Since last year's Associations Week, it's fair to say that the membership sector has more than proven itself adept at managing change. There's no doubt that associations have demonstrated their worth as creative, adaptive, flexible, innovative, ambitious, and responsive focal points of many professional communities. But at what cost? Heightened member expectations, increased demands to "do more with less", constantly competing priorities, and a digital culture that facilities (and arguably demands) 24/7 access to services, are all combining to threaten the exceptional endeavours of our sector, as well as the emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing of staff and volunteers. Are we slipping back into old ways? Are we defining the value proposition as quantity over quality? And are we forgetting that what drives membership is that unique sense of belonging amongst a community of peers? Elisa and Andrew take some time out to discuss and reflect on the health and wellbeing of our industry.
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