Association memberships are a vital part of my social life. I belong to the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association , Florida Association of Non-Profits , and several large Chambers of Commerce, which speaks to my different interests both personally and professionally.
Beyond making acquaintances and friendships, associations serve many purposes such as:. The list is almost endless of the personal benefits of being a part of an association.
From a broader perspective, associations create jobs in every state. Categories Follow Us Subscribe. For me, there are three major reasons that associations hold value. They are: Networking Standardization Personal and Professional Development Let's take a look at each of these in greater detail. Associations Provide Opportunities to Meet and Engage with Peers and Colleagues To me, this is the most important benefit associations can provide.
Associations Promote Standardization and Best Practices So what else can you do with a bunch of like-minded people who share similar issues and opportunities? Curation: There's a lot of information out there about your business issues and challenges, and trends in your industry, and how [insert new buzzword here] will radically restructure business as we know it.
But how do you know which has value? Associations are, in some ways, uniquely positioned to separate the wheat of meaningful information from the chaff of buzzwords and press releases. That's because they are comprised of individuals who work with these tools and processes every day and have gained some insight as to which work and which don't.
Conduct Research: Associations, and their communities, will often conduct research to identify and explain trends, benchmark existing practices, and identify gaps.
And their research generally offers an independent perspective because, even when research is sponsored, it's often sponsored by multiple solution providers who see it as in their best interest to play it down the middle. Provide Guidance and Training on Best Practices: Research can help to identify gaps, but associations also address those gaps. Sometimes this is in the form of training to help individual practitioners acquire the skills they need to guide their organizations.
Sometimes it results in the development of standards, best practices, guidelines, and checklists that take a more prescriptive approach. Often associations facilitate the development of whitepapers, infographics, and other assets that help explain issues, gaps, and solutions to different audiences.
Connecting with colleagues across the country has enabled me to gain new insights on contemporary solutions to practice challenges. Having a ringside seat to the deliberations of association leaders as they address complex issues has allowed me to articulate the rationale for the decisions made and collaborate more effectively in developing solutions for the future. Joining a professional association provides you with a built-in opportunity for professional growth.
Associations are always looking for new members. While opportunities for leadership and advancement may be limited in some workplaces, setting your sights on leadership opportunities in an association can provide you with valuable experiences as you seek to advance your own career and prepare for new roles within your workplace.
It can boost your confidence in taking risks as you assume more responsibility. Some payment industry, auto dealer and retail associations that may be of interest to you include:. Of course, this is only a partial list; there are local and national associations in virtually every industry which actively welcome new members.
CrossCheck , a nationwide leader in the check guarantee industry, is an active member with preferred vendor status in numerous industry associations. To learn more about our professional associations, please visit our Industry Affiliations page. Why CrossCheck? Testimonials Events Press Releases Careers. CrossCheck Blog. Some payment industry, auto dealer and retail associations that may be of interest to you include: The National Home Furnishings Association Western Home Furnishings Association National Automobile Dealers Association Electronic Transactions Association The National Hardwood Lumber Association Of course, this is only a partial list; there are local and national associations in virtually every industry which actively welcome new members.
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