The MemberWise Network
MemberWise Network eUpdate
Issue 16
September 2012
Dear Colleague 

Welcome to your September Issue!


The Paralympics are now underway and compared with August it feels like the 'membership sector speedometre' gauge has swung from 'Reasonably Quiet' to 'Extremely Busy!'. September is going to be a busy month!

We kick this issue off by signposting 3 free events/conferences that will help you develop governance (1), technology (2) and membership (3): 

1) MemberWise/BWB Lunch & Learn - 'Top Governance Tips' (10th)
2) NFP Technology Exhibition, London (25th)
3) Generational Differences Seminar, KingstonSmith LLP (25th)

  

In this issue we explore the content of our forthcoming governance themed 'legal lunch and learn' (only 8 days away!) and find out what happens when you ask a group of 10 senior membership and association professionals - Online social networking - Adapt or Die?'

This issue is kindly sponsored by Bates Wells and Braithwaite LLP and CJ Association Management.

 

Enjoy!

 

Richard Gott
Founder

The MemberWise Network

In This Issue...
Web Conference: 'Early Bird' extended for 7 more days!
First Free Governance Themed Lunch & Learn in 8 days!
Social Media - Adapt or Die?
Top 10 Marketing Tips for Membership Organisations
Our Monthly eUpdate - You 'Like'!
The Latest Online Discussion
Dates for the diary - September
And finally...
Web Conference: 'Early Bird' extended for 7 more days!

Our next 'game changer' national conference, Harnessing the Web to Drive Membership Value and Growth, is now only 7 weeks away, over 120 membership and association professionals have registered.

 
In this issue we focus on the dedicated website sessions...


Web Conference LogoThe conference (in partnership with APT Solutions) will enable you to identify your website's strengths, consider areas that require development, and will provide practical information, advice and solutions to help you to enhance your online member value proposition.

We introduce 8 of our website-focused sessions below:
 

- 7 Great ways to effectively drive membership engagement/value via the web (Sue Froggatt)
 - Digital memberships: Enabling more for less or a perceived threat to value? (Institute of Physics/Stephanie Richardson)
 - Online membership payments - A glimpse into a very different looking future (Nick Ogden, Founder of WorldPay/VoiceCommerce)
 - Strategies that can drive new revenue streams via the web (Ali Heppenstall, b2b)
 - The latest technologies - Delivering more member value and generating revenue (Tom Inglis, Feusd)
 - Web analytics Round Table: The writing is on the wall - What are you doing about it? (Susie Kay, Professionalism Group)
 - How membership organisations can get real value from eLearning (Jacqui Neslon, NelsonCroom)
 - 10 reasons to move your event management online - Why wouldnt you? (Pete Bodley-Scott, Premier IT)

The conference will include the membership sector's first ever web-focused trade exhibition that will feature leading online solution providers including APT Solutions, ASI Europe, IRIS NFP, NetXtra, Premier IT, thankQ, Job Target, SiftGroups, Vista Design, Voice Commerce and more.

Meet our speakers, view the programme and register online...

Our 'Early Bird' promotion ended on Friday, however we are offering eUpdate readers one more week to register at this rate (discount - �30 per person - �129 instead of �159 per person).

 

Enter the promotional code 'MWSEPT' until 10 September to get a 'Standard Membership Professional Pass* at the Early Bird Membership Professional Pass* rate (�30 off).

Register now...

Note: Only available to practicing membership/association professionals.

Free Governance 'Lunch & Learn' in 8 days!

Our first free governance themed 'Legal Lunch and Learn' session will take place on 10th September. Why not come along?

 

The session is sponsored and hosted by well-known solicitors, Bates Wells and Braithwaite LLP, at their HQ next to St Paul's cathedral.

Right or Wrong?MemberWise Founder, Richard Gott, caught up with Partner, Thea Longley to find out what she will be discussing in her 'Top Governance Tips for Membership Organisations' session -


'I am really looking forward to delivering this much needed session. In particular I will explore a wide range of different ways to involve members in governance.'


Richard Gott advised 'This is the first of our ambitious 'legal lunch and learn' seminar series that will hone in on key areas where there is a need for us to digest legally sound information, advice and best practice. The topics were decided by MemberWise subscribers and we are pleased to see nearly all of the places have been booked up!'.
 

Only a few places remain so if you would like to attend please book now to avoid disappointment later!

 

Book your free place now...

Other sessions in this 'legal lunch and learn' seminar series include:

08 October - Data Protection: The Basics...
12 November - Facing up to Facebook...

(note: membership and association professionals only due to limited capacity)

Social Media - Adapt or Die?

Chameleon Leading professionals from across the membership spectrum came together recently to discuss approaches to online social networking and other key online-related issues.

The session addressed key questions including: 

 - D
oes our business model achieve recruitment/retention of members?
 -
Do our member benefits really add value?
 
- How can we improve and encourage internal communications?
 
