#73 Building Belonging: DAPA’s Bold Shift to a Community-First Membership Model

What does it really mean to put community first in an association? In this episode, Olena chats with Marty Thomas, CEO of the Dental Assistance Professional Association (DAPA), about reimagining membership through a community-first lens. With a background in commercial enterprise and a passion for volunteer-led organisations, Marty brings a fresh perspective to association leadership.During this conversation, we discussed DAPA’s transformation journey from a traditional transactional model to one grounded in engagement, advocacy, and accessibility. We unpack how DAPA is balancing financial sustainability with inclusivity, why Marty believes connection matters more than membership numbers, and what this shift means for the future of associations across Australia.If you’re curious about innovative membership strategies or grappling with how to make your organisation more relevant and representative, this episode is a must-listen.P.S. To download the Purpose Under Pressure: Global Association Trends in 2025 report we mentioned at the beginning of the episode, click here.