Membership organization
Encyclopedia
A membership organization is a broad term for a group or body which has members. Typically any member of the public can join and a membership fee or "subscription" is payable, but arrangements vary widely. The legal form also varies widely, from very small voluntary association
s, which may or may not be formally established, to very large organizations like the National Trust
in Britain, which had 3.7 million members in 2010, paying about £50 per year. This, like very many membership organizations, is established as a charity
(non profit) though it has commercial subsidiaries.
Types of membership organizations include "Friends of ..." organizations, other support group
s, political parties
and a wide range of others. Some club
s would typically be covered by the term, but not country club
s and others which exist primarily to use specific facilities.
Voluntary association
A voluntary association or union is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body to accomplish a purpose.Strictly speaking, in many jurisdictions no formalities are necessary to start an association...
s, which may or may not be formally established, to very large organizations like the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
in Britain, which had 3.7 million members in 2010, paying about £50 per year. This, like very many membership organizations, is established as a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
(non profit) though it has commercial subsidiaries.
Types of membership organizations include "Friends of ..." organizations, other support group
Support group
In a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic...
s, political parties
Political Parties
Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy is a book by sociologist Robert Michels, published in 1911 , and first introducing the concept of iron law of oligarchy...
and a wide range of others. Some club
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
s would typically be covered by the term, but not country club
Country club
A country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
s and others which exist primarily to use specific facilities.