The 2025 Chapter Benchmarking report is out and the most common question we’re heard is … WHAT NOW?
That’s became the purpose of the latest component webinar held on February 24, where we broke down what we learned into practical, achievable actions associations can take today.
Listen to the full webinar below. Don’t have time to watch? Check out the highlights for a quick summary and additional resources.
HIGHLIGHTS
MAJOR CHALLENGES: Participants are feeling the pressure on several fronts. Volunteer capacity and member engagement at the chapter level are both under siege. Limited or ineffective data sharing and dashboards are making it harder to understand what’s happening across the organization. And inefficient operational tools and processes compounded by disconnected chapter models are having a negative effect on the overall process.
A CALL TO ACTION: Organizations are being called to rethink how they support their components. This calls for strategic shifts towards creating a more holistic, connected network of chapters, communities, and SIGs while moving beyond the traditional “monthly meeting machine” mindset towards more dynamic, purpose‑driven hubs that match what members actually need today. Leadership structures need to be modernized to better align with how people want to engage. And organizations can reduce friction by centralizing tools, support, and key functions so volunteers can focus on impact rather than administrative tasks. Which all leads to the collection and sharing of the right data to guide decisions that make an impact. Read more about how to Elevate Your Volunteer Strategy in 2026.
NEXT STEPS: Associations can take several practical steps now to strengthen their component ecosystem (see Five Fresh Ways Associations Can Energize Their Chapters in 2026 for more ideas).
- Redesign the volunteer pathway by auditing roles and introducing microtasks,.
- Encourage chapters to operate as local insight hubs by encouraging them to experiment with smaller, purpose‑driven gatherings.
- Establish 3–4 shared anchor moments each year, such as a national day of service or coordinated innovation challenge to energize components in leveraging common experiences.
- Reduce operational drag with simplified requirements, offering micro‑friendly templates, and more Hq-supported admin tasks; an approach explored further in Local Component Utopia – Can it be achieved?
- Boost cross-collaboration across your ecosystem by connecting chapters, SIGs, and communities through structured opportunities for collaboration; a concept at the heart of Rethinking Membership as Community.
The takeaway is clear. The path forward is not about doing more. It is about doing things differently by making participation easier, roles clearer, and systems more supportive so that chapters and their volunteers can thrive.