For years you could be filling your planner with dates and obligations for an association or non-profit but how do you know if it's the right place for you? At a recent event for Loudoun Young Professionals, an audience member asked the question, "With all these organizations to get involved in, how do I divide my time without spreading myself too thin?" The speaker, Kate Zurschmeide a part owner in Great Country Farms and Bluemont Vineyards answered with "Choose an organization that you feel passionate about and the more involved you become, the more you'll get out of it." In so many words, Kate emphasized the value of time and choosing to be a member of something that you have an interest in and those who take it a step further to join a committee within it usually get more out of the experience. It's what you put in it!
Make a list and ask around
- Decide on a few organizations that are of interest to you - personal or professional associations, non-profits or fundraisers to become involved in. If you're joining an organization and not interested in it, you're joining for all the wrong reasons and ultimately not using your time wisely. Take a poll from co-workers, friends, Twitter followers, or Facebook friends about the organizations you're interested in pursuing or organizations they're active members in. Yet, take opinions with a grain of salt because what's beneficial or unbeneficial to them, may be different for you. You can go as far as emailing members that you haven't met who are in an association of interest and inquire about the value they find in their membership and the events.
Don't judge by a website
- Find associations, organizations or other groups to join by searching online, but don't judge a book by it's cover. Many associations place a greater emphasis on content in workshops and the value in membership on a face-to-face level. Be sure to consider organizations who may not have the fanciest flash website. In my experience, flash and nice websites don't exactly equal valuable and worthwhile.
Attend a few meetings or events
- Now that you've promised to note judge an association by it's website template, how can you judge it? Attend a few events hosted by the association in different formats. For instance, if an association hosts networking series, how-to workshops, panel forums - attend an array of events. While you're there, talk to members and try to meet as many people as possible to see why they value their membership, the pros/cons of the association, dues and obligations including time.
Hone down on the one's you're most passionate about...
- Searching for the association that's right for you can take time and energy but it's well worth the wasted time, money and energy towards an organization that's not right for you. Once you have made your rounds to a few organizations, decide how you can divide your time. Questions to ask, 1) What is my ultimate goal in joining this group? Why am I joining? 2) Will this organization or association help fulfill my wants in an ideal association? 3) Does it require more time and commitment than I have to offer? 4) Are there other ways to become involved in the organization such as committees? As a professional, if you value your own time, ask yourself these questions.
Once you've chosen an association or organization that is right for you, try to stay active and engage with other members. Don't stretch yourself too thin by attending every single event, but there are benefits to becoming involved. For instance, the Virginia chapter of ASAE hosts a monthly forum. Executive Chef Craig Mason has made a speaking appearance on food for thought so the members are educated on food for meetings. His upcoming segment will cover farm to table and sustainable seafood as a way for members to learn about best practices and approaching a venue to coordinate fresh local goods at their meetings or retreats. Chef Mason will even offer himself as a resource for the planners if they need help in how to approach a venue on farm to table initiatives. There are more benefits in joining an association that aren't listed on the website or on a registration table, they're best revealed by talking to members, attending different events and finding the right organization or association for you!
Tags: association chat, associations, non-profits, professional development
