--- title: "Monday Buzz: Fostering New Generations of Members" id: "33179" type: "post" slug: "monday-buzz-fostering-new-generations-of-members" published_at: "2016-05-02T21:19:14+00:00" modified_at: "2016-05-02T21:19:14+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/05/02/monday-buzz-fostering-new-generations-of-members/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/05/02/monday-buzz-fostering-new-generations-of-members.md" excerpt: "Check out these three tips to keep your membership thriving as more and more millennials enter the workforce. Plus: How are associations using email these days, anyway?" taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "generational gap" - "Member Engagement" - "Membership" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Monday Buzz: Fostering New Generations of Members College seniors across the country will be graduating soon, which means associations will have the opportunity to welcome a new generation of professionals and industry leaders into their ranks. New blood also means new engagement strategies, as countless studies have shown how millennials are approaching work and membership benefits differently from those of earlier generations. Luckily, [Association Success contributor Jamie Notter has some tips (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.associationsuccess.org/blog/dealing-with-the-changes-at-hand) to make the transition easier for both associations and their future members. When approaching a problem, knowledge is power, and so gathering information, like behavior trends, about the group you are trying to recruit will be incredibly helpful. But it’s crucial to approach your research with an open mind and not with already formed plans, according to Notter. “[L]earn with curiosity in mind,” Notter writes. “Learn and read and explore without knowing ahead of time how you’re going to apply what you have learned.” Knowing how your new membership thinks will help you make appropriate changes to your association’s culture and align yours with a new generation of values. As associations begin to make these improvements, Notter explains, they should remember that the goal isn’t a complete overhaul of the customs and behaviors of the organization: “Your job is not to create the one, perfect culture. Your job is to create a culture that works, and, because your employee base (and soon your member base) is changing, your culture needs to change too.” While rigidly imitating what millennials find appealing is not a good approach, organizations can learn from the ways members of generation Y are interacting in the workplace and society, to help create more enticing and effective management styles, Notter says. Above all else, he adds, remember that accommodating millennials is not about appealing to one generation but creating an environment that incorporates the ideas of many generations. ### Tweet of the Day > 2016: The Year of Email Marketing – [https://t.co/a6uIghYGDr (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/a6uIghYGDr) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#emailmarketing (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/emailmarketing?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/Zez2OuR2n8 (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/Zez2OuR2n8) > > — MemberClicks (@MemberClicks) [May 2, 2016 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/MemberClicks/status/727130522456100864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **There has been much debate** recently over the future of email. To give perspective on the veteran communication method, *MemberClicks* highlights the results of a study by email-testing platform Email on Acid on how organizations across the country are [using email in 2016 (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.memberclicks.com/2016-the-year-of-email-marketing) . To put it simply: We’ll be spending more time and money attempting to build more effective email messages. ### Other Good Reads **Forward thinking is the future.** Velvet Chainsaw’s Jeff Hurt finishes his four-part series on future-focused planning with a look at the [benefits of forward thinking (opens in a new tab)](http://velvetchainsaw.com/2016/05/02/future-forward-thinking-cultures-lead-extraordinary-results/) . **Thinking of taking the Certified Association Executive exam?** Bruce Hammond, CAE, the director for governance and operations at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, has suggestions on the best [ways to approach the test. (opens in a new tab)](http://connect2amc.com/58-cae-process-reflections) **Find out what people want to know about their association leaders.** *MarketingProfs* contributor Ayaz Nanji shares an infographic revealing what the public expects to see from [CEOs on social media (opens in a new tab)](http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2016/29809/ceos-and-social-media-what-the-public-expects-of-leaders-infographic) . (iStock/Thinkstock) [Eli Zimmerman](https://associationsnow.com/author/eli-zimmerman/) Eli is studying Journalism at the University of Maryland. When not studying, he likes to relax with a nice book or a couple rounds at the local boxing gym. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/eli-zimmerman/) Tags: [#generational gap](https://associationsnow.com/tag/generational-gap/) [#Member Engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-engagement/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoNCRA: Safeguarding Cancer Surveillance: An Advocacy Response to FY26 Budget ThreatsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/ncra-safeguarding-cancer-surveillance-an-advocacy-response-to-fy26-budget-threats/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F05%2F02%2Fmonday-buzz-fostering-new-generations-of-members%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !