Many times, we are too busy to join another group. The thought of going to another meeting, or schmoozing with other professionals seems like just too much work. Professional associations are the most forgotten and misunderstood career development tool. There are professional associations in every field imaginable for every industry. The Directory of Northern California Associations lists hundreds of associations in the Bay Area. Your local reference librarian has the local and national directories. Memberships range from just a few participants to thousands.

Some of examples of Bay Area & National associations include:

• Northern California Human Resources Association
• American Electronic Association, Silicon Valley
• Computer Software Industry Association
• Professional Secretaries International
• San Francisco Hotel Association

Why don’t more people join? To some, it is:

• The time after work
• The extra effort
• The time taken away from work
• The thought of networking

But the overwhelming reason, I hear why workers do not want to join a group is the inherent cost. Many times, workers pay out of their own pockets. The initial cost of membership varies but can reach some up to hundreds of dollars. And of course, professional association meetings are offered during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. These meetings vary greatly in cost. And most professional associations have an annual conference with vendors and seminars, which can also be costly.

Here are the benefits of joining a professional group:

• Expand your professional network. Our contacts become stale and limiting if we have a narrow circle of workers.
• Learn about industry trends. Leaders from industry present and discuss current industry topics.
• Increase others awareness of your company
• Gets you to think outside of the box (many companies and their workers have tunnel vision)
• Discover what other companies are doing

Another benefit to association membership includes receiving a monthly, quarterly, or annual newsletter. Sometimes, professional groups offer job listings and an opportunity for members to advertise what they are looking for. Insurance and legal advice is sometimes part of your membership fee. Some associations have individual memberships. So, if you leave your job, you can still maintain your membership, while others maintain, company memberships. In the latter, when you leave your company, you lose your access to these meetings. Some associations require that you join a national group as well as maintaining your individual membership, which may mean an additional cost.

Here are some strategies to maximize your professional association membership. Some might seem obvious but rarely practiced:
1. Use and read the information gleaned from your professional newsletters. Find out more about:

• hot topics and issues to be current
• know the key players (people and companies)
• vendors that might help you.

2. Have a strategy for attending the meeting. If you are shy, try to make this a time to go to a meeting with a fellow co-worker.

3. Pre-determine a goal for the meeting. "I am going to meet
2-4 new contacts." Collect their cards. Write brief notes about them on the back to jog your memory. The notes could be both personal and professional in nature.

Professional:

• Job duties
• Career goals and objectives
• Previous and current employers
• Skill set
• Views and discussion of professional issues

Personal:
Whether you are able to connect. This is the deepest level of connection. When you people talk in this arena, they are relaxed with you.

• Where you live
• Boards/volunteer work
• Family/children
• Hobbies
• Special interests

4. Update your membership if you are not in a job search mode (this is your insurance policy)

5. Get involved in the association on a deeper level. Why not be part of a committee? Most associations have a version of:

• Program
• Membership
• Reception/Hosting
• Large Events/Conference
• Newsletter
• PR/Marketing/Outreach
• Professional Development
• Officer Role Training/CEU

6. Donate your time if money is limited and you want to attend a conference. Help in the office with a mailing.

7. Request membership if you are laid off as part of an outplacement or transition package.

8. Keep membership in a variety of related groups (in order to have a mix of ideas, personalities, and companies).

9. Write an article if you feel you have some expertise. This catapults you into the role of expert.

10. Follow up with your contacts and keep in touch to renew you.

Professional memberships will always keep you fresh. Through professional associations, you will have an opportunity to learn. And although your work environment might be less than desired, it is through professional groups that you hear about inside opportunities.