- Do we understand the importance of online content?
 
- Are we supporting our niche groups?
 

The session was attended by organisations including The Royal Society of Medicine, Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, and National Childminding Association.

The result was an animated debate that explored key themes and innovative solutions. The discussion has been captured in the following document:

Membership Breakfast: Adapt or Die?  

The event was hosted by Sift Digital, a consultancy group helping membership organisations and associations make the most out of their conversations with members, supporters, and stakeholders.

Interested in having your say on social media within the NFP sector?

Leading online social network platform provider, Webjam, is surveying the NFP sector to verify if engaged members really do make happier members (according to recent research).

Have your say...

In return you will have access to Webjam's free 'Getting The Results You Want' online social networking whitepaper, an opportunity to join their free round table debate 'Benefits of Social Media for the NFP Sector, and as an added bonus we are offering 15% discount on the standard membership professional pass for our forthcoming 'Harnessing the web' conference.  

Top 10 Marketing Tips for Membership Organisations!
Introducing our latest advice sheet:

Top 10 Marketing Tips for Membership Organisations
 
Cost-effective marketing pays dividends in terms of engaging with members, improving member retention, generating new membership enquiries and ultimately CJAM generating income.

This advice sheet is written and sponsored by:
CJ Association Management.

A message from our sponsor:

"We can help with both traditional and online marketing tactics to motivate and inspire your members. Throughout September, we're offering Memberwise subscribers a 20% discount on all marketing materials, including design. Please call 01787 226995 for further information."
Our monthly eUpdate - You 'Like'!
Last month we asked for your feedback on our eUpdate and we just wanted to share the results with you!
Like?   
- 200 subscribers responded
- 85% - 'Like' our eUpdate
- 66% - Think content is 'good/excellent'
- 3 subscribers found the content 'a bit busy'

 
Many thanks for your feedback and continued support! If you have any constructive feedback/suggestions please contact:

[email protected]
The latest online discussion...

Our online professional networking group continues to provide you with a unique opportunity to network with over 600 membership organisation and association professionals.


The group is hosted on popular online professional networking website, LinkedIn, and is only accessible to membership professionals, association professionals and recognised suppliers.

The group includes news articles, event information, online discussions/debate, supplier promotions and more.

 

Take a look at our current 'top 6 discussion topics': 

 

Social networks logo1: West Coast Mainline - ePetition/Charity Line  2: Twitter Campaign idea - Personalise!
3: Digital Membership Cards (CILIP)

4: New venue partner - Charles Darwin House
5: Experience of using sponsorship to subsidise conference tickets? (NHS Confederation)
6: Acronyms poll (groan!) 


Join in the conversation... 

Dates for the diary (September)

Date for the diary 

Check out the latest membership sector seminars, conferences and events via the MemberWise events listing.  

 

 
September

 

10 - Top Governance Tips for Membership Organisations - MemberWise Seminar (in association with Bates Wells and Braithwiate LLP), London

20 - Learn from Each Other conference, MemNet, London

 
25 - NFP Technology Exhibition, Conference House, London

25 - Generational Differences - A strategy for developing your membership, Kingston Smith LLP, London

27 - Communicating the Real Value of Membership, Sue Froggatt Training, London 

 

Find out more...   

And finally...

In August we featured a student member recruitment themed YouTube video created by the Technology Student Association (US). You liked it so here's another one for you..

 

Introducing the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) membership-orientated YouTube video.

 

Although this is not as 'wizzy' in format as last month's it clearly and concisely communicates the reasons to join.


We really liked the concept of "Firm Crawls" that enable students to visit potential future employers. One major employer makes it clear that they think membership is positive. I.e. It shows professional commitment & helps when sifting CVs!

AIAS Membership Video
AIAS Membership Video

Have you got a membership organisation/association specific YouTube video that you would like us to signpost? Please feel free to submit!

We are always looking to develop and improve our monthly e-update so if you would like to submit ideas/recommendations or enquire about sponsoring the next issue please get in-touch!

 

Yours Sincerely,

 
Richard Gott
Founder
The MemberWise Network

 Our Sponsors...

CJAM  


Bates Wells and Braithwaite LLP

Featured Event...

 
NFP Technology Exhibition
 
The NFP Technology Exhibition, sponsored by ASI Europe, takes place again at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, on Tuesday 25 September 2012.

The wide range of free seminars includes sessions covering case studies, social media and mobile technologies.

For full information
and free registration 
click HERE...

New Supplier...

Introducing our latest MemberWise Recognised Supplier:

 

Spotlight Research
& Editing

10% off
first consultancy project

Other Market Research Agencies working within the sector include:

Ashridge Communications

Elucidation

redshift research

Research by Design

Find out more...
Our Supplier Directory...

We host the membership sector's most comprehensive online supplier directory that signposts the products and services of over 100 recognised suppliers.

The directory is categorised by function so you can be sure to find the right supplier.

 

Take a look...

MemberWise website

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