potential mentors! See if you can spark their interest.
Lastly, create a structure for your mentor program so both mentors and mentees can get the most out of it. For example:
At the conclusion of the program, host a gathering for all mentors and mentees to celebrate their accomplishments and meet new people. The more connections you foster, the more you’ll be able to build the type of community where all feel welcomed and comfortable.
No matter how big or small your association is, you always have the opportunity to foster a greater sense of community among your members. Whether you decide to take a more community-service-driven route or professional development route is up to you.
Either way, you have an effective opportunity to boost membership engagement and renewals. You want your members to want to stay involved in your organization and even take their engagement to the next level by contributing their mentorship abilities, leadership qualities, and other talents.
It’s easy for them to want to leave their dues behind, but it’s less easy to leave their community behind. These interpersonal relationships are what encourage people to become lifelong members.