Why I Opted In to Membership
Discover the Value of Belonging in a Disconnected World
By Roy Harryman
Surveys show our nation of joiners is no more. From civic groups to professional and advocacy organizations, people are hesitant to hit the “join” button.
Younger generations are at the vanguard of this unjoining movement, but will still show up when it seems important. They’ll also contribute financially when the cause seems right. They just (often) don’t want to commit to membership.
I’m a pretty autonomous guy myself, so I get it. But I’m also old enough to have experienced the benefits of going “all in” by joining a professional organization. For me, that’s KC IABC. I’ve been a member (with a one-year hiatus) for at least a dozen years. And most of that time, as a self-employed individual, I’ve paid the whole bill myself (which has been more than $300).
There’s good news on that front: IABC just launched a new membership option called Member Lite. It provides affordable entry to nearly every communications pro, at just $115 annually.
While a lower fee is welcomed by all, it still forces us to ask the question, “Why should I join?”
First, let’s get the nuts and bolts out of the way. Members can register for educational and social events at a discounted rate. And some events are free to members. If you are inclined to participate in international IABC events and activities, you also get a preferred rate.
But those reasons are purely utilitarian. I think there are far more valuable reasons to become a member. Here’s why I’ve joined and maintained my membership.
I want to support the organization. I value the education and connection that KC IABC provides. If nobody pays, then nobody plays.
Connection. As a self-employed communicator, connection with colleagues takes on an elevated importance. They serve as my unofficial co-workers. However, even if you work for a business, I’m sure you’ve found communicators are often isolated. Connecting with colleagues benefits everyone.
I learn from others. Not only in person, but outside of events. KC IABC has been an invaluable resource in connecting me with people who know stuff that I don’t.
Leads. I’ve worked for members of KC IABC and have been referred to opportunities. In addition, membership can be highly beneficial to people who are unemployed or seeking fresh opportunities. The more people who are on your team, the better.
Insights and inspiration. When I was considering starting my own marketing company in 2015, who did I seek out for advice? Friends from KC IABC. They had been there, done that and helped me take the plunge.
Fun. Hanging out with people from KC IABC is truly enjoyable. We talk about work, of course, but more than that.
It’s a career benefit. When I’m pitching myself to a prospect, I often mention that I serve with KC IABC. It demonstrates my commitment to lifelong learning and professional standards.
So if you’re on the fence about joining, step on over. Better yet, join and then start volunteering. That’s where real connections are made.
Roy Harryman serves on the board of KC IABC and owns Roy Harryman Marketing Communications.
𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗯
𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘒𝘊 𝘐𝘈𝘉𝘊 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱
KC IABC is a 100% volunteer-led organization. Behind the scenes, these committed board members make things happen.
𝗥𝗼𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗻 • 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗖/𝗜𝗔𝗕𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱?
I’ve been involved since around 2008. Melanie Deardorff, a former board member, invited me to join the team.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝗯?
I am the owner of Roy Harryman Marketing Communications, an agency serving small businesses and nonprofits.
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆. 𝗪𝗵𝘆/𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱?
Since I am a solopreneur, it’s important for me to learn from and collaborate with other people in marketing communications. KC/IABC has introduced me to talented and kind people across multiple industries who do all sorts of interesting work. I schedule my time for KC/IABC as I would any other client (except I donate my time). I consider it the price of admission to this great community.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗞𝗖/𝗜𝗔𝗕𝗖?
We’re all more successful, connected and happy when we work together in community.
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻?
I considered working on Capitol Hill and did internships in the Missouri House and in Washington, D.C. I enjoyed politics until I actually met politicians, and that ruined it for me.
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲?
Lately, I’ve been referencing this quote from Bruce Barton: “Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.”
