WASHINGTON – According to the ASAE Research Foundation, respondents overwhelmingly agree that associations have enabled them to contribute in their respective fields. Additionally, their expectations for associations to assist in shaping future industry progress and productivity is extremely high.
Interviews with external stakeholders revealed a perception that the largest contributions of associations have been in education, and that they would like to see organizations invest more effort in other areas, particularly workforce development.
“As we come to the close of our Centennial celebrations, Impact Every Day provides a comprehensive look at the work associations and nonprofits have achieved and delivers a road map to help guide our industry through a future that is evolving faster than anyone could have anticipated,” said Susan Robertson, CAE, ASAE President and CEO.
Research for the report was collected via case studies, surveys and interviews. According to the foundation, the case studies represent a cross-section of the association community, while the survey data reflects the perspectives of members, non-members, association professionals and outside stakeholders. Interview participants, industry leaders from outside of the association space, provided perspectives on multiple areas of association practices, including past contributions to society, how best to prepare the industry to face future challenges and the efforts being taken to foster transformative thinking throughout the association community.
One in every three Americans is a part of the nation’s association and nonprofit industry whether they are employees, members or volunteers.
The research findings were released in conjunction with the 2020 ASAE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition held August 10-12. To further explore the research findings and case studies, visit the ASAE ResearchFoundation. The entire report will be available for download in Fall 2020.
ASAE is a membership organization of more than 50,000 association executives and industry partners representing over 7,000 organizations. With the support of the ASAE Research Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community.
Reach Susan Robertson, CAE at srobertson@asaecenter.org or (202) 626-2860.
