By Doug Pinkham Most associations consider advocacy to be one of their primary missions—and strengths. More than 80,000 associations, representing every conceivable industry sector and profession, now operate in the U.S. Of this number, many are engaged in public affairs activities at the local, state, national or international levels, and their views are discussed widely in Washington, in state capitals and in the news media. But the business of public affairs is being transformed by a host of major challenges beyond the control of associations. Industries don’t fit into neat categories anymore. Remember when banks made loans, insurance agents sold insurance and… Read More