What Is an Association? - Association Definition

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An association has at least three members, it has a common ideoligical purpose and its activity is permanent. Association member's can be persons, associations, limited companies, etc. One association can also contain several types of members, e.g. other associations and persons mixed.
 

The ideologicality of an association is a broad concept, which nowadays covers an extensive scope of activity. Ideoligicality can mean for example:

  • promoting of some ideological view (promoting the use of fair trade food)
     
  • trusteeship of a group (labor unions)
     
  • charity
     
  • producing and offering of member services (several trusteeship-centered associations also produce member services)
     
  • increased offering of possibilities to spend time together (e.g. sports clubs).

 

Ideologicality doesn't refer to economical activity or the pursuit of economical payoffs. An association can however strive to produce economical benefits for its members by e.g. working for the raising of salaries.

Permanence means, that there is no moment on the way, when association's work is done and it can be terminated as unnecessary. An association can however work for a clear single goal, and the association can be dismantled after the goal is achieved.


Different Kinds of Associations
 

An association can be registered or unofficial. The abbreviation used with registered associations is often RA, but it differs depending on the country.

Association's name doesn't necessarily have to include the word "association". Other words are perfectly acceptable. Common terms for different associations include club, department, division and society.

An association, which includes several associations as members, is often called union or federation.

This article is a modification of the Finnish version produced by Optinet Ltd and found on www.yhdistystieto.fi.

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