01/07/2025

The Role of Associations in Professional Development: Part Three

Associations must now provide problem solving to their membership

This article is the third in a series outlining how associations can play a greater role in the professional development of their members and why promoting problem solving as their next core competency can lead to a sustainable competitive advantage. (Read part one and part two.)

Associations are typically comprised of three core competencies:

• Advocacy — representing the interests of members in policy and regulatory matters
• Leadership development — cultivating the leadership skills of members to help them advance in their professions
• Professional development — offering formal education and certification programs that enhance members’ knowledge, skills, abilities and career growth

While this triad represents a compelling value proposition, there's one competency associations lack which has the potential to surpasses the others: problem solving.

Please select this link to read the complete article from ASAE’s Center for Association Leadership.