---
title: "Magnetic Membership: Whither Millennials?"
id: "24437"
type: "post"
slug: "magnetic-membership-whither-millennials"
published_at: "2014-08-01T11:20:07+00:00"
modified_at: "2014-08-01T11:20:07+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/08/01/magnetic-membership-whither-millennials/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/08/01/magnetic-membership-whither-millennials.md"
excerpt: "Shari Jacobs, FASAE, CAE highlights the topic that always seems to draw attention people when she's presenting—millennials."
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  - "Membership"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "engagement data"
  - "Membership"
  - "millennials"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "Executive Team"
  - "VP"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

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 » Magnetic Membership: Whither Millennials?

As I have been visiting associations and speaking about the ideas in *The Art of Membership*, I’ve noticed that one particular presentation slide regularly provokes discussion. It’s about the millennial generation.

From what I’ve observed, there are five key things that members—particularly millennials—ask of their associations:

1. Teach me.
2. Listen to me.
3. Mentor me.
4. Acknowledge me.
5. Reward me.

While all five may be important to all generations, millennials are more likely to walk away from an organization if they are unable to give, take, and participate in meaningful ways. My recommendation: Review your policies regarding engaging speakers, authors, contributors, and volunteer leaders to ensure your association addresses all five issues.

(Getty Images RF)

[Sheri Jacobs, FASAE, CAE](https://associationsnow.com/author/sheri-jacobs-fasae-cae/)

Sheri Jacobs, FASAE, CAE, is president and CEO of Avenue M Group in Denver and Chicago.

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/sheri-jacobs-fasae-cae/)

Tags: [#engagement data](https://associationsnow.com/tag/engagement-data/)
 [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/)
 [#millennials](https://associationsnow.com/tag/millennials/)

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