I often joke with my colleagues during introductions and share that "I'm old, I'm actually B.C. — Before Computer!" Yes, when I started my career in association management back in 1975, we used typewriters with carbon paper for copies, metal addressograph plates to print envelopes for association mailings, and had 6-8 inch ledgers to track dues payments. "Cut and Paste" back then meant that we literally cut the prior year's membership directory and pasted it to an update form that we would send through U.S. mail to our members for updating!
Yes, I remember standing around our first fax machine in amazement as a message from across the city printed in our office in minutes. We started our technology plan with "Sneaker Net"— meaning that we had one computer and when an email was received that person would run the printed message to the second or third floor to deliver it.
Well, I've certainly been fortunate enough to see so many advancements in how associations deliver information and engage with their current and prospective members over my 35-year career.
I try to keep up with the changes in social media by loosely following Beth Ziesenis of "Your Nerdy Best Friend." Beth recently shared this analysis of social media tools by a real teenager (19).
Association leaders should keep their fingers on the pulse of what social media tools our future members are using. If you're in my generation, hold on to your hat and enjoy the ride reading this well-written post!
