What’s your plan when your association chapter admin retires?

Updated: Sep. 11, 2023  |  Categories: Board Overload, Outdated Processes, Chapter Leadership Turnover  

People join associations for more than continuing education and networking

Updated: Sep. 11, 2023  |  Categories: Member Communications, Low Engagement  

Thinking of starting an association? Become a national affiliate chapter instead

Updated: Sep. 12, 2023  |  Categories: Board Productivity, National Perspective  

Starting a chapter of an existing association is a lot easier than starting a new organization. Learn why, some of the benefits and the first few things to do after you’ve decided to join that organization.

Up your website game and increase local member value

Updated: Sep. 12, 2023  |  Categories: Website, Low Engagement  

If you’re watching your association chapter membership stagnate or drop, your website quality could be part of the problem. Learn five ways to improve your member value and better engage everyone who visits it.

Getting association chapter sponsors – it’s not as hard as you think

Updated: Aug. 8, 2023  |  Categories: Fundraising, Revenues  

Annual sponsorships can take time to plan and aren’t the right fit for all organizations. Here are some ways to bring in association chapter sponsors more quickly, without the financial and time commitment of annual sponsorships.

Hold family friendly association chapter events and watch attendance rise

Updated: Jul. 10, 2023  |  Categories: Meetings/Events, Low Engagement  

Members want to attend association chapter events, but childcare shouldn’t be one of the reasons they give for not attending your in-person ones. Learn two ways to make your association chapter events more parent- and child-friendly.

Clean up your association chapter email this summer for success this fall

Updated: Jul. 10, 2023  |  Categories: Member Communications  

Reviewing and cleaning up an chapter email database should be a yearly priority. Learn why Summer, when things are typically quieter for association chapters, is a great time to complete this activity, to be better prepared for your next chapter year.

Writing the association chapter event descriptions that bring in members

Updated: Jul. 10, 2023  |  Categories: Meetings/Events, Website  

An association chapter event description could be the only information a potential attendee gets about your event. Here are six ways you can ensure you have strong association chapter event titles and descriptions.

The future of your association chapter webmaster – get them some help!

Updated: Jun. 5, 2023  |  Categories: Website, Board Overload  

Gone are the days of a single person controlling and executing everything related to an association chapter website. Learn the reasons your webmaster deserves some help. And how to give it to them.

How to engage young professionals in networking to give them the key to the hidden job market

Updated: Jun. 5, 2023  |  Categories: Meetings/Events, Low Engagement, Decreasing Membership  

Chapter networking can help young professional association chapter members find jobs and members fill open positions. Learn why you need to make time for association chapter networking and five things young professionals should know about networking.

What does an effective newsletter look like? How effective is yours?

Updated: Jun. 5, 2023  |  Categories: Member Communications  

Newsletters are a great way to engage with members, member guests, sponsors, etc. Learn the five best practices for association chapter newsletters.

Experience events – the future of in-person association chapter events

Updated: May. 2, 2023  |  Categories: Meetings/Events  

Association chapters are rethinking events and turning some of theirs into association chapter experiences. Experiences are a highly effective way to bring in members and connect them to chapters.

Re-engaging association chapter members after the height of the pandemic

Updated: May. 2, 2023  |  Categories: Low Engagement  

Learn three ways to give association chapter members what they need to engage and (re)engage, with your association chapter, in-person and virtually.

Attracting younger members is key to your association chapter’s membership growth strategy

Updated: May. 2, 2023  |  Categories: Decreasing Membership  

Learn three ways to better attract young professionals and bring them into your association chapter.

Turn Your Meeting Archives Into A Robust Association Chapter Resource

Updated: Apr. 26, 2023  |  Categories: Member Communications, Meetings/Events, Website, Low Engagement  

Give your association chapter meeting resources a purpose and deliver multiple benefits to your association chapter and all those you interact with.

Share Your Association Chapter’s Strategic Plan, And Make Members A More Considered Part Of That Plan

Updated: Apr. 26, 2023  |  Categories: Member Communications, Board Productivity, Low Engagement  

Including chapter membership in the review of your association chapter strategic plan will help ensure the decisions your board makes are the right ones, while getting your membership more committed to your vision.

Make It Easy For Your Association Chapter Members To Find Chapter Information

Updated: Apr. 26, 2023  |  Categories: Membership, Board Productivity, Website  

Members rely on your association chapter for education, advocacy, networking, etc. To keep them engaged and interested in your chapter and all it has to offer, make it easy as possible for them to find the information they need.

