Daily Buzz: The Challenges of a Virtual Chapter

With the world going digital, it’s only natural that associations jump in on the trend with virtual chapters. But launching such a program comes with its own set of challenges—namely, who qualifies for virtual chapter membership?

“Some associations are concerned that virtual chapters will end up competing for members with national and other chapters,” writes the BillHighway team on its blog  (opens in a new tab). “If you require dual membership, national shouldn’t have any worries. However, it’s a different story for your chapters. Will they see a virtual chapter as ‘cannibalizing’ their membership?”

Ultimately, your team will have to define its own parameters for membership. For instance, maybe you limit membership to those who live at least 100 miles from a geographic chapter. But let’s say a member who lives within 100 miles of a local chapter doesn’t drive. What then? Of course, you don’t want to exclude anybody, so make sure to set a rule for special cases, too.

Another challenge: leadership. Like any other chapter, a virtual program will need an internal leadership structure, including officers, a board, committees, and so on. But this becomes increasingly harder in the absence of face-to-face interaction.

“Communication takes on more importance in these circumstances, which is why you must choose the right collaboration platform,” the team says. “Make sure everyone stays in the loop and understands the need for transparency.”

Your Guide to Greener Events

Sustainable practices in the event planning industry is both difficult and rewarding. Planning greener meetings isn’t on every event planners mind, & there are reasons for that. Here’s our Event Planners’ Guide to Sustainability! #EarthDay2019  (opens in a new tab) #EarthDay  (opens in a new tab) https://t.co/gmCwTuFtzq  (opens in a new tab)

— SmartMeetings (@SmartMeetings) April 22, 2019  (opens in a new tab)

Planning greener meetings doesn’t require an overhaul of event best practices. Kellie Hanna writes on Smart Meetings  (opens in a new tab) that changing your thinking on key planning decisions, such as choosing a venue and lighting setup, can be the difference between being eco-friendly and not.

“It’s a common myth that it’s impossible to create a brilliant event that is both cost-effective and sustainable,” Hanna says. “But you really can have it all. Just a few simple actions can have a positive, lasting impact—not just on your event, but on the future, as well.”

Other Links of Note

Worried about hiring remote workers? Here’s how to overcome the fear  (opens in a new tab), from Forbes.

Publishing content online comes with risks. The Membership Guys discuss what to do if someone steals your materials  (opens in a new tab) in their latest podcast.

Amp up your association’s website with this 10-step checklist  (opens in a new tab) from Social Media Today.

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