Why you should join as an Association Professional

You talk the talk … Association Forum of Chicagoland can help you walk the walk.

Do you believe in the Power of Association?

Think about it. Does a day go by that you don't in one way or another "sell" others on the value of belonging or donating to your organization? No doubt, that's because you believe in the power of associations. So do we. That's why we think you will want to join Association Forum of Chicagoland ("the Forum")—to put the power of association to work for you.

Whether you plan to spend your entire career working for associations or your current position is just a job for now, we think you will agree that it makes sense to experience association membership from the member's perspective. Simply put—membership in our association will make you better at serving your members or donors.

What's in it for you? We're betting that you work to live, not live to work. Being good at your job is important to you, but so is having balance in your life. That's an enviable goal, but not always easy to achieve. We can help. Consider these key questions—if you answer "yes" to even one of them, then Forum membership makes sense for you in your quest for balance.

Determined to work smarter? With more than 3,700 members from all types and sizes of member- and donor-based organizations in Chicagoland, Forum membership can give you a running start on any project you embark on or problem you need to solve. We have plenty of members who have "been there and done that" and are more than willing to share what they have learned to help you succeed.

Is convenience a consideration? We know that it isn't easy to get away from the office. That's why we offer a number of member benefits designed for the time-pressured professional. The Forum's state-of-the-art Web site www.associationforum.org—keeps you in the loop and, among other things, links you to our renowned job search and placement Web site—www.associationjobs.org. Our award-winning monthly magazine, FORUM , brings you even more, with news targeted specifically to people like you—who work for Chicagoland associations—and features on a multitude of need-to-know topics.

But if you like and have time to attend educational programs that provide practical information and can benefit you personally or your association, the Forum offers you convenient, affordable choices. We even have services to meet the unique needs of association CEOs. And, of course, all of our programs are offered in the Chicagoland area, saving you the time and expense of traveling to other cities.

Seeking solutions? We believe our job is not just telling you what we think you need to know, but helping you find solutions to your everyday challenges. Besides our highly-rated educational programs, we offer you numerous other sources for solutions. Our Forum Information Resource Center, which you are free to peruse at any time, contains an extensive collection of resources on a wide range of topics. We also have developed a series of Professional Practices on topics ranging from Facilitation of Effective Board Decision-Making to Financial Management and the Association Professional. Forum members have found these statements to be valuable resources as they develop policies and practices for their own associations.

Concerned about your association staying competitive in today's tight job market? Well, our annual Salary Survey provides the most extensive and up-to-date salary data for a multitude of Chicagoland association jobs. Only Forum members have access to this useful resource.

Finally, our members themselves are a valuable source of solutions. We even help you find the right people to contact in our annual Membership Directory, which is free to members, and contains an "Ask the Experts" section, which highlights members' areas of expertise. Members can also access "Ask the Experts" on the Web site under "Resources."

Of course, we think there are plenty of other reasons you will want to join. A few more questions to consider…

Looking for a local perspective? Many of our members also belong to other associations for association professionals. If you do, we think that's great—but we still think you are missing out. Why? Well, the value of a local association is just that—it is focused on member needs right here—in your home stomping ground. That means that we bring you information and opportunities that national associations can't offer you—from networking to career opportunities to updates on issues affecting your association because it is based in Chicagoland.

Another reason you may not already belong to the Forum is because others in your association are already members. Sure, they can pass along our publications to you and even point you to our Web site. But someone else's membership means you can't take advantage of many of the other benefits that come with Forum membership—from the professional relationships you will make to the members-only opportunities, such as participation in our shared interest groups. The SIGs are open to all Forum members and meet at convenient Chicagoland locations throughout the year.

Most Chicagoland associations believe that Forum membership is so valuable to their employees that they see dues as an investment in their associations' futures. Your association may be among those that does pay the membership fee—it is worth finding out.

Is lifelong learning a priority? Education is probably a cornerstone of your association. It is for the Forum, too. It bears repeating that our conferences bring you the best-and-brightest in the association field and business world on a wide range of practical topics. As we mentioned earlier, you can also join—at no additional charge—two of our shared interest groups, which typically meet before work or over the lunch hour. SIG meetings offer you the best in informal education through one-on-one interaction with other members who share your interests and face similar challenges.

Can learning be fun? Yes, we believe learning can be fun. Case in point, our renowned Holiday Showcase. This much-anticipated December event draws thousands of members. The point of the gathering is simple—to learn from one another, forge valuable business relationships, and have fun in the process. With a noted luncheon speaker, first-class entertainment, and a trade show filled with great exhibits, it is one of our most popular offerings. The Forum's annual Technology Solutions Day is another of our premier events. This program enables you to learn from the experts and one another, as well as see demos of cutting-edge business technology. These are just two of the many Forum events held each year that can bring you together with other members for rewarding collegial interaction.

Looking for that perfect job? Who isn't? While we can't guarantee that we can find it for you, what we can guarantee you is that the Forum's job search and placement Web site—www.associationjobs.org—has more association job listings nationwide than you will find anywhere else. The job postings are current, diverse, and can be perused confidentially. It is the quickest and easiest way to jump-start your job search. We also offer you personalized career counseling to help ensure you have the "right stuff" to get noticed.

Looking for that perfect employee? Again, who isn't? Well, we can't guarantee that either. But again, www.associationjobs.orgis where you will want to go first. Besides being able to list an open position on the site, you can review résumés that meet your specific criteria. Your confidential search gives you full control over who you choose to contact. In today's tight job market, we make the search easier and, more often than not, more successful. You can also tap into more personalized recruitment assistance with a call to our in-house recruitment advisor.

Want a voice? As you know from experience, some members want to be actively involved in their associations—serving in volunteer roles—and others don't. If you are one of those people who wants to volunteer, the good news is that volunteer positions are not limited to those who have been members for many years. We fill numerous committee assignments each year with new members, as well as long-standing members. In other words, you can have a voice in the future of your association early on in your membership.

On the flip side, if you don't consider yourself a "joiner," and have no desire to serve on a committee, that's fine, too. We have members who limit their involvement to reading our monthly publication, FORUM, visiting our Web site, or calling us when they have specific needs. Still, they tell us that their Forum membership is not a luxury but a necessity to them. In other words—how involved you become in the Forum is entirely your call. The value is there—no matter what.

We also give you a "voice" in another important way—on issues affecting you and your association. We safeguard your job from potentially harmful public policy decisions. With experts in Springfield and strong ties at the national level, the Forum is tuned into the issues that matter most to you and is able to take a highly visible stand.  

Does the company you keep count? You should know that we are not an elitist organization. That being said, we are proud to have some of the leading association professionals in Chicagoland as members. We also have members who have only worked for associations for a year or two. They both count, and they both benefit from their memberships. What counts for us isn't the size of the association you work for, your title, or your years of experience—it's your commitment to excellence and your personal and professional integrity. In other words, we are an association for today's and tomorrow's association leaders—who demonstrate day in and day out that it's how you live, not who you are, that counts.