Posted by AEM under
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Shortly before I entered graduate school, I joined the Midwest Political Science Association. I received a thank you letter, copies of the Journal for the previous four quarters, and a membership invoice for the coming year - which was to begin the next month.
I had joined in August and the membership year started September 1.
The association should have given me a thirteen-month membership, pro-rated it for the one-month period, or deferred it until the September 1 starting date.
Charging me twelve months of dues for one month of membership was wrong and did not build customer support (obviously - it’s been a long time and I still remember). I did not renew.
Many associations, including ASAE and Association Forum, have a single, starting date for all members. They may feel it is easier and less costly to issue renewals at one time of year. It may also aid the budgeting process.
However, they may also miss membership sales opportunities, as people will be inclined to wait until the starting date next year before joining. Pro-rating mid-year membership may induce people to join sooner.
It may also be beneficial to issue a one-year membership beginning anytime of year and pro-rating the renewal to bring it into sync with the membership year.
Non-renewals are most likely to occur after the first year, when members decide whether their initial decision was wise. Pro-rating the second year makes the membership feel discounted (even though it’s not) and may make it easier to renew.
Whatever you do, don’t cheat members. They’ll never forget.
Posted by Ben Martin under
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Posted by Sue Pelletier under
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Here are this year’s Trade Show Week Fastest 50 (fastest growing trade shows). Congratulations on keeping growth up in a down economy.
Posted by Sue Pelletier under
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According to this article, convention planning is a great career choice because you get to enjoy nice long vacations when you go on site for a program. Say what?? The article describes it thusly:
If you can’t take time for a vacation, why not pursue a career where your job is actually an extended tour […]
Posted by Sue Pelletier under
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How could anyone not click on these headlines?
U.S. Peppers Cleared but be Leery of Lobster Liver
Foil Balloons Under Attack (which was followed by California Balloon Ban Deflates)
Someone’s having fun over at our sister magazine, Special Events, and it shows. Made me smile, anyway (and click over to the stories).
How compelling are your calls to […]
Posted by Wes Trochlil under
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Let’s face it, sometimes there is a mismatch between a person’s abilities or attitude, and the needs of the job. And when that mismatch occurs and can’t be remediated, it’s time to help that person find a new job.
But too often, for fear of looking like the bad guy, or just doing something that makes […]
Posted by Sue Pelletier under
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I had thought that perhaps towel origami was losing its grip on cruise ships and hotels around the world, but it looks like it’s still going strong. Behold the latest concoctions (via BoingBoing):
Awww.