Keep moving forward – ask the right questions in your annual chapter vendor evaluation

Updated: Mar. 7, 2023  |  Categories: Lack of Resources  

Learn the benefits of evaluating all your chapter systems once a year. And find out the top questions to ask in an annual chapter vendor evaluation.

Moving to an AMS – 6 steps to success

Updated: Mar. 5, 2023  |  Categories: Too Many Systems to Manage  

Learn the 6 things we recommend chapters do before starting their move to an Association Management System, to be as prepared as they can be, lower the chances for error and streamline the transition process.

Association chapter mergers – 5 steps to a successful new chapter

Updated: Mar. 5, 2023  |  Categories: Decreasing Membership  

Once chapters decide to merge, there are several things that they will want to do to ensure the new chapter is successful. Learn the top five association chapter merger activities.

Looking for new volunteers? Time to tap into your student population for help with your association chapter activities

Updated: Feb. 2, 2023  |  Categories: Volunteer Recruitment  

Connect with local high school and college students for help filling your volunteer needs. You get the volunteers you need while simultaneously filling your association chapter membership pipeline.

5 ways to improve engagement through association chapter member new year’s resolutions

Updated: Feb. 2, 2023  |  Categories: Low Engagement  

5 ways to help your members make their new year’s resolutions stick, while tying professional development and chapter engagement to those resolutions.

3 ways to manifest your association chapter visions and turn wishes into reality

Updated: Feb. 2, 2023  |  Categories: Board Productivity  

Association chapter vision boards can help you deliver the chapter improvements you’ve been talking about. Here are three ideas for getting everyone focused on what’s important to your chapter.

4 benefits of a public forum on your association chapter website (and ideas for sustaining one!)

Updated: Jan. 9, 2023  |  Categories: Low Engagement  

Four ways online association chapter forums can strengthen chapter communities outside of regular engagement, and give you increased loyalty, retention and growth.

Getting members back to in-person events – how to approach the different meeting personalities you need to engage

Updated: Jan. 10, 2023  |  Categories: Meetings/Events  

There are different types of association chapter in-person event attendees. Provide the information each needs to be comfortable in-person and there’s a better chance they’ll come. Here are ideas for connecting with each type.

3 ways association chapters can improve their revenue – a StarChapter webinar

Updated: Jan. 9, 2023  |  Categories: Revenues  

Learn non-dues revenue strategies our customers have found successful. Consider trying some of them in your own association chapter.

StarChapter —the right system for AMCs and their chapters. A conversation with Logan Beszterda, AMC - Association Management Consultants, LLC

Updated: Dec. 5, 2022  |  Categories: Too Many Systems to Manage  

Learn how using StarChapter benefits an association chapter and the AMC that supports it. We spoke with Logan Beszterda, vice president of strategic development for AMC - Association Management Consultants, LLC.

A CRM? An AMS? What’s the difference and what does your association chapter really need?

Updated: Dec. 5, 2022  |  Categories: Lack of Resources  

Understand the differences between customer relationship management and association management software systems. Start to clarify which is better for your association chapter.

10 Ways to Make Meaningful Connections in Association Chapter Networking Events - a conversation with NACE’s Sarah James

Updated: Nov. 8, 2022  |  Categories: Meetings/Events  

Sarah James, former NACE Alamo program chair and now member of the NACE national board discusses how to make association chapter networking events engaging, interesting, and relevant for everyone.

Help your association chapter members justify attending your event

Updated: Nov. 7, 2022  |  Categories: Low Engagement  

Learn why people attend association chapter events, what they want from them, and how they can easily see your event (whether a monthly meeting, networking or a multi-day conference) provides what they need.

What an association chapter board transition should “REALLY” look like

Updated: Nov. 7, 2022  |  Categories: Board Productivity  

Here are a few things to help your association chapter board transition go smoothly, while keeping your momentum, successes, and the chapter going.

4 ways the StarChapter AMS helped ACI Georgia triple their membership

Updated: Oct. 10, 2022  |  Categories: Too Many Systems to Manage  

ACI Georgia continues to thrive and expand using the StarChapter AMS. Here are four of the ways StarChapter helps.

3 signs it’s time for an association chapter board member reboot

Updated: Oct. 10, 2022  |  Categories: Board Productivity, Chapter Leadership Turnover  

Here are 3 signs your association board may need a board member reboot. Is it time for one of your members to step down or get some needed training?

Non-dues revenue helps BOMA Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beaches (FTL/PB), deliver value that gets members to stick around

Updated: Oct. 10, 2022  |  Categories: Revenues  

Melanie Barest, executive director for Building Owners & Managers Association of FTL/PB, shares their local association success with non-dues revenue.

