The MemberWise Network
Your MemberWise Network eUpdate
Issue 29
September 2013
Dear Colleague


Welcome to your September eUpdate!

 

This month we focus on how to effectively harness the web to drive member value and growth in preparation for our national conference, Harnessing the Web 2013, on 8th October.
 

It is no secret that the web is an important tool that can help us to retain and recruit members, drive up member value and enhance member engagement. However, the degree to which we harness the web impacts on our ability to effectively deliver the positive results our organisations' need and our members expect. 

In this issue we will take a look at the topic areas that will be covered at our conference. You can meet our speakers of the day and we will provide one last chance for you to register at the now expired 'Early Bird promotional rate or make a 3 for 2 booking.

We appreciate that not everyone will be able to attend the conference so you will find some best-practice advice linked to the web, an invitation to take part in our annual 'Harnessing the Web' survey and other sector-specific articles below!

 

This issue is kindly sponsored by leading engagement management system provider, ASI Europe.

Let's get started!
  


Richard Gott
Chair, The MemberWise Network
In this issue...
The Membership Sector and the Web
High Impact Digital Member Communications
Improving Online Member Journeys and Experiences
Who will be attending our conference?
How do I book at the Early Bird rate?
Free Governance-Themed Lunch & Learn
Harnessing the Web 2013 Benchmarking Survey Invitation!
MembershipJobs.com - The latest vacancies
The Latest Online Banter!
And finally - Something to make you think...
The Membership Sector and the Web

Our keynote sessions will focus on 'big picture' topics that will help you to consider if you are optimising your organisations use of the web to drive membership value and growth.
  Chameleon
The day will begin with an introduction by the Chief Executive of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and a snap-shot of current web trends will be presented by MemberWise Network Chair and RCGP Head of Membership Development, Richard Gott.

 

Keynote sessions will include four great membership body best-practice case studies:

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists will share how they are harnessing the web in a more informed manner, the Royal Institute of British Architects will outline their future vision of online CPD/eLearning provision, the Fire Industry Association will show delegates how to more effectively utilise online analytics and the Royal Society of Medicine will outline how their VIRTUAL benefits are delivering REAL member value.

These case studies will be complemented by sessions by leading membership sector web experts who will address trends in online member communications, membership excellence delivery, investigating new online assessment opportunities and improving virtual member involvement opportunities.

Sessions will be complemented by 7 great Youtube presentations that will aim to enthuse and inspire delegates as well as enable the opportunity to 'pick and mix' attendance at 3 other great seminar streams outlined in this email.
 

 

Find out more about our keynote sessions...

 

High Impact Digital Member Communications

This topic is of critical importance when it comes to member retention, recruitment and engagement. That is why we have dedicated seminar stream and 9 great sessions on this topic! 

 

Sessions will explore branding, online content unification, multi-platform membership marketing campaigns, social media integration best-practice and digital publishing.Sue Froggatt

Seminar Stream Chair, Sue Froggatt, explains why this topic area is so important and why you should attend if you have not yet registered! 

 

'My name is Sue Froggatt and many of you will know me as one of the leading voices on effective member recruitment and retention. I regularly speak at MemberWise conferences so I was pleased to be asked to chair a dedicated stream on high impact online member communications. This topic is so important!'
 
'There is a REAL need for membership bodies to better engage with members online via engaging multi-platform membership marketing campaigns and provide value-driven online member benefits. I will also be leading a keynote session dedicated to online member engagement providing delegates with a great step-by-step plan on how to move forward and get going opportunities that exist. I hope you can join us for what I hope will be a challenging yet rewarding day!'

 

This seminar stream is sponsored by THINK

 

Find out more about this seminar stream...

 

Improving Online Member Journeys & Experiences

The web has revolutionised the way we interact with our members and vice-versa. If effectively utilised the web can significantly improve 'member journeys' and enhance online member experience producing memorable experiences, enhanced member engagement and value.


We believe the enhancement of online member journeys and experiences is so important we have dedicated a seminar stream and 9 sessions to the topic.

 Topics to be addressed include BIG data and more...

This seminar stream will be led by MemberWise Ambassador, Susie Kay, and will focus on revolutionising online interaction with members, improving online member research, better harnessing BIG data and/or significantly improving online member experiences to drive up member engagement.

We caught up with Susie to see why she is looking forward to the day!

 

'I am really looking forward to chairing this seminar stream.  The content is timely because members' online journeys/experiences have such a critical impact on how deeply they engage and can ultimately mean the difference between joining/renewing or just walking away. My seminar stream will incorporate a range of presentations and interactive sessions where membership and association professionals will be able to share their knowledge and experience.''

