Some organizations are essential to join, for various professional protections. For example, part of my role is as a licensed Real Estate Broker, and I virtually HAVE to join the local Real Estate Association. If I have a problem with another Broker or Agent, the only way to take action against them to solve disputes is through the Association. It is essentially a legal matter, but is more like legal insurance.

In other instances, even though you don't actively participate, do you get information about your profession that allows you to keep up with new legislation and trends in the market? Would you have access to that information elsewhere, without belonging to an expensive organization?

Finally, is there any way that you get leads for further business from them? Or, if you are not in a given organization, will your clients think less of you - or does that not really matter to them?

I have cut down on my own associtations. But I have not cut them out. I have tried to use the criterion listd above, in order to make decisions on which to keep, and which to cut loose.

The organization I feel blackmailed to be a member of really does not meet my needs, but as you say, I feel compelled to be a member.

How are you blackmailed? I would think "coerced" might be the more appropriate term, unless they have pictures of you in a compromised posture??!??

But my experience is that some organizations are supposed to be assets to your business or your profession. But many times, they become ends unto themselves, to some members that begin to look upon the organization with some sort of religious zeal.

Again, the big thing is: What is this organization going to do for me and my business? Maybe it comes down to dollars and cents. If I pay $X per year, do I get that much back in terms of business, discounts, etc.? If not, dump them. Just make certain you look at the long term return, and not just this week. Will you lose out on income or long term benefits, next year, if you don't pay the dues this month? Again, I have dropped a lot of such organizations, on just the same kind of analysis. It ain't always black and white, I know.

Hi AnnLane1,

In my opinion the answer is simple. If you do not have to join this network as a term of your business, and you say yourself that you aren't getting anything out of it, (except a debt) the answer is clear....NO, you do NOT have to re join!!

I'm assumeing that you own your own business, and with that said, YOU are the boss. It seems like you already "know" the answer to this question....are you looking for "permission" from the rest of us??

I'm not trying to come across nasty, and am sure that you could read this that way. I just want to give you the right to stand up and be the CEO of your biz and "just say no"!!

Believe me, you'll find something else to occupy your time, and spend your efforts as well as your money on that WILL give you the results that you are after........

believe in your DREAM,
Pat aka Candle Lady
view link looking for basic information on a fun home business, I'll be glad to send you some!