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Membership in a professional association can have a very positive effect on the member individually and professionally. In fact, some professionals belong to more than one association, as each can bring different benefits or professional advantages to a member. Although this section focuses on the largest groups, it is important for students and professionals to find the association that best meets their needs and become involved as much as they can.

A large number of professionals feel that the greatest tangible benefit of professional association membership is the privilege of placing the association appellation after the member's name. It is not the primary benefit; it is only one benefit. Although the tangible benefits are important, sometimes the intangible ones bring the greatest satisfaction and growth to members. Some of the intangible benefits most noted by members are:

 Interaction with colleagues. Friendships with colleagues within the chapter and around the country or the globe are enriching personally and professionally. Chapter meetings also provide interaction and educational benefits.

 Educational opportunities. Professional associations provide continuing education seminars and workshops to assist members in advancing their knowledge in all areas of the profession.

 Enrichment through involvement. Volunteering for a chapter committee or board provides many opportunities for members to contribute personally to the chapter in a very important way.

 Pride in accomplishment. It is important to have a sense of pride in having achieved the educational, experience, and testing milestones indicating that one has reached the highest level in one's profession.

 Recognition. Consumers and allied professionals recognize the dedication and credentials of the interior designer who is affiliated with professional associations. To many others, peer recognition as a member of an association is gratifying.

Members of associations are pleased to discover and take advantage of numerous tangible benefits as well. Many of the most common are outlined in Table 2‐1.

TABLE 2‐1. Tangible member benefits of interior design professional associations

Association leadership. Membership offers an opportunity to be involved in the growth of the profession through officer positions at the chapter and national levels.

Leadership training. Association chapter and national board members and officers receive training to assist them in accomplishing their association responsibilities. Much of this training can be directly applied to an individual's work experience as well.

Chapter participation and networking. By participating in chapter committees and events, members meet colleagues for opportunities for leadership growth, friendships, and collaborative work.

Mailings. Associations provide mailings to members that keep them informed of the associations' activities as well as of external influences on the profession. Mailings might take the form of member magazines, e‐mail newsletters, and conference reports.

Practice aids. A number of associations provide sample contracts, business forms, marketing tools, reference books, and other useful aids for members to use in their practice in order to become better professionals.

Government affairs. The associations maintain contact with federal, state, and/or provincial government agencies that may have an effect on the right to practice. Members are kept informed of any pending legislation that might affect design practice.

Design competitions. Professional prestige can be achieved through juried national and chapter competitions for projects, research, and writing.

Industry liaison. Members receive technical information from industry suppliers.

Continuing education. Members can find out where continuing education sessions are being held throughout the country via their association's Web site.

World Wide Web. Members‐only sections provide a variety of valuable information and resource materials. Chapter Web sites also provide members‐only resources and some provide marketing assistance through chapter site links.

A brief overview of the largest associations follows. Several other groups are listed in Table 2‐2. As many aspects of an organization can change each year, the reader can obtain a great deal of current information about a specific organization including detailed membership requirements by reviewing association Web sites.