The value of MTNA membership.(Forum Focus: Local Associations)(Music Teachers National Association)

MTNA provides a wide array of benefits at each level of the organization. The more we embrace MTNA as our organization, the more we realize the benefits of membership. On the local level, teachers enjoy the benefits that the local association offers, as well as those of the state association. On the national level, teachers can utilize the MTNA Music for Everyone programs, MTNA Teacher Assessment Tools, National Certification, Legal Consultation Services, Professional Support Line, MTNA Conference, Insurance programs--the list could go on and on.

The health, well-being and the growth of our association depend upon each of us. The best way for an organization to grow is for each member to work within local and state associations to retain current members and to recruit new members. If each of us recruited one new member, our association would number nearly 50,000 members.

The need for solid membership recruitment and retention has never been more critical as MTNA membership continues to get grayer each year, and there are fewer volunteers to fill the job positions.

Where are the young, ambitious, energetic young teachers? Associations, churches and schools are demanding more of an individual's volunteer time, not to mention the desire for much-needed family time. Convincing young teachers, especially those with young families, to devote more time to the local association and their profession can be problematic.

Instead of simply listing the benefits of products and services MTNA provides to these teachers, let's think about the value of MTNA membership. According to Ed Rigsbee, CSP, head of Rigsbee Enterprises and author of The Member Valuation Process--Discovering the Yearly Sustainable RealDollar Value of Association Membership, associations today must emphasize the value of membership to prospective members and to returning members. Current and prospective members are looking for benefits that add value to their businesses and to their professional growth, not just products and services.

What does a member actually receive in value for an investment of membership dues? An average annual MTNA membership for local, state and national associations costs $100 per year. If a teacher chose to personally obtain the services provided by the association elsewhere, what would be the cost? Rigsbee says each networking and education opportunity needs to be assigned a dollar value.

Let's look at a few conservatively estimated average ...