The changing role of learned bodies and membership organisations

Some UK experiences

Abstract

With the extensive changes to funding and employment security now underway worldwide, membership bodies and learned and professional associations are finding that their role is changing so as better to represent their members’ views and respond to their needs. In the United Kingdom (UK), members show increasing interest in acquiring and retaining professional standing. As government selective funding decreases, activities are being displaced from the centre to within the community with the membership body taking an increased organisational and broker role. A new governmental focus on accountability and impact is changing members’ priorities leading to revised activities by learned bodies. This paper discusses the changes necessary for professional bodies to continue to lead in the changing climate.