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How Fast-Growing Associations Differ from Other Associations

LJS Association Survey

Posted July 15, 2008

One in seven (14%) membership associations report their membership is growing rapidly. At the other extreme, 23% of associations are experiencing shrinking membership. The remaining 63% of associations include 29% that are experiencing slow growth and 34% that are stable.

Fast-growing associations have both larger memberships and greater annual revenue than other associations, suggesting that “the rich get richer.” However, fast-growing associations have, roughly, the same number of full-time paid staff as other associations.

On the face of it, the survey finds that the full time staff members of fast growing associations appear, person for person, to be more productive in delivering services that attract and hold members than are the staffs of slower growing associations.

View results of the survey

The greater productivity of full-time staff of fast-growing associations is associated with differences in organizational structure that enable them to reach and communicate with the public, the government, and their natural allies.

For instance, fast-growing associations are more likely than slower-growing associations to maintain a government affairs office in Washington, D.C. and to maintain state or local offices, which place them near both state/local governments and members.

Fast-growing associations are also more likely than other associations to have an internal public relations staff member and to employ outside public relations services.

In addition, fast-growing associations are more likely than others to gain visibility by taking legal action to protect the rights of their members. Fast-growing associations more frequently report filing class action suits or bringing test cases to court on behalf of their members, as well as writing amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs.

View table

To request more cross-tabulations data about this report and the survey, or to be kept informed about further findings from ongoing research on this topic, contact 8SAGES.com.

ALSO SEE THE PRIOR ASSOCIATION REPORTS

How Associations Relate to Political Parties May 25, 2008

Dimensions of Association Brands April 21, 2008

Associations Make Democratic Government Work March 27, 2008