unhatched's posterous

But the employees were home for some much needed rest,
but visions of the rough year ahead weighed heavy in their heads and on their chests .
So one lonely worker, with little else to do,
said 'To hell with sitting around, I'll do some work, too!'

When the worker arrived at the office there rose such a clatter,
blinking voicemail lights and full inboxes alerted him to the matter.
So off to his cubicle he ran in a tear,
and tried to figure out the problem amidst a string of rough swears.

The lone member was angry and making it known,
shouting 'These dues are outrageous! Twice what I pay for my home!'
'Why should I pay for content like reports and education?'
'My company already gives your more money than half of the African nations!'

The little employee nodded his head in agreement,
after all, he thought, this seemed like unfair treatment.
Why should someone pay twice to learn something and brighten their noodle?
He thought, 'Especially when most of our stuff can be found by searching Google?'

With 2010 looking bleaker and bleaker,
the employee rushed to make this member a keeper.
'What can I do to help?' he cried, 'I'll scour the ends of the earth.'
'For starters' the member said 'you can tell me what it's all worth.'

With that the little employee erupted with a much rehearsed speech,
it was a fever pitch of services offered and ways to help increase reach.
There's Webinars! And Research! And Government Relations!
Not to mention a conference to network or find a new occupation!

The lone member stopped the speech early with a laugh and a snort,
'I know of these things, but you're still coming up short.'
'Our corporate landscape has changed and while this is all great to hear,
you'll have to do better to keep us around after the new year.'

With that the lone employee dropped his head in disbelief,
'Then what can I do to keep you around and save myself some grief?'
The member launched into a frenzy which the employee rushed onto paper,
the lone employee realized what would be his association's savior.

Could it be really be so simple? Was this all that was needed?
He scoured his notes to affirm he had finally succeeded -
Finally confident, he coughed and cleared his throat,
and read to the member, the notes he'd just wrote.

How about an association, that at it's very core,
puts the bottom line AFTER the member instead of before?
One that engages and reacts and doesn't hold such a rigid shape,
instead of being so concerned with processes and all the red tape?

Why not customize your experience to find your ideal solution?
'Yes!' the member cried, 'now THAT'S a new year's resolution!'
Newly energized, the duo talked until the wee hours,
discussing all the opportunity that could be had with a redistribution of power.

Let the members be active, engaged and give controlling them a wide berth,
that will be the new key to establishing the association's worth.
Listen to feedback and treat your members as more than just names on a checklist,
build up your loyalty and inspire your evangelists!

The little employee sprang from his chair, his energies now sparked,
he ran from the office and to the garage, where his little car was parked.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
'Happy Christmas to all, let's get 2010 right!'