For Immediate Release s299

April 2, 2014

University of Scranton Alumnus Authors a Ground-breaking Book

on Membership-based Organizations (MBOs)

Pacifica, California

Voluntary associations have been ubiquitous in America since the founding of the Republic. More recently, a few have earned the reputation for operating as “special interest groups” largely due to their actions. Yet a very distinctive segment of that group - defined by James R. Hudson, Ph.D., and Patricia A. Hudson, MPsSc alumnus (Class 1977) as membership-based organizations (MBOs) – has been actively engaged in shaping America in quite consequential ways by advancing a wide range of professions, trades and personal avocations. MBOs represent a population of eligible individuals or organizations that voluntarily join together to promote and protect their mutual interests; advance their body of knowledge through a high degree of member engagement. Built on a network of relationships, members recognize themselves as citizens; existing to support their individual and collective fulfillment. Their efforts have influenced many very significant social changes that have improved the quality of life for the larger society.

In Special Interest Society: How Membership-based Organizations Shape America, Hudson and Hudson tell a compelling story about these MBOs by drawing findings from over 400 of their published histories. The book’s central thesis is that no modern democratic society can function without them. “Their efforts impact every facet of our lives from the clothes we wear, the furniture we sit on, the books we read to the food we eat and more,” notes Patricia Hudson. The book reveals how and why these organizations emerge and develop. It chronicles, from their earliest formative days, how individuals representing an emergent profession, trade or personal avocation mobilize to establish the boundaries of their field of endeavor. And then define the body of knowledge and related competencies necessary to gain the respect and secure the legitimacy from their colleagues as well as the larger society.

The authors give concrete examples of how MBOs’ contributions have benefited not only their own interests but also those of the larger society. “…Special Interest Society demonstrates that MBOs are essential building blocks for American democracy itself,” notes Harvey M. Choldin from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The authors encourage scholars to focus their research on MBOs because of the role they play in democratic societies, the impact they have in their members’ lives, as well as their efforts to advance a specific profession, trade, or personal avocation. They urge practitioners who dedicate their careers managing MBOs to embrace a new way of thinking in order to deliver more satisfying experiences to the millions of members that join and renew every day.

“Special Interest Society also reminds us that within democratic societies, we all have special interests,” notes James Hudson. “We now recognize that MBOs have existed for quite a long time and have played a pivotal role in the success of many members’ lives. Their efforts have shaped our nation in very positive ways. While some have established a reputation for obstructing change, the vast majority are dedicated to advancing their members chosen field enabling them to better serve society. The more we understand their nature, the better we can find new and better ways for MBOs to deliver these purposeful experiences to their members. That’s our mission at the Melos Institute.”

This book is now available through Lexington Books (www.Lexingtonbooks.com). Information about it may also be accessed from the Melos Institute (www.melosinstitute.org).

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A digital version of this press release can be accessed at www.melosinstitute.org.

The Melos Institute is a nonprofit independent think tank that brings together a multi-disciplinary group of professionals across generations to identify solutions to the challenges that have persisted within membership-based organizations. The Institute is currently focused on the issues surrounding member engagement.

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