Fuzzy Results for Finitely Supported Structures

We present a survey of some results published recently by the authors regarding the fuzzy aspects of finitely supported structures. Considering the notion of finite support, we introduce a new degree of membership association between a crisp set and a finitely supported function modelling a degree of membership for each element in the crisp set. We define and study the notions of invariant set, invariant complete lattices, invariant monoids and invariant strong inductive sets. The finitely supported (fuzzy) subgroups of an invariant group, as well as the L-fuzzy sets on an invariant set (with L being an invariant complete lattice) form invariant complete lattices. We present some fixed point results (particularly some extensions of the classical Tarski theorem, Bourbaki–Witt theorem or Tarski–Kantorovitch theorem) for finitely supported self-functions defined on invariant complete lattices and on invariant strong inductive sets; these results also provide new finiteness properties of infinite fuzzy sets. We show that apparently, large sets do not contain uniformly supported, infinite subsets, and so they are invariant strong inductive sets satisfying finiteness and fixed-point properties.

International Association of Social Work with Groups

The International Association of Social Work with Groups (IASWG) is a nonprofit, volunteer membership association that advocates for effective group work education and practice. It was founded in 1979. Previously known as the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups, the organization name was changed in 2012 to accurately recognize its global identity. IASWG has 21 chapters and numerous organizational and individual members. Through a series of programs and advocacy, it seeks to promote and support group work practitioners, scholars, academics, and students engaged in group work practice, education, field instruction, research, and publication. Key offerings include an annual 4-day international educational symposium, the creation and dissemination of the IASWG Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups, stimulation and support for innovative group work initiatives, sponsorship of Group Work Camps, and ongoing opportunities for scholarship and publication about group work.

Determination of Overall Equipment Efectiveness Superflex Machine Using Fuzzy Approach

This study aimed to present a Fuzzy logic approach in determining the value of OEE Superflex machine for producing nuggets. The effectiveness value of Superflex machine in producing nugget raw materials was determined by calculating the Availability, Performance and Quality Yield values. Fuzzy approach in determining the value of OEE can be used because this approach is able to describe the value of the effectiveness of thr machines based on the condition of the company's actual capacities. The Fuzzy OEE approach uses the Trapezoidal Membership Association because the maximum value of the membership degree has more than one value in each parameter. The Fuzzy OEE value shows that Superflex machine had an OEE value with bad parameters so that the company has to improve its machine performance

The Trouble With Types: A Partial Test of the Validity of Membership Association Content as a Proxy for Structure

Research findings on what types of voluntary associations influence members’ political participation are inconsistent. We suggest the problem is the use of content-based types (e.g., political, service, leisure) as proxies for civic structures (e.g., member interaction, political talk) in organizations. Proxy measures assume structural consistency among organizations within content types. Is this assumption warranted? To investigate, we reorganize data from the American Citizen Participation Survey, using reports from individuals about the associations they joined to create a 5,371-case organization-level data set. We analyze variation in organizational structures within and between content types. We find that while types focused on partisan politics are somewhat consistent, most types are so internally varied that knowing the type gives little insight into any given organization’s structures. We offer suggestions for future data collection efforts that could capture better data on association content and structure.

Creating Brand Ambassadors

Membership associations can face specific challenges when it comes to marketing and brand recognition. This case describes how the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), a membership association for 26 national and international women's fraternal organizations, or “sororities,” addresses these challenges. NPC's mission is to be the premiere advocacy and support organization for the advancement of the sorority experience. However, NPC has traditionally struggled with brand recognition and identity, hampering their mission fulfillment. This chapter illustrates the social media techniques used to engage and inform NPC's key constituents through a virtual event, using a two-pronged approach. The first prong involves deepening engagement to move stakeholders to higher levels of interaction with the association. NPC must effectively communicate with its vast network of members and stakeholders to help generate greater awareness of NPC and promote sorority life in general. The second prong involves using its existing network to amplify NPC's key messages and spread it to those beyond its current network. Outputs and outcomes for the virtual event were used to determine that a defined strategy, as provided in the organization's strategic plan and logic model, impacted overall outcomes.

College Athletics

The intersection of law and college athletics is unique given the role that the NCAA, a private membership association, plays in defining amateurism in the United States. In the twenty-first century, college athletics has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry. Yet, as the revenue to college athletics skyrockets—primarily as a result of exploding media broadcast rights fees—compensation to the labor that produces the demand for this product, the college athletes, remains restricted. Increasingly, lawsuits challenge the NCAA’s efforts to protect its version of amateurism. As a result of the growing tension between ideology and commercialism, it is abundantly clear that change is coming to the landscape of college athletics.

Toward a Theory of Membership Association Finance

This article explores patterns in membership associations’ portfolios. It compares and contrasts portfolio theory, which predicts variety in revenue portfolios, with a newer benefits theory, which postulates that revenue options are constrained by the balance between the member benefits and societal benefits they produce. The research makes use of a new database that more accurately measures dues and program service revenue of associations than other databases. The weight of the evidence supports benefits theory more strongly than revenue portfolio theory. This research incidentally finds that revenue concentration increases with size and decreases with real estate ownership. The article introduces the concepts of one-off entry and exit costs on members (tariffs), which tend to reduce members’ sensitivity to the level of dues. Indeed, dues are often dominant among the associations having presumptively high tariffs, such as trade unions and certain recreational clubs.

Inside the Project Management Institute

PMI is the world's leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project, program, and portfolio management profession. Now in its 46th year, the association provides global advocacy, collaboration, education, and research to more than 2.9 million professionals working in nearly every country in the world. To better support project practitioners in their role as “change agents,” PMI utilizes popular social media platforms, as well as a robust virtual community. Through social media, PMI creates an environment in which project practitioners create, curate, and share strong value-added content, take part in well-informed discussions, and collaborate to seek effective solutions.

Inside the Project Management Institute

PMI is the world's leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project, program, and portfolio management profession. Now in its 46th year, the association provides global advocacy, collaboration, education, and research to more than 2.9 million professionals working in nearly every country in the world. To better support project practitioners in their role as “change agents,” PMI utilizes popular social media platforms, as well as a robust virtual community. Through social media, PMI creates an environment in which project practitioners create, curate, and share strong value-added content, take part in well-informed discussions, and collaborate to seek effective solutions.

Organizations and the Democratic Representation of Interests: What Does It Mean When Those Organizations Have No Members?

This article documents the prevalence in organized interest politics in the United States of organizations—for example, corporations, think tanks, universities, or hospitals—that have no members in the ordinary sense and analyzes the consequences of that dominance for the democratic representation of citizen interests. We use data from the Washington Representatives Study, a longitudinal data base containing more than 33,000 organizations active in national politics in 1981, 1991, 2001, 2006, and 2011. The share of membership associations active in Washington has eroded over time until, in 2011, barely a quarter of the more than 14,000 organizations active in Washington in 2011 were membership associations, and less than half of those were membership association with individuals as members. In contrast, a majority of the politically involved organizations were memberless organizations, of which nearly two-thirds were corporations. The dominance of memberless organizations in pressure politics raises important questions about democratic representation. Studies of political representation by interest groups raise several concerns about democratic inequalities: the extent to which representation of interests by groups is unequal, the extent to which groups fail to represent their members equally, and the extent to which group members are unable to control their leaders. All of the dilemmas that arise when membership associations advocate in politics become even more intractable when organizations do not have members.