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A PROGRAM OF THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
 

IOM Blog

October 25, 2013

How Long Do You Keep Lapsed Members On The Books?

If you don’t know, I bet it’s spelled out in your Bylaws. While not scientific, I’d suggest most organizations are either 90 or 120 days, which means your real membership numbers are inflated by 25% to 33%.

I’m not a fan of counting non dues paying members as members!

Have you ever thought about dropping members on their due date? Why not?

Don’t let your members play the membership game with your organization.  I’ve been there!  They wait one day past their 90 or 120 grace period, go off the books and then rejoin with a new due date.

They just got 15 or 16 months of membership for the price of 12.  That’s no way to run a chamber.

And by the way, how many of you offer a 25% discount in connection with an upcoming program that they can save even more money?  It’s happening all the time all across the country.

In addition, you’re spending money on these (essentially) non-members who are not contributing to your bottom line.

Something to think about!

Raymond P. Towle
Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE
Vice President, Political Affairs & Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE is vice president of Political Affairs & Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Before joining the Chamber, Towle was vice president of Member Resources at the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). An accomplished association executive, Towle has more than 22 years of experience in association management, including strategic planning, governance, membership, sponsorships, affinity programs, expositions, professional development and public policy; six years in grassroots management; and more than five years on Capitol Hill. Follow Raymond on Twitter @ChamberLeader.

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