23 Reasons To Join Your Professional Associations Today

Earlier this month, I was asked to speak to a group of new professionals interning at Aurora Mental Health Center.  The topic was on why it’s important to join your state and national professional associations.  Just in case you are hesitating, here are 23 reasons that I believe you should join your professional associations today.

1. This is your number one career development tool.
2. This is how mental health professionals get things done.
3. Often there are special resources available to you.
4. This is where you go to learn how to be a professional.
5. This is how you stay informed about your profession’s standards of practice.
6. This is where you learn about professional trends and mandated changes in practice.
7. This is where you can build relationships and expand your network.
8. This is where you get continuing education at affordable prices via conferences, workshops, and forums.
9. Often those continuing education opportunities include a free breakfast, lunch or dinner.
10. This is how you protect and promote your own profession.
11. This is where you increase others awareness of your practice or your employer’s visibility in the community.
12. Student memberships are often reduced or no fee.
13. There are always opportunities here to give back to / build up your profession by your volunteer efforts within the organization.
14. There are often opportunities for community service.
15. This is where you go to stretch your own thinking and stay creative in your work.
16. This is where you learn what others in your profession are doing.
17. This is where you can easily establish yourself as a leader.
18. This organization may choose to sponsor your work, research, or workshop.
19. Many organizations offer members free listings and links on their websites.
20. This is who negotiates for the best and most affordable liability insurance.
21. This is where you get free advice on ethics issues.
22. Many organizations offer job placement services.
23. This will allow you to know other professionals to consult with and refer to (and vice versa) as your needs dictate.

I’m sure there are more benefits / reasons to join.  Can you tell me why you’ve joined your professional associations?