To print this page properly - use Print icon located on the page.
Please note that JavaScript has to be enabled.

j0411837.jpg 

M
pursuing the building, shaping, & transforming of membership communities
Institute
elos

2010 Research Projects

Our current research efforts are highlighted below. For more details on the specifics of these projects, contact Trish Hudson at 650.355.4094.

Emergence & Development Project

The Growth and Development of Membership-based Organizations

Slightly over 100 published histories of membership-based organizations provided a database to examine a number of interesting issues about their emergence and development. The analyses made drew from a wide range of social science findings. Underlying these, however, was a reliance upon human ecology to provide a holistic approach for understanding these organizations as social systems.

Some of the papers prepared thus far from the compiled data and analysis are available below. The Institute is continuing its collection and analysis of more published histories; expecting the findings to further enrich our understanding and offer new opportunities for study.

Previous research questions have generated findings which have been reported in the following papers: 

To download these papers, click on the titles.

As the Institute carries out its mission, other theories will be employed. The most recent is examining Maslow's contribution in developing the theory of self-actualization to understand certain social dynamics within these organizations.

For more details on the research methodology, contact Jim Hudson, Ph.D. 650.738.5810

 

j0178802.jpg

 

j0289525.jpg

 

PH01619J.jpg

 

 

Membership & Community Project

How Mutual Gain Enhances the Membership Experience

Maslow postulated that our hierarchy of needs could be achieved in a wide range of settings. Members' personal stories of how participation in these organ-izations influenced their lives make it essential to investigate Maslow's theory in this setting.

The unique design of membership-based organizations can facilitate members' success in fulfilling their hierarchy of needs. To achieve this desired goal, it is necessary to align members' aspirations with the information, knowledge and contacts these organizations provide. Simply, members need to learn new ways to navigate through today’s complex associations in order to fulfill their specific personal and professional goals.

To test these assumptions and hypotheses, we are conducting an applied research project in conjunction with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). This initial research will focus on two fundamental questions:

Can a modified member orientation encourage member participation and increase the pool of volunteers?

In what ways does active involvement contribute toward members' achieving their personal and professional goals?

For more details on the research methodology,          click here.             

Structure & Function Project

Defining a Functional Framework to Build a Comprehensive Body of Knowledge for Membership-based Organizations

We now have a wide range of opinions, approaches, and perspectives among those working in the field that are not necessarily consistent or compatible. While some efforts have been made to bring order to the field, as yet we do not have a formal holistic com-prehensive model, including a standard set of principles; and may not for some time to come.

Our distinction between membership-based organ-izations and other nonprofit and for-profit organ-izations is an opportunity to define a principles-based systems-oriented body of knowledge specifically for these organizations. By doing so, we will be able to better support volunteer and staff leaders in their efforts to build a vibrant membership community.

To investigate the feasibility of this opportunity, we are convening a special working group to consider the following question:

In what ways will creating a more fully defined functional model of association management facilitate the development of a more comprehensive principles-based systems-oriented body of knowledge specifically designed to support membership-based organizations achieve their mission?

For more details on the research methodology,            click here.  

 
 

1071 Yosemite Drive 

info@melosinstitute.org

Pacifica, California 94044 USA

www.melosinstitute.org 

650.355.4094  main number

copyright 2009 Melos Institute

650.359.3611  fax