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Most association leaders face a persistent challenge: growing and retaining members. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of members who join for a year, drop off, and then rejoin two years later. While this cycle may seem harmless, it carries hidden costs—such as staff time, marketing expenses, onboarding resources, and software overhead—that can quietly drain your association’s budget.
One association we worked with at Association Executive Services (AES) had a growing membership base, but also a troubling churn rate. Members would join, stay for a year or two, and then leave, only to return later. When surveyed, many said they liked the association but felt no urgency to stay continuously. The value proposition was “okay,” and they knew they could rejoin anytime without consequence.
AES recommended a strategic but straightforward change: introduce a non-refundable $50 application fee for new members and those with significantly overdue renewals. The goal wasn’t to penalise but to:
The result? After 12 months, the association saw:
1. Offset Administrative Costs
Processing new members takes time, especially with eligibility checks, onboarding, and training. A modest fee helps cover these costs without straining existing resources.
2. Encourage Long-Term Commitment
An upfront investment nudges members to think carefully before joining. This leads to more stable and engaged memberships and fewer short-term sign-ups that add little value.
3. Elevate Perceived Value
When joining isn’t “free,” it signals that membership has real worth. This psychological shift can transform how members engage with your association.
At Association Executive Services, we specialise in helping associations:
Let’s talk about how we can help your association thrive.
📩 Contact AES today or book a free consultation to explore tailored solutions for your membership challenges.
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We’re seeing a growing trend. More and more groups are reaching out to start new associations.
In most cases, the reason is the same: "Our current association isn’t delivering."
That may well be true. Starting a new association is a serious commitment, not just a reaction. Let me be clear:
One of the most common — and often unexpected — challenges faced by association boards and leaders arises when a member develops a grievance against the organisation. In the association sector, this is not unusual. Most grievances begin with a concern or disagreement, but if not handled appropriately, they can escalate into a prolonged and disruptive issue.
Insights from the AES Technology Survey and Special Interest Group Discussion
Artificial Intelligence is now part of daily work for many association professionals.
Association Executive Services (AES) are soon to release its
annual report on technology in Australian Associations and recently facilitated a special interest group discussion on the use of AI in
participants' organisations.
How we help membership based, not-for-profit associations now and into the future.
