How Giving More Can Make You More And Why Connections Are the Real Currency of Success

When organizations talk about keeping members engaged, they often focus on events, newsletters or new programs. But as Certified Speaking Professional Ed Rigsbee explains on Success Thru Connections, true engagement runs much deeper than activity it’s built on relationships.

According to Ed, too many associations and professional societies are struggling to keep members long-term because they forget a simple but powerful truth. This one principle, Ed says, separates organizations that thrive from those that simply survive.

1. Relationships Over Revenue

For Ed, the most successful organizations understand that relationships are the true currency of impact.
He puts it simply:

“You have to make relationship bank deposits every year with all your members. Because at the end of the year, when you’re asking them for a relationship bank withdrawal meaning you want them to renew there’s got to be something in the bank.”

That’s where many associations fall short. They focus on renewal time without realizing that engagement is earned throughout the year. Members stay connected not out of obligation but because they feel valued, appreciated and part of something meaningful.

2. Why Volunteerism Needs a Rethink

One of the biggest shifts Ed highlights is the way people want to volunteer. Organizations can no longer expect everyone to serve in the same way they did decades ago.

The key is to let people give back on their own terms based on their time, ability and skills and make sure they feel good about their contribution.

That sense of fulfillment, he explains, is part of the “rent” organizations pay for the gift of someone’s time. When volunteers feel seen and appreciated, they stay engaged.

3. Innovate Without Losing Your Legacy

Ed reminds leaders that engagement is also about evolution. But innovation doesn’t mean abandoning history.

Organizations that balance both honoring their roots while adapting to new realities are the ones that create lasting connection and relevance.

Final Takeaway: Relationship Before Renewal

Ed Rigsbee’s words are simple but transformative, retention isn’t about asking for more, it’s about giving more.
The strongest organizations are those that consistently invest in their members through gratitude, flexibility and authentic connection.

So before you ask for another renewal, ask yourself: Have we made enough deposits this year?

🎧Want more insights like this?

Listen to the full conversation with Ed Rigsbee on Success Thru Connections. His story is filled with wisdom, real-life lessons and practical insights on how relationship-building, innovation and purpose-driven leadership can transform organizations and redefine engagement. Listen to the episode now!