This document provides tips and strategies for networking through associations. It discusses the benefits of face-to-face interaction and relationship building over the long term. The key recommendations are to find appropriate associations to attend by researching online and asking peers, attend events regularly to familiarize yourself with members, and serve the association by volunteering or taking on leadership roles. Examples are given of individuals who were successful by getting involved with their local chambers of commerce, alumni groups, civic organizations and business networks. The overall message is that networking requires consistency, persistence and fully engaging with associations through the "FAS" formula of find, attend, serve.

1. Networking by Association(s) Paul E Maynard’s Presentation to Dallas IABC October 12, 2010

2. Why do this? Interaction face-to-face This is about engagement Long term This takes time Relationship building Pay attention Service Become a part of the organization

3. The Formula Find Attend Serve

4. Find Research Internet search Business journal or newspaper Ask around Do your peers and friends know about it? Buzz? Determine if it is appropriate Who attends? What is the value to you? Make a list and prioritize Rank them

5. Attend Try out an event More than once Work the room Find out who are regulars, who are first timers Discover Why do people come to these things? Who runs the organization?

6. Serve Participate Volunteer Write Greet Organize Communicate Serve Committees Boards

7. Evaluating Where Go where your customers are Know your environment What Know the shelflife Consider time Who The host The attendees Guests Why Have a reason Don’t oversaturate

8. Types of Associations Peer professional IABC AMA DSVC DPA Fraternal or service Rotary Lions Civic Chambers of Commerce Business CEO Networkers Homeowner’s associations National groups Clubs Alumni Associations

9. Peer Professional “Your people”. They know: Your field Your job Your work Could be partners Could be clients Recognize trends

10. Peer Professional Success Story Tom Dennis and DFW AMA Active volunteer Board member Company sponsorships Had an impact on the organization

11. Fraternal or Service Connects you to a cause And those in the community with the same interest Connects you to leaders in business and public office Levels the field Great outlet Your conscience Sense of community and service

12. Fraternal or Service Success Story Jenny Dowdy and Rotary Preston Center and Frisco Sunrise chapters Active volunteer Speaker Host for events

13. Chambers Best way to learn your community History Issues Connects you to leaders in business and public office Committee membership and chairmanships Connections at events Great outlet for finding business partners and clients Over time Persistence Consistency

14. Chamber Success Story Joan Nye and NDCC Only a member for 2 months Found several clients Referred a dozen more Active volunteer

15. Business Groups Connect you to a variety of peers Connections at events Could be national or local Great outlet for finding business partners as well as clients Rely on word of mouth (WOM) for referrals

16. Business Success Story Elizabeth Naylor and CEO Networkers Long-time member More than 10 years Weekly meeting WOM Referrals Almost all of her business Referrals beget referrals

17. Homeowner’s Association Success Story Brien Caldwell and his homeowners’ association Officer Board member Increased his visibility Built his network

18. National Business Groups National with local ties (chapters) Market- or business-specific BOMA ASIS NACS Move up or move down to connect within the network

19. Clubs Connect you to your direct peers Committee membership and chairmanships Connections at events Great outlet for finding business partners more than clients Would I be a member of a club that lets me be a member?

20. Clubs Success Story University of Arizona Alumni Association Connections to major companies Consulting Aerospace Construction and engineering Connections back to campus Alumni Association President University President

21. In Summary Know why you are doing this Remember the formula—FAS Use all of your tools Practice patience and persistence

22. For more information Paul E Maynard 817-891-1167 [email_address] www.linkedin.com/in/paulmaynard www.facebook.com/thepaulmaynard www.twitter.com/paulem53