Let’s face it – being a leader of a group of members is tough. Doesn’t matter if we’re talking about chapter or a Special Interest Group or a virtual community. We’re all busy, busy, busy. Getting face-to-face is near impossible.

Over on Association Marketing Springboard, Lindy Dreyer wrote about another self-forming group concept. Looks like more people (okay associations) are doing this. This one is from InfoComm International, a non-profit association serving the professional AV communications industry worldwide.

Communication in a Post Media World, by Chris Brogan, is a must-read. Okay he’s talking about communications – but look he’s also talking about associations … chapters – components. How?

Are their SAGA Associations ... the non-profit version of SAGA corporations Google, Starbucks, Apple, and Amazon?

Another take on membership picked by ever-observant Kevin Holland -- this one does for magazines what Netflix did for movies. All of which gives us food for thought for associations. Hmmm. More here.

Announcing a new resource for exploring the chapter of the future ... Over the past couple of years, we've been working with a number of associations on the issue of how to address the struggles of the current chapter. Much of this research, discussion and testing has led us to a couple of observations.

Interesting post from one of my daily reads: "Is ASAE Dying?" asks Maddie Grant. She challenged us further with this question: "Assuming you think ASAE does have a value for you, what should it do as a leadership model to counteract this?" What makes this even for interesting is that in today's email I was asked to help ASAE in its project to develop membership materials for each professional interest area by answering the questions ...

Maddie Grant continues the debate on membership pricing models in her posting More on Free is the Future with a strong 'yes' to Scott Oser's question "Would mission be as important if anyone could join just by signing up for free" posed in response to Maddie's other posting on the subject (see a pattern here?).

A watershed of criticism followed VP nominee Sarah Palin’s and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's ill-placed remarks about community organizers. Barack Obama didn't shine either on the subject. Time to turn criticism to commendation. they did wide up shining the light on the power of community organizers and here's a salute to those who change the world one community at a time.

Chat, Chew & Chocolate isn't your traditional association and certainly isn't your traditional chapter organization - but it is creating excitement and gathering steam. Translated that means it's building members and raising revenue. Founder and president Dena Marie Patton said the organization formed out of an informal gathering of women who met to share stories, advice and friendship. In 2005, Dina decided to grow the concept and today they have 9 chapters each focused on tight geographic community and boasting between 100-300 members.

Okay, it's not traditional. Its more like a franchise operation. The organization really grew out of grew out of a business of providing special parties that focused on the philosophy that its important for women to make time for yourself, fun and friendship on a weekly basis.  Dena was throwing parties for fun and started to get more requests than she could handle. That led to the model of a licensed chapter is which the Hostess Director pays 1-time fee for which they get a manual, party in a box, phone and web support and training. And this Director can actually make money on the special events if they want to.

Another difference is that members don't pay a dues, they pay an event registration. And, they aren't called upon to take a role like running the next event.

Some may argue that this isn't a chapter and it doesn't apply to associations. But I would argue that it is and there are some possible lessons for us. For example, the Director (think new name for president) has a clearly defined task, ample support and incentive. Members pay as they go so they equate the "dues" with a use fee; makes seeing the value of the dollar a little clearer. The chapter exists simply to create and nuture community - not to do long reports, hold elections, update bylaws, etc. etc. And the chapter is measured on its ability to create community aka bring women to an event not on how many points they get for completing tasks.

And it's worth noting that they have a social responsibility mission for a very appropriate charity Girls Rule.

Different model? Yes. Better model? What do you think?