A Certification Unlike Any Other
Membership Excellence Certification
The first-ever membership professional designation!
Access professional recognition and in-depth training on the tenants of membership strategy with the MXC (Membership Excellence Certified) designation!
There’s much to learn about membership strategy and what drives the decision to join and engage in a membership organization. The MXC promises to deliver this expertise and more!
Membership Matters
From plumbers to astrophysicists, there are few occupations that don’t require prior experience or training specific to the job’s responsibilities. Why not membership?
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In the United States alone, membership organizations employ 1.3 million and generate $116 billion annually.
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Membership organizations rely on membership buy-in, sustainability, and growth.
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Millions of membership organizations exist. So do job titles with the word ‘membership’ in them.
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And yet, not a single person has been certifiably or definitively trained in the subject of membership.
There are no defined requirements, career paths, educational tracks, or training programs focused on membership as a field of study or professional practice.
Membership as a subject of expertise simply does not exist.
Until now.
The MXC Advantage
The Membership Excellence Certified designation is a 12-week learning intensive program designed to deliver the essential tools, skills, and network to advance your expertise in membership. You will learn proven strategies and have access to tools and assessments.
Completing the certification is an indication that you will be better equipped to lead an association to higher levels of member engagement and membership growth.
The Certification is eligible for 46 CAE credits and must be renewed every three years.
Certification Requirements
To qualify for Membership Excellence Certified status,
you must complete the following criteria.
Click to view the full descriptions under each category.
What information does the curriculum cover?
The curriculum is a deep dive into the six categories we’ve identified as pillars for a successful strategy.
Weeks 1-2:
Membership Foundations
Weeks 3-4:
Forecasting & Trends
Weeks 5-6:
Member-Centric Cultures
Weeks 7-8:
Membership Value
Weeks 9-10:
Growth Strategies
Weeks 11-12:
Commitments + Graduation
Is an organization-wide option available?
Yes! The MXC is available to organizations interested in enrolling
multiple staff, board, or chapter leaders.
Obtaining the MXC as a team allows for customized, tailored coaching and learning
that doubles as a team building and strategy planning experience.
In addition to individual certifications, the organization will receive special designation
as a MXC Certified Organization. 50-person minimum required
What's included in the MXC program?
Enrolled MXC participants receive the following benefits:
+ Membership U, a learning community featuring courses, discussion boards, events, and job listings
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+ Class roster and discussion board for networking and information-sharing
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+ Tools, assessments, and resources for membership strategy planning
+ Digital certificate and badge with instructions for sharing your certification designation online
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+ Recognition via a published online roster of MXC graduates
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+ 46 CAE credits
What information is the MXC based on?
Sarah Sladek has pioneered research on the topic of membership behaviors, strategies, and trends. The MXC is based on the culmination of her on-going research and expertise, including but not limited to:
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Launching the first international study of membership, gathering research in 59 countries
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Surveying 20,000+ members on their membership experiences, interests, and expectations
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Uncovering the Cycle to Engagement, including when and why membership decision-making patterns changed
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Introducing the Next Gen Diagnostic, a process for identifying generation gaps in the membership experience and predicting trends
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Authoring six best-selling books and 14 research papers on membership
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Leading membership research and strategy development projects for organizations globally
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Founding XYZ University, a next-gen membership and employee engagement firm, and Membership U, the first learning community for membership professionals
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Interviewing hundreds of leaders on best practices for her books, Save the Associations and Trends Talk web shows, and The Membership IQ podcast.
Who else is overseeing the quality of this program?
The Membership U Board of Advisors, a board of 30 association leaders representing organizations based in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
