ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

How important is it to you to belong to a industry association. Pros and Cons

That is why I am not a IICRC (or whatever they call themselves today) member.  Something for Nothing.  Same with the BBB, the Chamber of Commerce and these referral clubs.  

most can not afford to care.  They buy products without ever referring to Consumers Digest which when the economy did not suck and this was an employees market and not an employers market consumers could afford the best and names mattered.  Now, who cares about the name, does your product or service do the job?  

Don't the associations give a rats ass if your a member?

John L wrote: Don't the associations give a rats ass if your a member?

They give a rats ass about your membership dues.

FIO - is that Floorcovering Institute of Ontario or Federation of Ombudsman?

If you don't stand for something then you will fall for anything. Especially when we start out we need hand-holding and support. Speaking with association members could help you dig yourself out of a hole that your inexperience got you into.

This association problem solving just may be worth thousands of dollars on avoiding claims and your reputation.

The FIO in Ontario had an employee working for us that continuously never stopped asking what she could do to help our business progress. Most association members were continuously complaining about no one ever working for them and never the miracles and profit they felt they should receive.

Unfortunately no associations promote on behalf of their members as the fees would be excessive. The only way a small association can be effective (since it has limited funds and employees) is having member volunteers from time to time help things move forward and that is where it all breaks down.

You will always find a few good samaritans who will work vigorously for the good of the association and the industry. But, every hour spent on association business is an hour less spent on your own business.

I commend the people that contribute as it is a tireless and thankless job. I must say in the world of not speaking and eye-balling people we are lost in a world of text messages etc, etc, etc. It would be nice again to sit down as we once did in the past and break bread and have conversations with other industry members.