Limelight In the News
Generational shift threatens longevity of membership associations
Book informs associations how to recruit younger generations
One of the first books to address the threat of the generational shift to the future stability of membership associations has hit the marketplace.
The New Recruit: What every association needs to know about X, Y, and Z addresses the short life span that Boomer-centric membership associations are facing and viable solutions to successfully recruit and retain younger generations.
“The Baby Boomer generation has sustained membership associations for quite some time. As that era nears an end, it’s time to start thinking about X, Y, and Z—the next generation of association executives, board members, and volunteers, “stated Sarah L. Sladek, author.
Sladek is a Generation Xer who has worked and volunteered for numerous regional and national membership organizations. She started researching the absence of younger generations in membership associations in 2002 and has given presentations and published articles on the topic.
“While researching this book, it was fascinating to learn how my generation—Generation X—and the generations that follow are changing history. It’s also fascinating to learn that so few associations realize that change is even taking place,” Sladek said.
There are more than 100,000 membership associations in the United States, classified as trade and business organizations, service clubs, social and networking groups, chambers of commerce, or other dues-paying organizations.
Industry experts predict that by 2020, few membership associations will remain in existence, partly due to the generational shift.
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Sladek is featured presenter at ASAE conference
Sarah L. Sladek, author of The New Recruit and president of Limelight Associations, will be a featured speaker at the Great Ideas Conference 2007, January 27-30, in Marco Island, Florida. The conference is presented by ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) & the Center for Association Leadership. For more information about the conference, click here.
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Limelight’s client in the news
Limelight was mentioned in the January 1, 2007 issue of North Western Financial Review. The article, “Changing the Industry, One Woman at a Time” noted Financial Women International’s new strategic marketing efforts to boost association membership and change leadership demographics. FWI is a client of Limelight, which was noted in the article.
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