Top 10 Reasons We Belong to our Professional Association(s)

At the POTA conference last fall, the keynote speaker focused on the distinct value of occupational therapy and how our profession needs to continue to communicate our worth and significance to others – clients, families, policy makers, insurers, and more.  Wow- that’s a huge responsibility for one person.  Can we do more if we work together?   If you are already a member of your professional organization, good for you.  If not, we encourage you to reconsider joining a professional organization.  Maybe that professional association membership is more than just dues and newsletters.

Here are our top 10 reasons that the Etown OT Faculty belong to various professional associations (e.g. AOTA, state associations, other related organizations):

1. Advocacy and policy issues – professional associations are a powerful collective voice.  Who else has time and expertise to monitor ongoing legislative changes and legislative issues that impact OT?
   • If not us, who will do this for us?
   • My association speaks for me as an OT and represents me at the state and national levels.
   • We need to be “at the table” when policies and plans are being formulated.
   • Definitely strength in numbers – strong membership levels increase our profession’s credibility to policymakers and legislators.
2. Professional identity – pride in and commitment to our profession, integrity as a professional
3. Access to professional resources such as peer-reviewed journals and promotional materials
4. Updates in practice trends and legal issues that affect practice
5. Networking – opportunities to meet with other therapists from different regions in the state, country or world as well as with therapists who work in other practice areas/specialty areas.
   • Networking also can lead to collaborative partnerships
6. Hearing different perspectives and voices
7. Opportunities for professional growth – e.g. continuing education, leadership, and service
8. Professional responsibility
9. Supporting the organizations’ mentoring and development opportunities for others, especially students and new graduates – our future.
10. Professional association membership is job insurance for the future!