A lack of continuity resulting from officer rotation is a problem for some chapters. Chapters have responded in various ways. Some bring their leaders up through the ranks, i.e. the vice president becomes the president elect, or there are 1st and 2nd vice presidents who advance to president. Other chapters ask officers to serve a two year term. Other ideas: past officers plan the first meeting of the new year; past officers turn over records of the office to the incoming counterparts and give verbal or written summaries of their duties.

The effectiveness and strength of an LERA chapter depends on maintaining a strong representation from the three sides of the Industrial Relations triangle: labor, management, and neutral or public sector. If members detect a weakness they must assume the responsibility for recruiting effective new members to strengthen that side. If any one side becomes dominant, the result weakens the whole organization.

The difficulty of maintaining a mailing list is a specific problem often mentioned by chapters. Several chapters publish a formal Membership Directory annually or every two-three years. many feel that the directory is worth the effort as a marketing or promotional vehicle. Other chapters maintain an informal list of members that gives basic contact information. In either case, maintenance is sometimes a problem. This is one area where a home office with a computer is useful. A computerized list, especially in Microsoft Excel or Access format, is most efficient and flexible.

Co-sponsorship of the chapter by an organization such as FMCS (Northwest) or AAA (Boston) or a University (Alabama) allows the chapter to function and be organized. Consistency of personnel keeps the chapter going. Co-sponsorship of local meetings or conferences provides dual mailing lists, ensures representation from differing sides of the IR triangle and brings new people in all the time.

How to get new members is the concern of every chapter. One group urges its members to spread the word: "For persons engaged in the business of conducting or influencing the region's labor-management relations, LERA membership should come with the job." Some chapters offer an incentive for new members to join. A number of chapters sponsor joint meetings with other groups i.e. arbitrators, attorneys, AAA, ABA, ACR, FMCS, NLRB, SHRM, and use those lists for recruitment of new members. Several chapters have golf outings, social events, or holiday parties, etc., when members can bring guests. The Philadelphia Chapter invites students to attend speaker's presentations, and invites professors to bring a student as the chapter's dinner guest in an effort to interest young people in chapter membership.

When a program has a particular appeal to members of another organization, those members might be sent an invitation and information about the program. An example would be sending attorneys and arbitrators the information about a program on new federal labor legislation.

Good publicity can be a key in gaining new members. Some chapters list themselves in the phone book, some get the meeting notice and speaker information in the local newspaper, some put meeting info in other groups' newsletter and then reciprocate. Some chapters issue new member certificates. Many chapters list their officers/board members names and affiliation, or names, addresses, affiliation, and phone number on chapter stationary. This provides visibility for the chapter.

Getting members to attend meetings is a concern for all chapters. Chapters vary the meeting site and combine with different groups because this brings in new people. Some chapters send paid-up members meeting notices by first class mail, some use creative artwork on their notices, or use brightly colored paper to attract attention. Some chapters earn significant income through an annual conference and can subsidize their lunch meetings. Some chapter bill their no-shows. Some chapters have organizational memberships, allowing a firm or organization to join as a group and then send 2-3 people to meetings, not necessarily the same people each time.