Associations make the world a better place
The power of association, working together creates benefits for all
“There are more than 200 professions that are available to help us covering each area of our personal life. The aim of useAssociations is to provide you with the link to the professional bodies who represent these professions. The directory is a resource for association members, professionals, the general public and the media for locating associations and learning about the essential contribution they provide.”
Alan, Stuart and John Ross
Founders
Associating for success
Since the dawn of man, people have grouped together. By forming associations, humans have been able to derive powerful benefits and extend their reach beyond their singular means.
Modern professional associations are founded on the same principles that brought ancient man together: alliances protect and empower. Mutually beneficial relationships allow people to live in peace with greater freedom and strength.
Power to the people
Associations offer considerable benefits to their members, such as education, networking and a clear, unified voice that can be heard across the world. Associations allow people to work more intelligently and benefit society with world-changing advances in technology, welfare, international trade and cooperation.
But what exactly is an association and why are they a powerful global phenomenon?
Associations: What are they?
Wikipedia defines professional associations as:
“A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or oversight of the legitimate practice of the occupation.”
The best way to understand what professional associations are and why they exist is to look at their functions and the benefits they offer members.
The benefits of professional associations
Let’s look at the initial benefits that typically draw new members into professional associations
Credibility
By joining an association, professionals demonstrate to their clients and peers that they are an accepted member of that profession. Associations provide the valuable service of verifying and authenticating their members' professional status - a service that helps people find legitimate professionals.
Training and education
For professionals interested in Continuous Professional Development (CPD), their association is often the best place to refine and update their skills. Because professional associations typically represent the latest thinking in a particular field, the learning opportunities they provide are unique and valuable.
Conferences and seminars
Professional conferences and seminars are fertile ground where innovations and developments often emerge. Attending these events is crucial for professionals who want to remain informed of new thinking in their field while maintaining their network in a convivial, cooperative environment.
Networking
Associations often provide networking opportunities. These meetings or events offer unmissable opportunities to establish reputation and to develop authentic connections with influential and knowledgeable people.
Discounts & special offers
Professional associations may offer discounted insurance plans or other special offers to group members. Often the value of discounts and deals alone is enough to cover the cost of professional membership.
Resources
Many professional associations offer members unique resources, such as databases, venues, market research and equipment.
The deeper contribution of professional associations
Beyond the benefits listed above, professional associations make a wider contribution that impacts government, social policy and society as a whole
Ensuring quality service through codes of conduct
Associations frequently lead professionals to adopt standardised methods and codes of practice. By establishing standards, professional organisations are able to police the actions of their members, thereby protecting the public from unqualified or disreputable professionals. These standards also improve the perceived quality of associated professionals, and give the public a reassuring sense of coherence within the profession.
Business support system
The support networks that associations create help businesses to survive – and less business failures means less cost to the tax payers and the other businesses that work with them. By connecting people and fostering collaboration, associations are responsible for stimulating economic activity and development. The sharing of knowledge and skills also enables a nation to remain competitive in the global marketplace – something that benefits all of society.
Increasing public awareness
Professional associations undertake marketing campaigns to raise public awareness of the profession and the benefits of working with a qualified professional.
Making the public aware of the profession as a solution, not only assists their professional members, but ensures that more people benefit from the use of the profession.
The associations are a respected point of reference for this information and an easily accessible central source.
A conduit between business and government
Professionals sometimes find themselves at the mercy of their governments. Policies or taxes can suddenly create new burdens and unexpected barriers to successful practise. Associations unite professionals and afford them a degree of political weight that they do not have as individuals. By proactively educating legislators and regulators of the issues affecting members, professional associations can protect and insulate members from bad policy decisions. Associations can also forecast the impact of potential policy changes allowing governments to make well informed decisions.
A Strident, unified voice for members
Professional associations give professionals a single, clear voice that can communicate powerfully with society and other professions.The alternative is thousands of small voices all crying out with different messages – unheard, misunderstood or ignored.
Associating for mutual benefit
It's clear that associations are about much more than business and benefits. Professional associations not only provide essential business support for their members, they provide the critical link between the professionals, public and government. The synergy of this collaboration ensures that each party benefits and as a result the public - the client - gain high quality professional solutions that enrich their lives.