The membership model is very important in the Nonprofit Sector. It provides not only a networking system for organizations with common interests, but it also provides an avenue for which needs are provided for that would otherwise be unmet. For example, education and training that promote compliance with industry standards is something that membership organizations, or associations, have taken on where government could not afford to. By assuming this role in society, membership organizations instill a sense of confidence and safety in the forms of codes of ethics and accountability as well as good standards and practices. This paper will explain not only what membership organizations are but also how they aid the nonprofit sector and how they can be best utilized. It will also look at some current examples of membership organizations both at the macro level and micro level.
Nonprofit Membership Organizations
Membership Organizations: Bringing Common Interests Together
The membership model is very important in the Nonprofit Sector. It provides not only a networking system for organizations with common interests, but it also provides an avenue for which needs are provided for that would otherwise be unmet. For example, education and training that promote compliance with industry standards is something that membership organizations, or associations, have taken on where government could not afford to. By assuming this role in society, membership organizations instill as sense of confidence and safety in the forms of codes of ethics and accountability as well as good standards and practices. This paper will explain not only what membership organizations are but also how they aid the nonprofit sector and how they can be best utilized. It will also look at some current examples of membership organizations both at the macro level and micro level.
Membership Organizations
Membership organizations can also be referred to as associations. A membership organization, or association, is a broad term for a group or body which has members. Typically any member of the public can join and a membership fee or "subscription" is payablegenerally collected, but arrangements vary widelyhowever the terms of the membership can vary significantly. Some of the more common T types of membership organizations include support groups, political parties and a wide range of otherssupport groups, political affiliations, or groups that focus on certain causes such as the treatment of animals or various environmental causes. Some memberships can offer the members certain voting rights while others do not and the organizations are run by a board of directors. . Some clubs would typically be covered by the term, but not country clubs and others which exist primarily to use specific facilities. Some memberships include open memberships for individuals and organizations, while others are predominantly board operated. Each membership organization serves to fulfill its own mission whatever that may be. The most typical mission of a membership organization is to effectively serve its membership that consists of individuals and groups concerned with common interests.
There are many different types of membership organizations, ranging from civic and social welfare organizations to social clubs. As Researcher Tschirhart explains, "While formation of nonprofit membership associations may be linked to single issues that mobilize the founders, continuation of the association once the organizing issues is settled relies on the development of a broader portfolio of member concerns (Powell & Steinberg, 530)." By expanding the stakeholder groups and recruiting members, this can have an energizing effect that makes the organization more sustainable. This has ledThis can result in to an increase in not only the amount of membership organizations but also the various types available to potential members.
NONPROFIT MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS 3
Table 1. Registered Nonprofit Membership Associations in United States in 2004
Number of Percent
Registered Percent of change from Nonprofits all nonprofits 1996
All nonprofit organizations 1,397,263 100 28.8
Membership associations 460,829 33.0 -8.2
Membership associations including congregations 846,703 60.6
Civic leagues, social welfare organizations, and local associations of employees 119,515 8.6 -6.3
Fraternal beneficiary societies and associations 87.833 6.3 -14.4
Business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, etc. 71,470 5.1-4.2
Labor, agricultural, and horticultural organizations 58,362 4.2 -5.5
Social and recreational clubs 56,494 4.0 -1.0
Post or organization of war veterans 35,097 2.5-14.8
Registered congregations 385,874 27.6 NA
All other mutual benefit nonprofit organizations 32,058 2.3 NA
Source: Adapted from National Center for Charitable Statistics, Urban Institute, http://nccsdataweb.urban.org /, downloaded March 11, 2005.
As Table 1 indicates, membership associations make up approximately 33% of all nonprofit organizations and 60% when we expand the definition to include congregations. With something so expansivesuch a popular organizational structure, it is important to understand how it figures into the operations of nonprofit organizations. As Table 1 shows, there are various types of nonprofit organizations that seek to aid its members of common interests. Each type provides specific services and benefits to its members. The structure of the membership organization or congregation is constructed to support the mission and vision of the particular organization.
More specifically, there are professional membership organizations which "are nonprofit voluntary membership associations that represent individuals with a common background in a subject or profession such as law, medicine, or accounting (Reference for Business, 2011)." Some of the largest professional membership organizations are the AMA, ABA, ADA, AAAS, AICPA, and NSPE. These very famous, high profile organizations exist to help the members of those professions through education, training and regulatory actions.
Role of Membership Organizations
Membership organizations have many roles. Their main function is to provide certain benefits to their it members depending on the needs of that particular group. As Researcher Tschirhart explains, "The main claims about association benefits are that they support democratic processes, give voice to special interests, regulate behaviors, develop and diffuse innovations, and provide psychological and social rewards (Powell & Steinberg, 2006, 526)." While there can be both positive and negative aspects of such a system, one can see how membership organizations have filled a gap that governments and nonprofit organizations themselves have been unable to maintain efficiently. This last sentence doesn't move you forward effectively.
The membership model is very important to nonprofit organizations. They have many vital roles that allow nonprofits to function as successfully as they do. Some roles include (Wiley, 2006):
Professional development and Continuous Skill Building
Information
Standards Setting, Code of Ethics, and Certification
Research and Statistics
Volunteerism and Community Service
Constituent Contact
Giving Voice to Citizens
Economic Impact
Social and Networking Functions
One of the most significant roles that membership organizations fulfill is that of setting the standards, code of ethics and certification procedures for the industry. As Wiley (2006) describes it, "Associations play a prominent role in setting performance, technical and safety standards, ethical codes, and professional certification programs (Wiley, 2006)." This would be a very time consuming and costly venture to turn over to the government. Membership organizations, with their expertise in their respective fields, have taken on this burden to ensure maximum safety and confidence in its members.
You’re 87% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.