Some organizations offer both individual and corporate memberships. In return for paying dues to the organization, these members receive benefits.

PROS

• Membership dues provide immediate and unrestricted funds.
• Memberships serve as a predictable and ongoing funding base.
• Memberships give people a way to have an intimate, ongoing relationship with your organization.

CONS

• Not every organization's charter allows memberships. You may have to retain an attorney to make the appropriate governance changes.
• You must give people membership benefits in return for their dues.
• Members may want a higher decision-making role in your organization than you want to provide.

TIPS TO REMEMBER

• Reinforce members' pride of association by stressing their commonalities.
• Be sure your membership fee is reasonably priced for the marketplace. You may need to do a market survey to discover the best fee. (See step 3 .)
• To be properly responsive to your members, it's best to have sophisticated computer technology.
• Provide members with an easy mechanism (toll-free number, postage-paid envelope, fax line, etc.) to give you input about their concerns.