THE SEMINAL ROLE OF MEMBERSHIP IN AN AGE OF SKEPTICISM

Trust, once the foundation of society’s reliance on professionals, is in sharp decline. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer shows widespread institutional distrust, with fewer people believing leaders act truthfully. Multiple crises—COVID-19, climate change, political instability—have exposed the limits and fallibility of expertise. Simultaneously, digital platforms blur the lines between informed advice and confident misinformation. This has led to a crisis of professional authority, not due to incompetence, but to eroded platforms and louder, less credible voices. Yet membership organizations have a vital, often overlooked role: to rebuild trust by fostering legitimacy through reform, community connection, transparency, and strategic renewal. Email us with your questions and comments.