11/20/2025

SPECIAL MESSAGE: OSAP MEMBERS FROM CHAIR EVAN K. NEWMAN, MBA

We are excited to move forward in a new direction with you

As 2025 comes to a close, I want to thank you for your involvement with the Ohio Society of Association Professionals – your association – as Jarrod likes to say. This year, OSAP proudly protected the association industry on several fronts, including leading efforts to stop national legislation that could have threatened nonprofits’ tax-exempt status and non-dues revenue. Our commitment to protecting, educating and unifying our members remains central to everything we do.

Today, I'm excited to share, on behalf of the board, an important update about OSAP's future. The OSAP Board of Directors has voted to transition from an individual membership model to an organizational membership structure in 2026. This change is designed to expand learning opportunities, support future volunteer leaders and better represent the full scope of work and service association and industry professionals do across Ohio and beyond.

Organizational memberships will also give you—and your entire team—broader access to resources, educational content, best-in-class programming and exclusive member-only pricing. Many professional societies have already modernized their membership models, and now is the right time for OSAP to evolve, as well. Today, as we face new legislative challenges and opportunities for growth, expanding our reach is essential to strengthening our collective voice and our members' access to professional development.

To support this transition, OSAP has developed a tiered pricing system that keeps services affordable while giving organizations greater flexibility in determining who participates in OSAP. We have also created specialized membership options for consultants and students to ensure all professionals connected to our industry can find a place to call home within our community.

Expanding access will increase the educational value of OSAP and create more opportunities for collaboration. As I often say to my own members, "a rising tide lifts all boats." With more diverse perspectives in the room, we all benefit. You will gain greater access to leaders beyond your current circles while OSAP continues to build the strong, connected community upon which our members have come to rely.

This transition also will enhance how we share knowledge, strengthen OSAP’s influence in Ohio and the region all while elevating our profession’s visibility and value. Your engagement already demonstrates your commitment to the work you do, and OSAP remains dedicated to showcasing the standards, networks and expertise that define our field.

We look forward to the opportunities ahead and are grateful to grow alongside you. OSAP is a collective voice for our industry; together, we are stronger.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your chair this year. I’m excited for what this new membership structure will bring to OSAP.

Warm regards,
Evan K. Newman, MBA
Chair, OSAP 2025