I worry that chapters in the National Speakers Association are going out of business. I hate this. We can't become an elitist club. The chapters that are having the most success have two membership groups:
1. Members
2. Associates
Associates are NOT members. They can become members, and can hold some volunteer positions - not board positions.
NSA - are we chapter driven or national meeting driven? Do we want there to be no local chapters only a national organziation?
I think this would hurt speakers in the long run. Certainly we wouldn't be encouraging those early in their careers. Too many call these "wanna bees". I call them "members in waiting". I also call them US before we made it.
I think its a shame that local chapters are disappearing. Speakers are losing an opportunity for community and learning. Maybe NSA needs to change some guidelines for chapters and look at what makes successful chapters successful (and copy it).
Posted by: Ann | March 19, 2007 at 02:54 PM