Want to attract college students or recent graduates to your association? Rethink your membership model.

“College students and recent graduates are a member and customer segment with unique challenges, needs, and interests,” says the MemberSuite team on its blog. “Their biggest barrier to association membership and participation is financial,” which includes student loan debt, low entry-level salaries, and a lack of employer support for membership and professional development.

Because money is top of mind, consider a transitional membership model.

“In a transitional membership model, dues are extremely low for the first year out of school and increase gradually over five years or so,” the team says. “To provide additional value, you could offer complimentary programs to transitional members, for example, online learning or conference registration.”

Another way to recruit the next generation: career and educational resources.

“Encourage employers to post internships, externships, apprenticeships, and entry-level jobs in your career center. You may even want to offer reduced pricing for these postings,” the team says. “Young adults have a lot to learn and don’t always know what they need to learn, but you do. Offer a mix of videos, articles, tip sheets, webinars, and online learning programs.”

Take a Wellness Break

To help re-energize your attendees, improve their cognitive performance, mood, and increase their blood flow, integrate short fitness breaks into your event. Learn more: https://t.co/V1v1Fuk1FA#Aventri #BalanceForBetter #WorkLifeBalance #MeetingProfs #EventProfs #WellnessEvents

— Stova (@stovatech) November 1, 2019

A meeting that requires attendees to sit all day? No, thank you. Taking a break to get up and move, away from the excitement of your event, can help guests de-stress and recharge.

Put wellness into focus with meditation breaks, a group stretching session, chair massages, or screen-free zones. Or consider setting a stress-free tone from the start by choosing a venue that promotes wellness.

“Look for venues that offer outdoor venue space, outside activities, and are walking distance to parks, beaches, shops, bike paths, etc.,” says Aventri’s Kaitlyn Tatulli on the aventri blog.

Other Links of Note

What’s the secret for engaging visuals on social media? The Hootsuite blog has the answer.

Strategic planning is necessary but flawed, argues The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Another gripe about open office plans: When companies switched to an open office, face-to-face interactions fell by 70 percent, says Harvard Business Review.

(adamkaz/iStock/Getty Images Plus)