I have a question regarding joining professional business associations. I have pursued a couple of local chapters of women's business organizations and they seem very good and trustworthy. Their dues is also about $50/year.

However, I was solicited by a national organization for a free membership through the mail. I really wasn't paying attention and just thought it was from one of the local chapters that I had contact about joining. So I mailed in the card. About two weeks later I got a call from a very nice lady who wanted to "interview" me to see if I qualified. My first thought was "how nice, they really work hard at screening their members." Then after a 15 minute interview about how wonderful this organization is and how I will be featured in their newsletter, she asks which membership I'm interested in Premier or Elite? I had to ASK what that meant. Then I had to ASK how much it cost! It was more than $400. This was NEVER mentioned before.

Am I just cheap... is this normal? And if it's normal, why weren't they just up front about it! Even their website NEVER mentions ANYTHING about the cost. I understand that at some point in my career this kind of cost will be reasonable and the things they offer would be valuable, but being strung along really upset me!

I'd love to hear about some local or national associations others have experienced and what you find are the biggest advantages.

Marcia
VentureVA

Hi Marcia,

I had a similar experience with an association but I joined the free version after they the lady hit me with the big dollar amount. It is a great organziation with some very useful information but just let them know your a start-up on a budget.

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Monique Terrell, CEO
Sparkle Professional Office Services, LLC
www.sparkleofficeservices.com

I joined a couple of groups that were really expensive and found them to be a complete waste of money. You're not being cheap, I'd be cautious too. I've learned the hard way.

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Julia

Careful with that money. Only join groups you have researched and if possible tried out first. I have tried to do that and still I have ended up joining one group that isn't really a good fit for me and my business. Sometimes it takes a few events/visits to know how its going to really be and then there are the online groups...check and double check for the true value.

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Cheryl Richey
Carte Blanche Assistance, LLC
Virtual Assistance...Creating Time for You!

I had to decide on this. My approach was to go to certain local networking events and see how the organization would be a benefit to my business. My criteria was, if I got a client from it I would join. Usually the client would pay the price of membership. I did this for one organization and am not the Communications Director. It just happened.. getting great contacts and great exposure for my business. You can shell out a boatload in membership fees if you aren't careful so really evaluate the benefits that the membership could potentially bring you.

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

I'm a firm believer in the word 'free' unless the organization can show me real benefits. I am a member of AIPB (American Institutute of Professional Bookkeepers) and IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals). Both organizations offer a certification that I consider to be valuable for me personally. I am a CPS (Certified Professional Secretary) through IAAP and am working on my CB (Certified Bookkeeper) through AIPB.

In addition, I received a 20% discount on my E&O insurance through AIPB, which more than covered my membership cost.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I think that's what got me with this organization... it's national and there are NO in person events (I know, we live in a virtual world!) so there is no way to "try it out first." And the "free" part was never mentioned the entire 20 minutes I talked with her.

I think I'll stick with the local organizations!

I am also a member of IAAP and hold the CPS & CAP certifications. There are several levels you can join at, At-large [no local membership] traditional [with district and local membership] and associate [for business membership]. Certification isn't required to join and serve leadership positions.

Complete your due dilligence before joining anything. Technology today makes it very eay to throw together a 'professional' web page, business/ID cards, 'multi-line' phone [think RingCentral], and yet you are dealing with nothing more than a gimick. Find others who belong and learn how it benefits them.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

The fee you mention is quite normal for many associations but it depends on what they have to offer to their members and what benefits there are. I live in Australia and some organisations I belong to have memberships of between $125 - $200 and others are in excess of $330.

The key thing is to set yourself budgets and goals, also plan your timing. Don't join everything but plan to try one or two and see how they go for 12 months. If they don't work out then try others till you find some that work for you.

I belong to AIOP (Australian Institute of Office Professionals) and have been a member since 1989 - I joined when in the corporate world and their membership has always been beneficial and in fact, it was them that led me down the path I'm on today. I've been in several committee positions with them and was even State President at one stage (great for exposure). I currently belong to National Speakers Association of Australia (great resource of potential clients) and a couple of other local groups. The rest of the groups I belong to are online, some free, some paid, but all have things I get out of them.