Associations: What’s in it for Me? 

By Ryan Arch 

“What’s in it for me?” It’s a fair question, isn’t it? And I can tell you as an executive director of an Association for 9 years, it’s also a question I get fairly often. While the short answer is “more than you can imagine,” I’ll do my best to share the details that have likely never been properly communicated to you. That is, unless you are already “guilty by association” with one or more organizations, in which case I hope this article reminds you of all the opportunities afforded to you just for belonging to an Association; not just the ones that you are already taking advantage of.

First, when referencing “Associations,” I am speaking on behalf of any and all Associations, which are defined as groups of people organized for a joint purpose, common interest, shared goal, etc. They come in many different shapes and sizes with various leadership, membership, and tax structures. The same can be said for the array of common interests that these Associations are formed to support. The running joke in the industry is that there are Associations for everything. Literally, just Google “weird associations you didn’t know existed” for starters; the results may or may not surprise you.

So, “what’s in it for me?” Or more broadly, why does anyone do anything? People’s choices and behaviors are motivated by some sort of reward. We go to the gym because it makes us feel good, makes us look good, or makes us healthier. We go to work every day because we are passionate about what we do, we are helping others, or we are making money to buy things we want. The take-home here is that what makes you tick is actually based on your own personal rewards system; things you find of value as a result of your actions. Otherwise, let’s be honest, if you didn’t find value in what you were doing, you wouldn’t do it. It’s that simple.

Now then, back to the question. There is a tremendous amount of value for you within an Association, but also don’t forget that the world does not revolve around you (…let the hate mail start pouring in). Seriously though, don’t forget that Associations are formed to connect people with common interests or goals for information sharing, teaching, learning, practicing, leveraging a collective voice, etc. As a member of an Association, one of the most significant benefits for certain folks is the impact that they can make within their industry or their area of focus simply by being a part of that group with similar interests and goals; think strength in numbers here and the impacts this has locally, regionally, and nationally or internationally depending on the Association. Inherent within these collective efforts of a group with targeted interests also follows industry recognition. Individually, this could come in the form of being identified as a trusted or qualified person or company within your craft, bringing you more business or further connecting you within your industry simply as a result of your affiliation with that organization. Most Associations are recognized as leaders and experts within their industry, craft, or area of focus. They belong to and partner closely with other diverse organizations and groups where they are top of mind when discussions around the table turn to their area of expertise, further expanding the reach of the Association’s network and thereby its opportunities for members. Do you know one of the top ranked benefits of belonging to an Association as identified by members? Believe it or not, it’s the networking. It’s bumping elbows with like-minded and like- valued individuals and companies. It’s learning from each other in hallways between education sessions. It’s knowing you have a resource (or hundreds to thousands depending on the size of the Association’s membership) to call upon with a question for local, national, or international input. It’s making lifelong friendships in your area or across this great nation (again, depending on the Association’s size). 

Being a millennial and recognizing my fellow Gen Y’ers are now the largest demographic in the workforce today, one could argue that some of you reading this already have all these connections via Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or whatever number of social media platforms to which you belong. However, I can personally vouch for my social network of friends online and tell you that 99% don’t know squat about the shared interests I value within the Associations to which I belong, let alone would they answer or return my phone call in a timely manner with regard to these topics when compared to my fellow Association members (sorry friends, love you for other reasons!). Again, Associations center around joint interests. It’s the connections they afford you as a member that allow to hone your craft, impart your knowledge and expertise upon others, diversify  and develop your own skill sets, advance a shared mission, and give back to that common interest, whatever it may be, that you are so passionate about.

Surprised that you’re into the sixth paragraph and still haven’t heard anything about the economic value of belonging to an Association? Well, thanks for sticking around! The financial gain (remember that rewards system) of joining most Associations can be extremely significant. Getting back to that strength in numbers, nearly all Associations provide several discounts and cost savings to their memberships through various programs and product offerings. For example, an Association comprised of small business owners may offer discounts on accounting software, credit card processing, website development/hosting fees, etc. While a trades Association may offer discount programs on equipment and equipment rental, construction supplies, tires, oil, etc. In my experience, I’ve seen certain Association discount programs offered that have saved individual members thousands of dollars in one year. To be clear, I am speaking about the savings from individual programs, not multiple, utilized by members one single time! These types of benefits can be capable of funding annual membership dues for years, and, when stacked on top of other programs and product discounts, save members significant money on an annual basis. Great for you, right? Right, but good for the cause or shared interest of your Association, too. You see, the membership dues that you pay to join these types of organizations fund the efforts of the organization, which was formed solely around and for the promotion of its common interests and goals; in other words, it builds upon itself. For example, a trades Association that attends job fairs at local schools or provides a scholarship to students entering a trade promotes general awareness of its industry to the next generation and helps foster a future workforce. Realizing the bulk of Associations’ budgets are comprised of membership dues, this example doesn’t exist without its members, and there are countless other examples you could reference here.

You know, your mom was right highlighting the power of “guilty by association” to you at a young age (don’t act like you didn’t have those friends too!). It is as powerful an effect in the negative sense as it is in the positive sense. Belonging to a group with shared values and interests in the name of furthering those interests and each other to make a difference in the cause you are passionate about, to make a difference in your life, and to make a difference in the lives of others tends to be life altering; in a good way, not the way your mom was referencing. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? But that IS what’s in it for you! Though, it’s not just about you. It’s actually about the effect that a lot of “yous” can have together within an Association that furthers you all individually and your joint interests.

Ryan Arch serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (ILICA), a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to the professional conservation of soil and water resources. Arch also serves as chairman of National LICA’s Executive Directors’ Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for Illinois Society of Association Executives (ISAE), a chapter of Association Forum, to promote excellence and advance leadership in the Illinois association community.

Ryan also worked as a resource conservationist for the Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District. “I do miss playing an active, day-to-day role of getting conservation on the landscape locally,” he said. “I’d had some EJAA and conservation planner training . . . so we were pushing designs out, doing CRP renewals, doing classroom trainings for kids, and more. A pretty active county.”