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07.08
Are You
Getting All You Can from Organization
Memberships?
By Sherri Edwards
There are many reasons for
attending industry-related meetings and joining
organizations, like the IEEE, or community
groups. Participation in organized groups allows
us to learn from the experiences of others,
continue our education through participation in
seminars or workshops, and keep abreast of
developments or trends in our industry.
Participating in a community group often offers
similar benefits, as well as the satisfaction of
giving back to the community.
One key reason for getting
involved with organizations or community groups
is for the networking opportunities they
provide. Participation provides opportunities to
be recognized in your field and noted for your
skills, or it may provide the opportunity to get
connected with different companies’
decision-makers. An additional benefit of
participation is the potential for learning and
expanding your skill sets. Improvement in
written and oral communication skills,
negotiation, collaboration, leadership,
assertiveness, conflict resolution and problem
solving are likely outcomes from participation
in team-oriented projects — in addition to new
relationships, new networks and the education
you will gain through membership.
Perhaps one of the most
beneficial rewards of participation is that it
allows us to improve our skills as
communicators. We learn to work with diverse
cultures, ages, interests and learning styles.
Learning to function successfully as part of a
team is another significant benefit. As the
membership in an organization changes, or as the
members on a board of directors change, the
organization needs to become more flexible and
open to new ideas. Just as the workplace becomes
more and more reliant on an individual's ability
to adapt to change and the ability to perform
advanced problem-solving skills, functioning as
part of any organized group allows us to test or
improve all of our skills. By failing to become
more than superficially involved with a group's
activities, we cheat ourselves of some of the
most valuable benefits of membership.
Unfortunately, many individuals
may be afraid of commitment, believe they do not
have enough time, are afraid of being
uncomfortable in a new environment, or are
simply unaware of the full benefit of
participation. Many individuals may discontinue
their participation when they begin a new job,
or do not plan for and create the time in their
schedule while working. Unfortunately, many of
those same people feel that they are on their
own and disconnected from others when they find
themselves in a changing employment situation.
Contributing articles of
interest for a newsletter, speaking on a topic
of interest, maintaining a Web site,
participating on a board of directors or on
committees for special projects, volunteering to
assist with meeting coordination or fundraising
are all ways of becoming more involved that can
produce substantial personal rewards and
satisfaction.
For the small investment of a
few additional hours each month, it is possible
to maintain a network for support (should your
employment or other circumstances change), build
on your existing skills, learn new skills, get
connected with new people and become visible in
your profession and community. Aren't you worth
it?
Sherri Edwards' background
includes 20 years of management, consulting and
training for service driven companies and
organizations. She has offered coaching for
individuals pursuing a career change, by design
or through downsizing, merger, or returning from
an extended absence from the workplace for over
ten years. Her clients learn how to identify
their workplace demand and value, and how to
market themselves effectively to obtain the type
of work that fuels their passions and allows
them to live their dreams. You can reach Sherri
through her web site: ResourceMaximizer [www.resourcemaximizer.com],
or e-mail her at
sherri@resourcemaximizer.com.
Opinions expressed are the
author's.
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