Are you a member of a professional body?

[adi_cmi]

If so, it'd be interesting to know which, and indeed what kind of value you feel you get from being a member, what kind of things you'd like to see but don't at the moment etc.

[PointandStare]

Personally I am chairman of BRX Islington (http://brxislington.co.uk) but as a company we belong to FSB (http://www.fsb.org.uk) and are consultants for Business Link (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk).

[adi_cmi]

Thanks. So are you mostly looking for networking?

[ginantonic]

I was a "free for the 1st year" Chamber of Commerce member, but didn't renew it at £300+. Didn't see any benefits whatsoever, didn't get any work from it, and couldn't afford the networking events at £40 a time....

[Minuteman Press]

Chartered Institute of Marketing, Royal Geographical Society.

[Silky]

I was a member of the CIM for a while and also some travel related organisations. Have renewed neither - if I'm honest I've found much more support / assistance online.

Silky

[ginantonic]

if I'm honest I've found much more support / assistance online.
Silky
Totally agree Silky - I have found more help and advice on here than anywhere.

[Minuteman Press]

Yes, I agree also - I have been lazy in continuing my CIM membership. They add minimal value (unless you live in Cookham).

One idea I have for a product exclusive to members is a CIM mug. It will have printed 'Chartered Institute of Marketing MUG' with a reflective rectangle so the member can view his / her own image and reflect on the money donated in membership.

I'm full of gr8 (great) ideas.

Peter

[PaddyPawsPetServices]

Nope

I considered being a member of a organisation which is for pet service people. However, what they offered in return for nearly £400 ( for a small business, is a lot of cash ) was rubbish. There are a few here which are registered with them, and tbh, never heard of them.

I have a fair few contacts who do similar businesses, if I need any practical advice, and I have my mentor...save my £400 thank you very much

I am registered with the council ( as I dont provide home boarding I dont actually need to ) and I have animal custody and control insurance

[office man]

It's a good idea to look for the foremost authority in your industry and join whatever scheme they offer - customers will look for this.

[adi_cmi]

To be open about things, I work for the Chartered Management Institute and I'm going to be looking after the new website we're building. It's interesting to read that most members (of the CIM at least) feel that you're not getting value for money.

What kind of things would you like to get to help provide that value for money?

[dare]

British Computer Society (http://www.bcs.org):cool:

[davidakerr]

There is no rofessional body for the work I do (at least I don't think so), so when the opportunity came to look at various other "Member" organisations I plumped for the FSB. Never regretted it. The advise and legal information I have been given, so far has been first class, and for an annual subscription of just over £100 makes it affordable for a small, self employed individual. I now receive FREE Banking; Merchant Services (cheapest by a mile); Discounted Liability Insurance; Excellent Financial Services advice; Free installation of telephone line and cheaper calls.............all in all I've saved more than my membership subscription.

[adi_cmi]

Sounds like you're a happy customer there David. Thanks for the feedback.

[Peter K]

In my industry a growing number of energy surveyors became disalusioned with the professional bodies that were already in existence as we felt that they were fairly ineffective. The result was that we recently created our own. w w w . pro dea . org . uk

Its primary focus is to develop common standards within this new industry of energy surveying, an industry that is curently poorley regulated so the service you recive and the accuracy of the surveys varies grately.

Its looking to develop strong regional links with business on all levels, not just those we want as customers but those who we reley on for to provide our own services.

We would like to offer our members the opportunity to network with local business who would be prepared to offer our membership products and services at a discounted rate.

There would also be the opportunity for cheap advertising and free web links to those who were prepared to come on board.

If thats caught your interest have a look at the site w w w . pro dea . org .uk and get in contact.

[Cornish Steve]

I belong to a few, although I'm not sure there are equivalents to these in Britain.

1) Phi Kappa Phi is an honour society for students who graduate in the top few percent. I was offered this one after completing my MBA. It looks good on a CV, and I did get an article published in their magazine. I'm able to reach out, with some credibility, to other members.

2) Beta Gamma Sigma is another honour society, this time for top graduates from business school. The local chapter organises monthly meetings led by a top business leader. They've had some really good people talk, and it was a privilege to meet them, plus I've made some good contacts by networking. Again, this one looks good on a CV.

3) Technology Association of Atlanta. For networking, this one is extraordinarily good. They have about 20 sub-topics - HR, technology, venture capital, etc. - so I could attend a meeting almost every day if I wanted to. They organised the startup competition we entered last year, and they hold several events designed at pulling together entrepreneurs and financiers. They also hold professional training sessions on a variety of topics. The opportunities for networking are really excellent, and I've made some very relevant contacts.

People have mentioned annual membership fees of the order of £100 or £300. That's very high. The two honour societies are about £25 (although I'm a lifetime member of one of them). Even TAG is only £150, and they offer a tremendous amount in return.

[Beadons]

I am really proud to be an Associate Member of the Association of British Investigators.

Not an easy organisation to join, but get most of my work via their website so has been worthwhile. They are also really pushing to get Private Investigators licensed, as at present anyone can call themselves a PI.

Don't know if it counts but also a member of NARPO - National Association of Retired Police Officers. Could be an advantage, but then again not everyone has had a good experience of the police:rolleyes: