Membership in professional associations provides value to individuals and organizations in several ways. Associations allow members to develop professionally through educational courses, networking opportunities, and industry advancement initiatives. They provide avenues for professional development, networking, mentoring, and accessing industry expertise. While membership costs money, the benefits of furthering one's career, gaining referrals and recommendations, and staying informed of industry best practices through association involvement outweigh the fees.

1. Member Value in Associations
By James P. Mullan, CMDSM, EMCM, MDC, MDP, LSSGB - Consultant @ JPM Consultants
Associations are created to establish strength and unity in working toward common goals in
virtually every profession.
When I was first asked by Amanda to submit an article on the value of associations today I
immediately thought “this will be really personal because my membership in many career
associations - MSMA, PCC, ARMA, AIIM – have brought value through networking and
educational benefits, which have boosted my career! I can honestly say that without my
association memberships I would not be where I am today. When I was first hired I did not know
the recruiter personally. He told me that he became aware of me through my association with
the MSMA.
To know that I “practice what I preach” you only need to check my LinkedIn profile and to the list
of my “Honors & Awards,” “Certifications,” “Projects” and “Publications” – all of which resulted
from my heavy involvement and participation in multiple associations. Do understand that
associations do not just hand out these awards and certifications. You must earn them by
completing courses as well as by participating and networking, volunteering and serving on
committees.
I am a strong believer in “getting out what you put in.” I have served on multiple boards in
various capacities on numerous associations and still do so today. I am presently the President
of the Metro NJ NY MSMA Chapter while also serving on the MSMA National Board as Director

2. of Marketing. I also serve as the Industry Co-Chair for the Greater New Jersey Postal Customer
Council and on the PCCAC Membership Committee.
Becoming a member of a professional association has many advantages. They are found in just
about every industry. One question often asked is, "Is it worth the yearly fees to join these
groups?" The short answer to that question is a resounding "YES". The advantages of joining an
industry group are many and can help any individual advance their careers and improve their
skills.
What are members looking for?
I feel that people join professional associations for a variety of reasons. However, there are two
major reasons for a person to join a group today:
to give back to their industry or
to obtain value from their membership
Fortunately, for most people, their desire to become a member lies somewhere in between and
they want to give and receive from the association. Most associations give members the
opportunity to do both.
Some examples of the value associations provide:
In no particular order, below are some examples of how being a part of an association can
provide value. In today's tough economy money is not readily available so you need a good
reason to give your time and investment. Also, you must justify this expense to your company,
which will want to know the ROI, the corporate value and benefit you are going to bring back to
your organization.
Professional Development – I am living proof that one of the biggest benefits of any association
is giving its members the chance for further development in the industry. Through certifications,
courses, seminars, workshops, publications and many other avenues, members can take
advantage of the collective knowledge of their entire association.
Networking – To me, the most valuable benefit one can get out of association memberships is
the ability to stay in contact with other members. You can forge valuable relationships with other
members that can benefit you when looking for a new job or needing referrals or
recommendations for many things. These professional meetings and gatherings can provide
you with the opportunity to meet and mingle with your peers. Members are generally willing to
help other members. Networking is a wonderful to get to know association members and
interact with them socially and professionally.
Industry Advancement – Most association members will have a goal of helping to advance their
industry. This can provide value for the entire group by raising awareness of industry standards
and best practices. The association can be shown in a positive light when its members
showcase what the association has to offer.
Membership Access – Membership access can pay off in numerous ways. First and foremost,
you can call on members to assist you to serve on committees or boards. Members are often
experts in certain fields that you may need assistance in. Membership also allows you to
engage people for their experience, expertise and knowledge.

3. Mentoring – This is another important area where value can be both given and received.
Members with vast experience will see the value and benefit to the association and industry in
assisting the younger members gain experience and knowledge in the industry.
It is often hard to justify spending your hard-earned money on dues and fees for professional
associations. Yet that money can provide great value to you and to the association. Member
value can be viewed as working two ways - getting value and giving your time, but in the end it
is the member who generally reaps the greatest value. My suggestion is to get involved in your
professional association and enjoy the benefits of membership.
Simply stated, associations provide value to members through networking, education and
sharing of success and failure. Knowing that others have incurred some of the same challenges
and hearing their stories and solutions can build your confidence, provide you with a new
perspective and affirm your ideas and direction. All too often we obtain knowledge though a
small window reflecting our specific industry. Associations serving all major industries, from mail
to legal to banking, include members with a vast array of experience and who are often willing to
share what they know. Tapping that knowledge is virtually priceless.