 

This Seminar Stream is sponsored by Premier IT

 

Find out more about Susie's seminar stream...
Enabling Pain-Free Online Member Payments

Our members are keen to pay for their annual membership subscriptions, products and services via quick, flexible and more convenient online payment options. At the same time we are looking for faster, more robust and cost-effective ways to process/collect fees.

 Great Speakers

BACs accredited training course provider Gavin Lawrence (Clear Academy) and Bottomline Technologies Team Leader, Andrew Strickland, will co-chair a seminar stream (sponsored by Bottomline Technologies) dedicated to this critical topic.

The stream will investigate new and innovative online payment themed sessions that will investigate 'paperless' Direct Debit, online payment option optimisation, related cost-cutting, outsourcing options and new/emerging cloud-based online payment options.

The seminar stream will commence with a Direct Debit themed session (led by Head of Bacs Marketing, Mike Hutchinson) who will investigate why membership sector take-up is not as high as it could be despite this payment option being 'the preferred way to pay'. 

Delegates will learn from real-life case studies and we are pleased to announce that the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) will share their recent experience of successful online payment integration.

 

This Seminar Stream is sponsored by Bottomline Technologies

 

Find out more about this great seminar stream...

Who will be attending the conference?

Over 100 membership organisations and associations have already registered to attend and places within the above break-out sessions are selling out fast!

Alternative Investment Management Association, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Biochemical Society, British Dietetic Association, British Institute of Facilities Management, Chartered Banker Institute, Chartered Institute of Housing, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Chemical Industries Association, Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, Fire Industry Association, Fostering Network, Immigration Law Practitioners' Association, Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Institute of Leadership & Management, Institute of Physics, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers, Migraine Action, NACE International, National Landlords Association, PHG Foundation, Public Relations Consultants' Association, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Society of Medicine, Society of General Microbiology, The Institution of Structural Engineers, The Physiological Society, The Vintners' Company and Unite the Union.


We believe there is nothing better than a recommendation from fellow membership organisation and association professional so don't just take our word for it.

 

See what the sector has to say about our national conferences and events...

How do I book at the Early Bird rate?
Although the 'Early Bird' pass promotion came to an end in August we wanted to provide you with one last chance to register and save �20 off the full delegate rate.

Booking your place is quick and simple.

You can book online and choose to pay either via credit card, debit card, PayPal or via Invoice.

Ensure that you enter promotional code 'LINK' against the 'Membership Professional Pass' ticket option to save �20 off the full ticket price.

We are also pleased to provide you with the opportunity to make a group booking and save �169. Our 3 for 2 promotion has been extended thanks to our Official Conference Partners APT Solutions and the Deeson Group.

Book your place now...
  
Next Lunch & Learn: Strengthening your governance
All membership organisations and trade associations need to have an effective governing body in place and this free 'lunch and learn' will focus on 'getting it right'. 

- Strengthening your governance arrangements
- 19th September, Devonshire House, London

This interactive session will give practical advice on effective governance. We will focus on sharing ideas on what works well and how to overcome difficult issues. Facilitated by Sandra De Lord, Trade Associations Partner in Kingston Smith LLP, the session will focus on:

- Leadership and controlFocus Group
- Roles and responsibilities
- Focus and direction
- Board skills
- Financial management

A team of professional advisers and experts will be available to share their experience and answer your questions. Places are limited on this session so book your place today.

Who should attend? Chairpersons, governing bodies and members of the senior management team.

Agenda:

11:30 - Registration
12:00 - Interactive Presentation
12:45 - Question and Answer Session
13:00 - Networking Lunch
 

Harnessing the Web Benchmarking Survey Invitation!
We are pleased to announce the launch of this year's Harnessing the Web 2013 benchmarking survey!

The survey provides a free and unique opportunity to understand how the membership sector is utilising the web to drive membership value and growth.

The results from this major membership and association sector survey will enable you to 'temperature check' how your organisation harnesses the web and will help inform (via statistically significant sector trends) your future web-based activity to better optimise member engagement, value and growth.
  
Last year our survey was completed by 316 membership organisations and associations, the results were statistically significant and our survey summary report (sponsored by IndigoBlue) has been downloaded an incredible 2,500 times.
 
  
This year we take a 'deeper dive' into emerging topic areas including effective use of web analytics, content management and email analytics.
We will deliver a survey summary report in early 2014 that will make comparisons and see how we have changed/developed over the past 12 months.
  
