06/29/2021

Why Young Professionals Should Be Your Association's Next Investment

Create new ways for young professionals to engage

As any young professional will tell you, we move fast and expect everything instantly. And it sometimes seems that nothing moves slower than associations. While print media, film and retail have reinvented themselves to be on the next generation's radar, the structure, procedures and governance of associations haven't changed much.

As we begin to move into a post-COVID world, there is an amazing opportunity for associations to reinvent what it means to be a member and create new ways for young professionals to engage with the organization. Here are five changes young professionals would love to see take hold in the association industry in the next five years.

Involve young professionals in your top-level committees. We don't have to be the head of the steering committee. However, giving YPs a seat at the table and responsibility to manage a project will not only build our confidence and trust in the leadership, but it allows us to learn leadership and decision-making skills firsthand. We can bring forward a new perspective, boost your YP morale and eventually boost your customer pipeline.

Please select this link to read the complete article from ASAE's Center for Association Leadership.