Do members with new ideas drive you crazy?
- They don’t understand that’s not how your chapter rolls!
- Plus new ideas are welcome only during strategic planning – which only board members ever attend.
- Where were all the brilliant ideas then?
What would you do if these were YOUR members?
(This is another true story with names changed to protect those who need it.)
Cassie and Marcia don’t feel like the chapter meets the needs of people like them.
- They ask the board for some special programs or the ability to do a special interest group.
- They want to delve into some of the new ideas hitting the profession.
- The board turns them down.
Reasons given include:
- We already have a full calendar of events that few members attend.
- If you want to get involved, help with those events first.
- Maybe next year…
Cassie and Marcia decide to create their own organization.
- Within a matter of months, they launch – and attract quite a few members and sponsors.
- They offer hip, relevant programs focused on the near future.
- The new group is growing with every meeting.
How do you handle new ideas and enthusiastic members in your chapter?