Associations and Red Rover
Associations and Red Rover are a metaphor for how I see things.
We now have an association for everything in the world.
My fave: Association of Underwater Basket Weavers.
Here is what I believe successful associations will provide in our brave new world.
I‘m not throwing shade. (And if I were, I wouldn’t mention it.)
Even if the concept of associations and Red Rover is kinda obtuse, it is worth looking at.
What are Associations?
An association creates a self-defined community. Its mission, by-laws, board, management, communications, and all that jazz are generated to attract, build, and sustain the organization.
In order to better understand what they are, I tossed some ideas around about associations and what they can be by looking at them through two completely different concepts.
Marriage and Red Rover
One is marriage. Marriages have changed over time and they mean different things to different people. They also mean different things depending on the culture.
Are associations similar?
The other is a simple children’s game: ‘Red Rover.’
What I love about Red Rover is that it went from being an individual game to being a team game. Also, this is a game that has adapted over time and cultures.
I guess marriage and Red Rover are pretty similar.
Getting served
You want to belong, you get a call, or you notice ‘that thing’ that you want.
Or that person.
Or even that group.
You:
- check out what’s offered
- decide you want it
- join
- want more
- need more
- try to get more
Staying power
How do you engage people and keep them engaged?
That thing that people come for at the end of the day is quite simple: Belonging.
But what do you have to do to belong?
- Are there rituals?
- Dues?
- Helpers?
Results
You get what you put into it.
- But how is that measured?
- Who measures it?
- When do they measure it?
- With whom are those measurements shared?
- Which measurements are shared?
- How do you judge the usefulness of those measurements?
- Who sits at the head of the table?
- Who eats first?
How you can do better
When I look for Partners, I look for those that also believe in the greatest good for the greatest number.
That means when I share an opportunity with my people, I don’t look for the thing that will give only me the greatest ROI, nope, I offer something that aligns with THEIR needs, mission, goals, or even hopes.
I know, how quaint.