Maximizing Membership in a Professional Association

If your occupation has a professional organization, then your employers and/or professors may have encouraged you to join. Although, not required, it could be interpreted that you’re invested in the profession if you join. Joining a professional organization is not cheap so you should think twice before coughing up hundreds of dollars just to add one line to your resume or LinkedIn profile page.

If you’re going to join a professional organization, then you should get the most out of your membership. Here are 6 ways in which you can maximize your membership.

Educate yourself. To be honest, you should educate yourself before joining so you’re aware of what it has to offer. Read through each section of the website and make note of the things you like and stood out to you. Ask current members about their experience to see how it’s benefited them. You can even contact a membership coordinator to directly ask questions or express concerns regarding the organization. Once you learn what it offers, have all questions answered, and all comments addressed, then you can determine if it’s worth it.

Get involved. Once you’ve decided that it’s worth paying for and you’re a member, don’t just stop there. See what committees or groups there are to join. If there’s a leadership opportunity, run during elections to improve and increase your leadership experience. If your organization is accepting proposals for its conference or journal, then submit a topic or article to engage in scholarly work. If your organization is looking for someone to facilitate a workshop or host a continuing education unit (CEU) event, then apply to share and train others in your area of expertise. Getting involved and taking advantage of these events is the key to maximizing your membership because these experiences will allow you to enhance your resume and fuel your passion for the profession.

Take advantage of discounts. As a member, you will be charged things at a lower price than non-members. Therefore, attend the conferences at a discounted price to or participate in the continuing education units (CEU) offered free or at a reduced rate for members to upkeep your knowledge and expertise in the field. It will also help ensure that you have all of your required CEU’s before renewing your license. Attend a free happy hour hosted by your local chapter to meet and engage with fellow members and feel a sense of comradery.

Don’t just network, connect and build a relationship. Anyone can introduce themselves, recite their elevator pitch, exchange business cards and send a generic follow-up email. However, that’s not going to get you anywhere. Take the time to have a conversation with current members, get to know them for who they are, and learn things about them that’s not easily available. First impressions are everything so you want to make your best one. Don’t come off as an opportunist. Be genuine open to the possibilities the relationship could blossom into. 

Communicate concerns. If there’s something that you find concerning, share it with your local chapter’s president or secretary. When communicating your concern, provide reasons why it’s a concern as well as recommendations. When communicating concerns, be sure that you’ve done your research before presenting an issue to an official. Have facts and try to be as objective as possible. Be sure to ponder the ways in which your concern could affect others, not just yourself.

Pay attention. If you joined a professional organization, chances are, you’re on its listserv. Email and print mail are two major ways that your organization will communicate with its member. There may be postings on their social media platform so be sure to follow its social media pages. Take the time to read the newsletter or email. Examine whether there’s an upcoming event you’d like to attend or a webinar that you’d like to register for. There are many messages that’s being communicated; you don’t want to miss it.

Joining a professional organization has its perks and can enhance your professional development and trajectory. To maximize your membership, be intentional about joining by identifying why you’re joining and what you hope to achieve during your tenure. Often times, you can gain more when you stop thinking about how you can benefit and think about how you can give back. When we give back, typically, we end up getting so much more.

Comment how you’ve benefited your professional organization and how you’ve contributed to your profession.