The leaders I’m connecting with these days are feeling challenged to lead. Many of us are feeling a heavier weight to the world and to our work. And the most frequent question I hear: “What can I do?”
I recently had the honor of moderating two panels with brilliant professionals who are fighting for justice for immigrants and refugees. For both presentations, folks in the audience wondered: What can I do?
The answers were clear. To oversimplify, we heard over and over:
- Take action to support your community;
- Learn as much as you can from information sources that are based on research, data, and facts; and
- Live your values.
As simple as these principles are, certainly we are each capable of responding to these calls to action. When we donate our time in service of the mission of a non-profit organization; when we offer our neighbors a ride to the voting polls; when we read, research and understand the impact of executive orders and proposed state and federal legislation; and when we intentionally decide to collaborate and work with individuals and organizations that align with our values.
At these times we answer: What can I do?
The Association Advantage: Collective Action at Scale
This question—”What can I do?”—is precisely why associations exist and why they matter more than ever. Individual action is powerful, but collective action through associations amplifies impact exponentially.
In my work with association leaders across sectors, I’ve witnessed firsthand how organizations transform individual concern into systemic change. When the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) advances science literacy through their international 1,240+ member network, or when the Association for Federal Enterprise Risk Management (AFERM) expands enterprise risk management best practices in state and local governments, they’re answering “What can I do?” at a scale that no individual could achieve alone.
The most effective associations I’ve observed share three characteristics that mirror the calls to action from the panels I moderated:
- They mobilize their communities for action. Strong associations don’t just convene—they activate. They provide clear pathways for members to contribute their expertise, whether through advocacy initiatives, volunteer programs, or collaborative research efforts.
- They become trusted sources of research-based information. In an era of information overload, associations that invest in rigorous research, data collection, and fact-based communication become invaluable resources for their members and the broader public.
- They operate as values-driven organizations. The associations that create lasting impact are those whose missions align with their members’ deepest values and who make decisions through that values lens, even when it’s difficult.
Supporting Your Mission in Uncertain Times
If you’re leading an association and feeling the weight of these challenging times, know that your work matters profoundly. Your organization is uniquely positioned to help thousands of people answer “What can I do?” in meaningful, coordinated ways.
At MHQ, we’ve learned that associations thrive when their board and volunteer leaders can focus on their mission while having operational support that scales with their impact. Whether it’s streamlining member engagement systems, developing data-driven advocacy strategies, or creating educational programs that reach new audiences, the right operational foundation allows association leaders to channel their energy toward the change they want to see.
The world needs what associations do best: bringing people together around shared values and turning collective concern into collective action.
Wishing you a summer of the clarity and positive energy to live your values – and help others do the same through the power of organized community.
About MHQ
Driven by the vision of a thriving, vibrant community, MHQ is a woman-owned, world-class management company that delivers customized services. Founded in 2013, MHQ has provided association management services since its inception, as well as infrastructure to organizations in a range of industries. We serve professional and trade associations, as well as government and public sector entities. For more about MHQ, visit https://www.management-hq.com/.
