The PSAI's Days are Numbered
But the Number is a Big One
The following is a message from Karleen Kos, PSAI's Executive
Director :
I recently read an article that said that more than half of
associations will be dead or dying by 2030. This shouldn't come as
a surprise considering that, according to Forbes , 90% of all new
businesses fail. Associations are just businesses with a differ ent
business model. If the past is any indication, there are likely to be
hundreds of associations starting up over the next 10 - 20 years, and
many of them will likely fail or die after a period of time just like
their for - profit counterparts.
It's not al l doom and gloom though. Those that die may have died
for a good reason. Maybe a cure has been found or an injustice
was corrected. When I worked at the Alzheimer's Association, we
would have loved nothing better than to have been put out of
business becau se the disease had been stopped.
In the wake of the associations that ended for good reasons, new
associations may be formed to cure new diseases, provide support,
combat new government regulations, stand up for rights issues or to support professions not yet in existence. The
fact that associations may die isn't scary, it's the ability or inability of the association to change with the times that
should be the most concerning. This is by far the most important issue for the Portable Sanitation Association
International (PSAI).
I believe that most associations have the innate ability to change with the times because they're always looking for
ways to support those that depend on them. That's one of the reasons the PSAI does its annual survey of the
industr y – and why it is so important we hear from both Members and nonmembers. We cannot evolve to meet the
industry's needs if we don't know what they are.
Of course we have a volunteer Board of Directors from industry companies and they are, indeed, a wonder ful
group of professionals. But they represent 13 companies – less than 1% of the entire industry. While they do their
best to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry as a whole, it would be folly to believe that they can articulate the
situations and c oncerns faced by ALL companies. We need a broader view of what is happening on the ground. So
please, take the time to fill out this year's survey at http://psaisurvey2017.questionpro.com . It will take 10 minutes
or so – and you might win free registratio n to the November 2017 Nuts and Bolts Educational Conference!
WEEKLY EDITION April 5, 2017
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