Our members up close (demo style 2)

By Joseph McHardy
APodA HR Advisory Service
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#1 Growth and retention of members

We all know that 2020 was an unpredictable year with the significant disruption to health services and the economy caused by Covid impacting businesses and individuals financially. It was decided in March 2020 that the APodA would reduce the membership fee across all categories by 25% plus provide the option to defer membership and insurance payments until October 2020 for members who required financial relief. The combination of reduced fees and the increase in member communications and support at this time of crisis proved to be a successful strategy, with not only a solid retention of members [92%] for the year but also a growth in membership of 21%. This compares to the growth rate of the profession of 4.6% as reported by the Podiatry Board of Australia in the Annual Report 2019/2020.

 

#2 Supporting our new professionals

At the start of the membership renewal campaign in May 2020 we had 284 graduate members, of which 245 renewed as a first year professionals and nine professionals joined for the first time, making a total of 254 first year professionals. This represents 89% of graduates who upgraded their membership to the new professional category. You may also be aware that 2020 was the first year of our second tier reduced membership pricing structure for new professionals in their second year. Prior to the renewal campaign we had 178 new professionals, of which 163 renewed to new professionals in their second year. This represents 92% of new professional members who upgraded to the second year category.

 

#3 How our members work

  • 66% of members are full time
  • 15% of members are part time
  • 10% of members are new professional 1st year
  • 7% of members are new professional 2nd year
  • 2% of members are affiliate.

 

#4 Location, location

A big picture view of our members’ locations 81% of our members live and work in metro locations 19% of our members are classified as living and working in rural or remote regions.

 

StateMetroRural
ACT100%0%
NSW79%21%
NT100%0%
QLD82%18%
SA86%14%
TAS100%0%
VIC85%15%
WA80%20%

 

#5 Through the ages

Our membership is diverse when it comes to the age groups represented.

#6 Taking initiative

The most popular and positive initiatives in 2020 reported in the members survey were as follows. COVID relief – reduced membership fees The virtual conference COVID resources

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