7 ways to bring more people to your association chapter meetings and events

Updated: Sep. 12, 2022  |  Categories: Low Engagement  

Update your association chapter event process to make your meetings memorable and the ones people want to attend. Most of these ideas require just a little planning, time, and a volunteer or two.

5 ways to sustain your association chapter – and keep it going for the long-term

Updated: Sep. 12, 2022  |  Categories: Lack of Resources  

If your association chapter seems to be sinking rather than surviving, here are 5 ways to improve chapter performance; better engage volunteers, members and potential members; and increase your reserves.

Engaging high school and college students– an association chapter story with staying power

Updated: Sep. 12, 2022  |  Categories: Decreasing Membership  

Give high school and college students in your area the resources and reasons they need to connect with your chapter before they realize they need you.

Don’t let your association chapter retire with you – leave it better than you found it

Updated: Aug. 17, 2022  |  Categories: Board Overload, Lack of Single Source Support  

Eliminating risk is critical to ensuring the long-term success of your chapter. Here are 5 ways to leave your association chapter better than you found it.

Millennials Forcing Change in the Chapter Ecosystem

Updated: Aug. 5, 2022  |  Categories: Decreasing Membership  

Millennial chapter members could be forcing change and uprooting all the things you’ve used historically to engage members -- the traditional networking and continuing education, the outdated website, and more.

Transitioning to a new AMS doesn’t have to be Overwhelming

Updated: Aug. 5, 2022  |  Categories: Board Productivity, Too Many Systems to Manage, Lack of Single Source Support  

Learn how StarChapter works with customers to understand needs and prioritize our defined, organized process. We ensure success right from the start by correctly configuring the StarChapter AMS to support a chapter’s goals and processes.

Email spoofing – a 2022 association chapter update

Updated: Jul. 11, 2022  |  Categories: Member Communications  

Spammers are getting sneakier and finding ways around the security chapters have put in place. Here are some reminders and updates to share with your association chapter members related to email spoofing.

5 ways to drive volunteers to say yes

Updated: Jul. 11, 2022  |  Categories: Volunteers, Volunteer Recruitment  

To give up their limited personal time, your members need to get something a little more tangible out of association chapter volunteering. Here are a few things about volunteering you may not have thought to tell them.

Do you need an executive director, an AMS, or a combination? A conversation with Patrick Algyer, Encore Engagement Solutions

Updated: Jul. 13, 2022  |  Categories: Lack of Resources  

Some chapters may benefit from using an association chapter executive director. For others, an AMS system may help. There’s also a third group, that may find a combination of the two is what they need.

Diversify chapter association membership to give members what they’re missing

Updated: Jun. 6, 2022  |  Categories: Decreasing Membership  

Expanding association chapter membership can help your chapter and your members. If you do it right. This conversation with Bernard Nunies of SHRM Hawaii will give you some new ideas for your own chapter.

How to keep volunteering feeling good

Updated: Jun. 6, 2022  |  Categories: Volunteers, Volunteer Recruitment  

Volunteering should feel like something your members want to do. Here are some things you can do and say to make volunteering in your chapter something members want to do, not feel like they must.

Association chapter networking – got Millennials and Gen Z members in the room?

Updated: Jun. 6, 2022  |  Categories: Low Engagement  

Networking remains critical to millennial and generation Z differentiation and overall career success. But they’re forgoing traditional networking. Here are ways to give them what they want.

Does your association chapter have a retention challenge? Or is it a member value problem?

Updated: May. 2, 2022  |  Categories: Decreasing Membership  

There could be a gap between the member value you think you’re delivering and what is actually important to your members. Here are some ways to figure that out.

3 ways to make your job board the first-place organizations post openings

Updated: May. 2, 2022  |  Categories: Revenues  

Are job postings and resumes enough to get organizations to choose your job board over other posting opportunities? Here are three ways you can help them get the people they need, faster. And bring in additional chapter revenue.

8 ways to make your virtual meeting breakout rooms successful

Updated: May. 2, 2022  |  Categories: Low Engagement  

Breakout rooms add the depth and interest to your virtual events that your members long for. Here are eight ways you can have better breakout rooms at your next virtual meeting.

3 Reasons to Replace Your Association Chapter Listserv with an Online Forum

Updated: Apr. 4, 2022  |  Categories: Decreasing Membership  

The top three reasons a listserv is no longer the best communication option for your association chapter, and why you should replace your listservs with an online forum.