Lisa Raaijmakers
From member list to community: discover the key to connection
Interest groups
Innovate & digitalize
Aug 29, 2025
As an interest group or membership association, you have something special: a group of people who have already decided to connect with you. However, many associations struggle with the question of how they can remain relevant and meaningful to their members. Being a member doesn't automatically mean that people also feel connected. The key often lies in the strength of your own network. Turn that membership list into a vibrant community.
The power of a community
A strong community goes beyond a membership list or annual meeting. It is a living network in which members can find each other and feel part of a greater whole. This provides a lot:
Connection: members feel more engaged and stay connected longer.
Knowledge sharing: valuable knowledge and experience is not fragmented, but becomes visible and accessible to everyone.
Collaboration: members contribute together to projects or initiatives that help the entire community move forward.
Exchange: whether it concerns services, products or contacts, a community accelerates and facilitates exchange.
The role of digital
Communities often form around meetings, conversations, or shared challenges. Digital tools strengthen the process of community building. An online platform makes the community accessible at any time of the day. It is the place where members come into contact, share knowledge, and collaborate. Moreover, it gives you as an interest organization or membership association direct insight into what is happening, so you can respond to needs more quickly.
Tool and strategic instrument
Successful communities like Quiet, AKWA GGZ and the Training Fund for Electrical Retail (OFED) have been building connection through their online platforms for years. They all increase the engagement of, and connection between, members. One does this by exchanging services, another by facilitating collaboration or unlocking knowledge. Freshheads helps these organizations to strengthen that connection digitally. Not with a standard solution, but with a strategic instrument that brings members closer together and makes the association more relevant for the future.
Curious how a platform can make your association stronger? Read more about platforms for membership organizations →