In her work she had learned that the average age of the association’s membership was 59, and that during the past year 100 members had passed away. What’s alarming is that the association didn’t seem too concerned about those statistics, nor had any sense of urgency to deal with what is obviously an disturbing trend. The writing is on the wall in plain sight – this association is dying!

In her book, Sarah writes:

Now until 2030, every eight seconds someone will turn 65. This shift in human capital—the largest shift in our country’s history—poses the greatest threat to associations because most associations remain entirely governed and supported by the Baby Boomer generation, and few have or are developing strategies to cushion themselves from this massive exodus of board members, committee chairs, and dedicated volunteers.

The generational issues she identifies get tossed around quite a bit. How do you attract newcomers to your industry or profession and motivate them to become members? I would like to share one suggestion – help them get a job, today!

Now that we are entering the heart of the 2012 political campaign season, I was thinking about what the media’s talking heads are claiming to be the number one issue for the 2012 race – jobs, jobs, jobs!

Unemployment is still high and the needle doesn’t seem to be moving much. Displaced workers are finding employment opportunities to be few and far between – some are so discouraged, they have taken themselves out of the hunt. Some trade groups and professional groups are claiming there are not enough qualified people applying for positions they need to fill, and as a result, are looking offshore for solutions. And to add to that, 2012 graduates are facing a daunting task finding work in their chosen profession while they have most likely accumulated a lot of personal debt getting prepared. How do they get started? Who can help them? Maybe you!

I would like to propose that your need to be #1 is where you can help. By being #1, I am talking about being the top career resource within your industry or profession, in your state or city.

First, I want to disclose that we provide a managed Career Center service for associations. Our goal in working with our Association Partners is to help them achieve the status I just mentioned – to be that number one employment resource. Why?

If you look beyond providing a simple job board or classified ads to your members and prospects, you can reinvent and enhance your association’s brand to members, prospects, employers and the industry or profession you serve. By building and promoting a true career center you can effectively represent your organization as THE resource to find quality employment opportunities and provide qualified candidates.

Imagine hosting a career center that provides resources that tie into your professional development efforts – you’ve just upped the value to an existing member and a future prospect. Today, young people need a reason to join an organization rather than relying on the Internet for the information they seek – the domain they are most familiar with.

The Monsters and CareerBuilders of the world do not represent or promote your industry or profession – you do! While they are more than happy to take their money, they are not at all concerned about job seeker or employer beyond the fulfillment of a specific listing. It only makes sense then that the best career opportunities and most qualified candidates should be found in one resource – your association.

Remember, the number one issue for this election cycle is jobs, jobs, jobs! Are you ready to be a part of the discussion? Are you ready to be Numero Uno?