Through virtual meetings, online voting, distance learning, and e-mail communications, associations can offer members a wealth of services. Yet, this technology potential hinges on technosavvy members and boards with big budgets. But if they're micromanaged by the membership, they don't have a future. I know of some small boards across the country where they're still trying to convince their BOD to buy them a computer. But there's a flip side to technology advancements that may open up the merger issue even more.
Associations feel they're being disintermediated by the national association through technology.
National is getting into all the areas that the local boards are into, and the states are doing the same thing online.