Membership

The organization, long an icon of wholesomeness in a simpler America, has seen its membership plunge by 42 percent since its peak year of 1973, when there were 4.8 million scouts. In the last decade alone, membership has dropped by more than 16 percent, to 2.8 million.

The declines reflect the difficulties of keeping up with changing times and shifting demographics, as well as of battling a perception that the organization is exclusionary because it bars gay people and atheists, not to mention girls under 13.

WASHINGTON—Members of associations across the country give generously to community causes and organizations, but fewer than 15 percent ever make a contribution beyond dues and fees to the professional associations to which they belong. A new study recently published by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, The Decision to Give: What Motivates Individuals to Support Professional Associations, explores giving by association members both to community causes and to associations, while also highlighting some opportunities to increase donations among association members.

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Board of Directors today announced the election of G. Steven Dapper , chairman and founder of hawkeye, as chairman of the board. Don McKenzie , CEO of Direct Group, was elected vice chairman of the board. The terms of office commenced at DMA’s board meeting today in Washington, D.C.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (PPP) are involved in discussions aimed at developing an affiliation agreement and forming a united organization dedicated to advancing ethical fundraising and philanthropic planning practice.

AFP (which encompasses 30,000 fundraisers working in all aspects of the profession) and PPP (which represents over 8,000 individual and council members working in the area of philanthropic planning) are two of the largest fundraising organizations in the world. An affiliation between the two would help unify the fundraising profession and strengthen the holistic approach to serving donors and the charitable missions that they support. An affiliation would also provide greater educational opportunities; increased distribution and use of best standards and ethical practices; and a stronger voice on issues related to public policy, fundraising practice, and donor service.

Miriam Isserow
development consultant/
former development director
Women Empowered Against Violence

Truth be told, it was this nomination from Lauren Hines, development director at the Council for Court Excellence and a colleague of Miriam Isserow's, that prompted us to go with the "superhero" theme for this year's awards.

Matthew Bregman
director of development
El Museo del Barrio

Since Matt Bregman's arrival at El Museo del Barrio in spring 2006, private giving has soared from $2 million in FY02-05 to more than $6 million last year. But as impressive as those numbers are, it's not always just about numbers. According to Julián Zugazagoitia, director and CEO of El Museo del Barrio, Matt's leadership made it possible to reopen the museum to the public after a $35 million renovation.

Christina Johns
senior manager of DRTV and social networking
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

Christina Johns came onto FS' radar last year when she pitched an idea to write about social networking in regard to nonprofit organizations. We were impressed with how 
comfortable she was with a subject that was so new to the sector and one that was causing all kinds of angst among even the most 
daring fundraising pros. She has an impressive and easy grasp of (and genuine passion for) the social-
networking milieu — its possibilities, its limitations and the strategies needed to make it work.

September 17, 2009 — Association members are now more optimistic about the economy, according to the results of a new survey conducted this summer by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, which also found that association members are planning to participate more often in online events and less often in face-to-face meetings.

PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 2009 — According to a new survey of companies that manage associations and nonprofit organizations, more associations are turning to Association Management Companies (AMCs) for management expertise, finding added value in the flexibility of the AMC model. Demand for management services is up in 2009, and two thirds of AMCs forecast a greater number of clients in 2009 than 2008. AMC Institute, the trade association that represents the association management industry, today released results from a new survey of its members.

May 14, 2009, The Chronicle of Philanthropy — If your organization uses memberships as a way to raise money and connect with donors, you may be interested in a recent study at the University of Maryland showing a curious connection between the cost of membership and the rate that people sign up.