A diverse research committee serves as the backbone of valuable association research, ensuring relevance and impact for your entire membership. Through carefully selected committees or task forces, associations can develop and execute research initiatives that truly serve their communities' needs.
The Foundation of Effective Research Leadership
While Board of Directors provide essential guidance and resource allocation for research initiatives, their direct participation in the committee isn't necessary. Similarly, Research and Development staff members play crucial roles in committee development and board liaison duties but may not need to serve on the member committee itself.
Essential Qualities for Your Research Committee
Industry Expertise
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) bring crucial knowledge and perspective to the advisory role, helping shape research that addresses real industry challenges and opportunities.
Member Engagement Spectrum
Highly engaged members bring enthusiasm and dedication to the research process, often becoming natural advocates for research initiatives at annual meetings and other events. However, including less engaged members, particularly from underrepresented segments, ensures comprehensive perspective and helps demonstrate the association's commitment to all member voices.
Comprehensive Representation
The strength of an association research committee lies in its diversity. A truly representative committee should reflect various aspects of your membership, including:
Different organizational sizes and structures
Multiple product areas and market segments
Varying membership tenure and experience levels
Diverse educational backgrounds and certifications
Geographic representation
Maximizing Committee Impact
An effective research committee contributes to association goals through multiple channels. Members collaborate to identify emerging trends, design effective surveys, refine methodologies, and ensure practical implementation. Their ongoing involvement helps maintain research relevance and member engagement.
Managing Volunteer Commitment
Remember that research committee members are volunteers balancing multiple commitments. Success depends on clear communication about:
Expected time commitments
Meeting schedules and attendance expectations
Project timelines and milestones
Individual roles and responsibilities
Recognition and Appreciation
Acknowledging committee members' contributions remains crucial for sustained engagement. Consider recognizing their work in final research products or during program launches, emphasizing their role in advancing the association's mission.
Building Long-Term Success
Creating an effective association research committee requires thoughtful selection, clear communication, and ongoing support. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, associations can develop research initiatives that deliver genuine value to their entire membership.
Ready to enhance your association's research capabilities? Contact us to learn more about building and supporting an effective research committee.