--- title: "Creating a Member-Oriented Online Community" id: "11117" type: "post" slug: "creating-a-member-oriented-online-community" published_at: "2017-03-13T00:00:00+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T02:49:33+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/03/13/creating-a-member-oriented-online-community/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/03/13/creating-a-member-oriented-online-community.md" excerpt: "By its very definition, an association’s online community is a place where members can meet and share with others who best understand them and their problems—and maybe their sense of humor, too. Unless you’re a mathematician, you probably haven’t heard..." taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "ASAEcenter" - "Collaboration Tools" - "Communications" - "Member Engagement" - "online communities" - "peer support" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Creating a Member-Oriented Online Community By its very definition, an association’s online community is a place where members can meet and share with others who best understand them and their problems—and maybe their sense of humor, too. Unless you’re a mathematician, you probably haven’t heard the one about the logician’s wife: *A logician’s wife just had a baby. The doctor hands the newborn to the dad. The wife says, “Is it a boy or a girl?” The logician answers: “Yes.”* Since every baby is either a boy or a girl, this question can be answered positively—if you [process it with Boolean logic (opens in a new tab)](http://www.businessinsider.com/smart-joke-explanations-2013-6#a-logicians-wife-is-having-a-baby-the-doctor-immediately-hands-the-newborn-to-the-dad-the-wife-says-is-it-a-boy-or-a-girl-the-logician-says-yes-3) . That joke probably doesn’t make you howl, but it might generate big laughs in the hallways of the Association of Symbolic Mathematics. And if we know anything, it’s that there is an association for every community of practice, trade, and occupation. > While a safe space to vent is nice, it’s not enough to attract members to your online community on a regular basis. They need to find actionable assets there as well. Peer support is a unique need that only your association can satisfy for your professional or industry community. A well-orchestrated social media environment that includes popular channels like Facebook and Twitter as well as a private online community geared to support your members can be [an invaluable and dynamic member benefit (opens in a new tab)](http://cmxhub.com/community-jobs-march-2015/) . After all, your members have problems that only other insiders can fully appreciate, and they may be looking for empathy, solutions, or even a good joke. ### Empathy Your online community should be a comfortable place for your members where they can express their feelings and opinions. Likewise, members should feel comfortable responding to one another’s feelings and opinions with acknowledgement and, where appropriate, constructive criticism. Creating a safe space like this isn’t easy, but having [a human moderator, whether paid or volunteer, goes a long way (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.higherlogic.com/moderation-101-6-tips-to-help-you-toe-the-community-line) to helping you achieve this result. But remember, moderators are only effective if your organization creates clear and concise community guidelines. If you can’t recruit or hire a moderator, then allowing members to flag inappropriate content can help you maintain an inviting and collegial online environment. ### Solutions While a safe space to vent is nice, it’s not enough to attract members to your online community on a regular basis. [They need to find actionable assets there as well (opens in a new tab)](https://skariphos.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/community-manager-toolkit-small-tactics-for-big-change/) . Your members may naturally share their own solutions, but you might also need to encourage this kind of behavior. To do this, organize interest groups, set up “Ask Me Anything” sessions or live chats, or create stellar blog content with industry thought leaders to catch members’ attention. To make your online space a go-to destination for those seeking help, appoint ambassadors who can provide expert and best practice tips. The phrase “If you build it, they will come” is only true if you put your industry’s key players and thought leaders on the field in addition to giving them the necessary equipment. ### Humor Finally, while 24-hour news may be indispensable for some folks, you might be surprised how many of your members want an online space where they can share lighthearted aspects of their lives and careers. Give your members a sandbox where they can play, swap stories, and show that they aren’t just professional robots. [Once they’ve taken to the space (opens in a new tab)](https://dl.sps.northwestern.edu/blog/2015/07/the-importance-of-icebreakers-in-online-classes/) , it will create a positive feedback loop where your community becomes empathetic and welcoming for new members, and in turn they will be more willing to contribute ideas and solutions. The beauty of an online community is that it can be there to support your members in their hour of crisis or need—and to celebrate and share in their hours of victory. Satisfy your members’ desire for business solutions, a virtual high-five, or a shared laugh by providing them with a member-powered online community. [Luke Zimmer](https://associationsnow.com/author/luke-zimmer/) Luke Zimmer is manager of sections and member engagement at the American Staffing Association in Alexandria, Virginia. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/luke-zimmer/) [Oona Schmid](https://associationsnow.com/author/oona-schmid/) Oona Schmid is chief of staff at Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, Inc., in Alexandria, Virginia. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/oona-schmid/) Tags: [#Collaboration Tools](https://associationsnow.com/tag/collaboration-tools/) [#Communications](https://associationsnow.com/tag/communications/) [#Member Engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-engagement/) [#online communities](https://associationsnow.com/tag/online-communities/) [#peer support](https://associationsnow.com/tag/peer-support/) **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/) - [ArticleThe Community Advantage: Centering Humans in the Age of AIAugust 12, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/12/the-community-advantage-centering-humans-in-the-age-of-ai/) - [ArticleThree FAQs for Creating Custom Member Portals for AssociationsMarch 23, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/23/three-faqs-for-creating-custom-member-portals-for-associations/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) ## 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%2F2017%2F03%2F13%2Fcreating-a-member-oriented-online-community%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !