Association Benefits | RPMGonline
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization looking to further a specific profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest. Trade associations are very similar but are, as named, for trades such as plumbers, electricians, mechanical engineering, etc.
The positions of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or oversight of the legitimate practice of the occupation;” also a body acting "to safeguard the public interest;" organizations which "represent the interest of the professional practitioners," and so "act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body."
In general, these non-profit bodies strive to find a balance between these two often conflicting obligations. Though professional bodies often act to protect the public by maintaining and enforcing standards of training and ethics in their profession, they often also act like a cartel or a labor union (trade union) for the members of the profession, though this description is commonly rejected by the body concerned.
Therefore, in certain dispute situations the balance between these two aims may tip more in favor of protecting and defending the professionals than in protecting the public.
Many professional bodies are involved in the development and monitoring of professional educational programs, and the updating of skills, and thus perform professional certification to indicate that a person possesses qualifications in the subject area. Sometimes membership of a professional body is synonymous with certification, though not always. Membership of a professional body, as a legal requirement, can in some professions form the primary formal basis for gaining entry to and setting up practice within the profession.
Professional associations can also provide certain benefits to its members, many times based on the member paying “dues” or membership fees. Such benefits may include access to third party services such as insurance, health benefits and other expert advice not usually available to non-members. For example, a member of an association, both professional and trade, may have the opportunity to purchase online marketing tools designed to enhance their presence on key search engines such as Google and Bing.
The associations themselves can also receive benefits from third party services that can aid in gaining and retaining membership, as well as raise revenue. For this type of association benefits, RPMGonline is a key player. They also build online member directories that will enhance the online presence of the association as well as that of the individual members.
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization looking to further a specific profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest. Trade associations are very similar but are, as named, for trades such as plumbers, electricians, mechanical engineering, etc.
The positions of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or oversight of the legitimate practice of the occupation;” also a body acting "to safeguard the public interest;" organizations which "represent the interest of the professional practitioners," and so "act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body."
In general, these non-profit bodies strive to find a balance between these two often conflicting obligations. Though professional bodies often act to protect the public by maintaining and enforcing standards of training and ethics in their profession, they often also act like a cartel or a labor union (trade union) for the members of the profession, though this description is commonly rejected by the body concerned.
Therefore, in certain dispute situations the balance between these two aims may tip more in favor of protecting and defending the professionals than in protecting the public.
Many professional bodies are involved in the development and monitoring of professional educational programs, and the updating of skills, and thus perform professional certification to indicate that a person possesses qualifications in the subject area. Sometimes membership of a professional body is synonymous with certification, though not always. Membership of a professional body, as a legal requirement, can in some professions form the primary formal basis for gaining entry to and setting up practice within the profession.
Professional associations can also provide certain benefits to its members, many times based on the member paying “dues” or membership fees. Such benefits may include access to third party services such as insurance, health benefits and other expert advice not usually available to non-members. For example, a member of an association, both professional and trade, may have the opportunity to purchase online marketing tools designed to enhance their presence on key search engines such as Google and Bing.
The associations themselves can also receive benefits from third party services that can aid in gaining and retaining membership, as well as raise revenue. For this type of association benefits, RPMGonline is a key player. They also build online member directories that will enhance the online presence of the association as well as that of the individual members.