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Why should we join?
For some industries, particularly professional organizations, membership is required before one can operate e.g., a medical doctor must have board membership - which requires that his credentials be screened before he is allowed to treat the general public. Here membership is a requirement of doing business. Voluntary membership need only satisfy two main questions: How will I benefit? How will my industry benefit?

What are the short-term benefits?
A typical immediate benefit is in increased bargaining power. Purchasing through a single body enables volume discounts, which can be passed onto members. A monthly membership fee might offset this benefit, so it must therefore be looked at as part of the formula, not the whole reason. Training is typically available to members, through audio or videotapes, teaching the basics of the industry, thereby shortening the training process and freeing managers to rather "fine-tune" the process. Seminars are also an essential means of passing on new ideas and re-vamping old ones.

What are the long-term benefits?
One of the long-term benefits is the benefit of a consolidated lobbying power in a country such as the United States cannot be understated. The "special interest" groups DO sway the decision-makers and it is important to have someone within the member organization that focuses on any negative legislature coming from the policy makers and effectively counter-acts of blocks it in the interests of the members. For the recycling industry, for example, new car manufacturers are negatively impacted by the ready availability of recycled parts, and it would be in their interests to pass legislature limiting the supply and sale of recycled parts.

What is the "out" clause?
When signing up with any group, find out what the "out clause" is. Some organizations have different "levels" of membership and leaving is so heavily controlled by the membership so as to preclude someone to continue operating in that industry once they leave. Such operation is technically illegal, but still does occur. "Closing the stable door after the horse has gone" simply means adequate screening should have prevented opening the door in the first place.

How is the membership managed?
A membership body is only as effective as the elected leaders who run it. A simple guide is an examination as to how they run their own businesses. If successful, it is a likely indication of the success of the group and therefore some benefit of membership.

Will my membership "expose" me and increase my risk?
Membership of certain bodies will not improve or enhance your business. Affiliation with a poorly perceived political party, for instance, will do your business no good. A simple check is to ask yourself the question "If my name were to be plastered upon the front page of the newspaper connected with this organization, what would the impact on my business be?" Your answer should help you decide!

Networking
Every person you meet knows at least 48 other people. You might through a membership establish a strategic partnership, changing the shape of your business – and income – radically. Staying in your comfort zone of your office will never achieve this.

Competition
The Japanese know the value of competition, as new technology is discovered, the first thing they do is they put it to use. The second thing they do is to sell the new technology to the competition. The developers know they have to keep developing to retain the edge over their competitors. Can you remember when the last TV was manufactured in the United States? A famous South African surfer got to the point when he was no longer competitive and so did the next best thing – made surf-boards bearing his name. The second thing he did was to put his brother into business by open up a second shop, run by his brother, making - you guessed it – surf-boards bearing his name. The press was amazed, and asked him why he would create a situation that would drive down the price of his surf-boards and take away part of his business? His reply: "I need the competition".

What have I got to lose?
Entrepreneurs are by their very nature risk takers. Membership of a newer organization is a risk as there is no track record or surety. Income is proportional to risk. Set up a time frame by which time you expect to see some benefit. When the time frame is up, re-evaluate the situation and come to one of three conclusions:
1) Time to get out, the benefits either past, present or future do not seem apparent.
2) The need to allocate more time to the membership to see if it can provide benefit,
3) You have achieved what you personally expected, or the industry is strengthened by the organization thus justifying your on-going support.

Action advocated:
There are three kinds of people, those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wondered what happened. Any organization has need for volunteers so our challenge to you is – join URG, ASA and your state association and GET INVOLVED.

Brent W. Stephens is a project manager with a Masters Degree in Social Sciences. He worked for George S. May International Company and International Profit Associates, Inc. prior to opening his own management consulting company, CE Corporation in 1996, incorporating as Consulting Expertise Corporation in 1999. When the business was closed in 2001 due to personal circumstances, close to 80% of their client base were auto recycling facilities. He was a freelance contributor to the Premium Parts magazine.