Membership Taskforce 2015
At the February Board meeting, a membership taskforce was created in order to assess NAI member benefits, determine if NAI should revise or restructure member benefits, and help Jamie King create an improved member benefit package before NAI launched a membership campaign in 2015.
Taskforce Members – Jessica Moore, Brenda Lackey, Denise Berkshire, and Bruce Stebbins. Jane Beattie also contributed as an advisor.
A member survey was created to reach out to current members to assess their overall approval or disapproval of their current benefits.
A 19 question survey was created to assess opinions on all current member benefits, as well as to gauge interest in several new benefit ideas, and collect basic demographic information. The survey was sent to the NAI membership at the end of February. The survey was open for several weeks and generated over
700 responses.
The full survey results are available in a separate document, and a summary of common themes is listed below.
Education and Networking Opportunities:
While many people see the value in workshops and conference, a lot of them indicated that they have never attended/taken part because of the expenses. Many also indicated that the only way they would attend was if their employer covered costs.
There was some negativity about the International Conference, suggesting we need to focus on our national members, not reaching out internationally.
There was a mixed response regarding regional offerings - positive from thriving regions, negative from failing regions.
Several positive comments about the NAI office staff and their willingness to assist members.
Publications:
Legacy received many positive comments with a mix of responses suggesting Legacy be in hard copy while others suggest digital only.
JIR got mixed reviews - some see value, many don't read, others feel the quality has declined.
Many comments suggestions the books available in the store are too expensive and can be purchased much cheaper on Amazon (+ free shipping), even with the member discount.

Member Area:
Many don't know it's there.
Job board seems to be thought of as less than helpful, not regularly updated and many other job sites off more postings than NAI.
Many didn't know there was an archive section.
Member directory seems to be hard for people to use. Also a comment that a 6-year member is still not in the directory.
Suggested member benefit additions and revisions were generated by Jessica Moore and presented to
Jamie King. *Some suggestions are already being offered to the NAI membership.
Education and Networking Opportunities:
Offer and publicize more scholarships to non-students to help off-set costs to workshops and conferences. Find ways to encourage people to attend even if their employer doesn't cover expenses. The conferences need to be providing real tools/skills that people can use, that way they feel like they are spending their money to invest in themselves, not just get in some quality networking time.
Get all our regions up and running and meeting the standards so all members receive the same services and opportunities. This may not be possible in the current format and there may need to be more involvement from the National Office to ensure equal services.
Publications:
Offer digital and print versions of Legacy and let members choose which they prefer.
JIR needs to be revamped.
Find a way to offer the books at a better value or incentivize members for buying from our store. Maybe there is a way for them to earn a credit towards a future purchase when they make a purchase...
Member Area:
Actively show and tell members about this benefit! Highlight it in newsletters and maybe even
Legacy. Each NAI Now can have a link to a different part of the member area to help guide members to the different services. Or at least a link each time a new webinar is placed in the archive so people are aware it's in there.
Figure out how to make the member directory more user friendly.

Reach out to organizations to solicit job postings to beef up the job pages, regularly update the page so it is always current.
Suggestions for Additional benefits:
A la cart member options to allow people to build the membership they really want.
Offer each member one free webinar credit (up to a certain cost) with each new or renewal membership
(essentially one per year.)
Jamie will submit a separate update regarding changes/additions to member benefits that have been implemented in 2015.