Blog Post: Professionally Connecting with Associations

Did you know that membership in a professional association is a huge opportunity to expand your connections and grow your resources? With more than 5,000 professional associations nationwide (many with local chapters in your city), there is really no excuse for not joining an association that represents the voice of your profession.

As someone who speaks quite often at various association conferences, I can assure you that there are large groups of people who do the same thing you do: And guess what… they are waiting to connect with you!

Two weeks ago I attended annual international conventions for two of my professional associations. Although these conventions happened to be scheduled on the same week in opposite ends of the country (Baltimore and San Diego), the miracles of modern transportation made it possible for me to attend both. It was a good thing I made the effort, as I walked away from those meetings with new resources and new information that will directly impact my business; I also made many new friends.

Another thing I’ve noticed about professional associations, I find many people pay their annual dues, but never actually attend meetings or volunteer for a leadership role. If that sounds familiar, you’ve missed the point of being a member.

My business and my network have seen not only a positive impact by my role as an active member in the National Speakers Association (NSA), both nationally and locally in the Colorado chapter, but also from my membership in the American Psychological Type International.

Simply said, the success I have experienced in my career is a direct result of being an active member in my professional associations. Just last week, through the support of my colleagues and wonderful clients, I received the highest NSA earned designation… the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) medal of honor. It took me more than five years to achieve it and I could not have done so without the support of my association, who cheered from the sidelines, every step of the way!

Here are some action steps you can take to start expanding your network and your education through involvement in an association;

Perfecting Connecting® Action Steps:

1. Launch a Web search by typing the name of your career into your online browser. Follow the career name with “professional association” in quotes. This will lead you to the Web sites of local, national, and international chapters and associations pertaining to your business. By getting involved in a local chapter, you will also make national and international connections.
2. Contact the membership director or president of the professional association you’re interested in and ask how you can be of service. Offering to help with registration or being a greeter at a meeting is a great way to meet new colleagues. All associations rely on their volunteer leaders to run the meetings.
3. Before you attend an association meeting, spend some time thinking about your “Seventeen-Second Introduction.” This way you will be prepared for the evitable questions, “So, what do you do?” or “What do you specialize in?” Feel free to e-mail me for a worksheet from my book to help you compose your powerful introduction.

I’m very grateful for the wonderful relationships and professional guidance I have received from my professional associations. There is a wonderful Zulu proverb that Lenora Billings-Harris, NSA’s past president, shared with me: Ubuntu which means, “I am because you are. You are because I am.” I couldn’t have said it better.

Get connected professionally,

Sarah Michel, CSP