We appreciate that you are busy, so the survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Please click the link below to take part:

Take part in our survey now...

All respondents who submit their contact details will automatically receive a copy of the survey benchmarking report and will also be added to our free prize draw to win one of two �50 John Lewis vouchers or one of five passes for the 'Harnessing the Web 2013' conference (worth �159) where the preliminary results will be announced on 8th October.
  
Your individual response will remain confidential/anonymous and will also help to guide future MemberWise Network activity.
MembershipJobs.com - Latest vacancies
MembershipJobs.comAt last. All the latest sector vacancies in just one place.

www.MembershipJobs.com 

 

Latest roles:  


Professional Development Team Manager
Energy Institute, London (�30-35k)

Membership & Marketing Executive
Fundraising & Standards Board CIC, London (�25-28k)

Association Manager
Quality Research Association, Ipswich (�45-65k)

 

Find your next role...
Follow the latest vacancies on Twitter...
 

 

Looking to fill a vacancy? - Our dedicated new job website is fast becoming the leading way to find the right candidate. We can communicate your vacancy to over 1,400 membership and association professionals via our growing network.

How much does it cost? From as little as �99 for a 30-day advert

Where will vacancies be advertised? Affiliated networks, MembershipJobs website, monthly eUpdate, monthly job alert, LinkedIn Group and Twitter.


Visit MembershipJob.com...

The latest online banter...

Our online professional networking group continues to provide you with a unique opportunity to network with over 800+ senior 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 MemberWise Recognised Suppliers.

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

 

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

Social networks logo 

1: Moving from technical to e-based learning
2: Membership Value Poll - Up or Down?
3: Interested in a value-added benefit event?
4: Your approach to reinstatement fees?
5: Reduce fees for members on maternity leave?
6: A good CMS whitepaper for you!

 

Join in the conversation... 

And finally - Something to make you think...

Our network is all about sharing so here is our regular 'Think Piece' article submitted by Susie Kay from The Professionalism Group.

Think

 

One of the lessons I have learned over a long period working in this sector is that, although people love theory which helps them understand why results happen, they very much appreciate and value sound practical advice that helps them to do their jobs more effectively.  

 

One of the dangers, however, is blanket coverage which can result in square pegs being far too firmly driven into round holes, resulting in irrelevant resourcing and expenditure.

 

So, if our mission is to utilise the web effectively to enhance our data capture and to give us some answers as to how to provide improved member experiences, perhaps we also have to take a step back and ask ourselves: "Do we know what the questions are?" 

 

For each organisation the route they will need to travel to convert virtual information into practical and tangible benefits for their members is likely to be slightly different.  The advice is accurate but there is a need to ensure that it is relevant.  I am fairly certain that each and every one needs to pause while gathering up their data so that they can ask why they are doing it and how it will convert into value-add for their community.  

 

Hopefully I will see you at the conference in October! 

Find out more about The Professionalism Group...

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
Chair
The MemberWise Network

eUpdate Partner
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See the future of engagement management in a 4-Minute Quick Tour and learn how iMIS 20 can simplify your technology needs, boost member engagement, and improve organisational performance.

 

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Social Media Training
Like?  
Optimising Member Engagement Through
Social Media

7th October
150 Southampton Row
London

Our interactive training course will help you to take a more structured and results-driven approach to your organisation's social media activity and presence.

Unlike other social media training offerings this course is truly unique as it harnesses the MemberWise Network's unique sector insight to showcase
best-practice
case studies.
  
Conference Sponsors
Harnessing the web   
Harnessing the Web 2013 Official Partners, Supporters and Exhibitors

This year we are pleased to announce the following sponsors and exhibitors:

Official Partners

APT Solutions

Deeson Member Communications
  

Official Supporters
 
Bottomline Technologies

IndigoBlue

Premier IT

THINK

Exhibitors
  
3Si

Access Group

ACEVO

ASI Europe

Conference Business Agency

Feusd

Fundtech

NelsonCroom

NextXtra
�berLabs

Pixl8

Silverbear

Vista Design
 
  
Suppliers: 4 exhibition spaces are available. Request further information...
New Supplier 
We are pleased to welcome the following new MemberWise Recognised Supplier:

ADAPTA
(IS Consultancy)

 

Find out more...

  
MemberWise Events
Featured service

September (19th)
Strengthening Your Governance
Lunch & Learn Seminar

---
October (7th)
Optimising Member Engagement via Social Media
---
October (8th)
Harnessing the Web 2013

Find out more... 

MemberWise website

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