Ok, well maybe not totally right, but certainly not as wrong as the droves of bloggers who are taking issue with his post are expressing….

What a radical and great idea about membership! I think you’re right on the money that nonprofit associations should have concerns about free on-line communities that will harm their value proposition. That’s dead on!

Thanks for sharing Dave.

In a down economy, the speed of change for non-profits should ideally be significantly improved. What should keep most association execs up at night is the fact that free on-line communities either are already, or will soon be created, that will harm their value proposition. A strategy to deal with these new competitors (who are nimble, quick and likely their members) should be a high priority for most associations.

If I were an association executive, I’d consider giving free membership to significant industry influencers that contribute their time and help advocate for the association on a regular and ongoing basis. If membership is shrinking, radical measures are in order.