I guess I'm one of those who sees value in membership beyond "What's in it for me?"
I've belonged to a number of nonprofit educational associations over the years, solely because I saw fit to support organizations representing my hobbies and interests. Obviously I didn't see every penny back in trade from the Pasadena Rose Society at $35 a year (back in the dark ages when a buck was worth something) or the American Rose Society at $50 a year, but I DID see the value in supporting local and national organizations that were a venue for sharing of interest and information with others, that created and administered competition structures, and that presented an informative interface with the general public.
Never once in those years did I hear people proudly announcing that they would not be members of the organizations in whose shows they were participating and taking advantage, nor did I hear relentless nickel-and-diming about whether this month's issue or entry tag was "worth it" or not. FFS.
Maybe times are different, but I was under the impression that if one had an interest in something, or wished to engage in activities with others, or wished to promote something and encourage others in similar interests, that one would step a little outside of the narrow zone of self-interest.
< /soapbox>