Make the most of your dues

Northwestern Financial Review, Aug 1, 2001 by Bengtson, Tom

Summer is when many of the banker associations host annual conventions. Most of these conventions are attracting fewer bankers than they did years ago and that's too bad. These meetings present a fantastic opportunity for education and networking. At a time when every dollar counts more than ever, bankers should make the most of their association dues and one way to do that is to attend their association's annual convention.

Of course bankers have to deal with numerous demands on their time, and it is never easy to have two or three people out of the bank at the same time, but it is worth the effort to support your association. Conventions and other meetings give bankers the opportunity to stay up on the latest developments in the industry, learn how the industry's most successful banks are operating, and get a perspective on your business that you won't get from someone in your local community.

At most banker associations, only about 20 percent of the membership is made up of active participants. Many bankers in the remaining 80 percent say they are only members to get the discounted price on some association-sponsored product or service, such as insurance. These members are vastly under-leveraging their memberships. There is so much more they could be getting for their money. Here are suggestions for making the most of your trade association dues:

* Go to the annual convention and other meetings. Actually attend the sessions. (Don't skip out to play golf or go shopping.)

* Volunteer to serve on a committee. This is where you will see the competency of your association's staff Think about issues, and bring ideas to the meetings. You will be surprised how often the committee ends up adopting your ideas.

* Get to know the executive of your association and the staff. Invite them to lunch at your bank or in your community. As you come to understand their areas of expertise and they come to understand your needs, you will find these relationships to be very worthwhile.

* Use association resources. Consider their libraries, legal expertise, web sites and publications to be specifically for you - because they are. Your dues paid for them. If you happen to be in the neighborhood of your association headquarters, use the facility as your "office away from home." Most associations would be happy to offer you a few hours' use of a desk and telephone.

* Encourage your association to do better Take the time to review their budgets, their strategic plan, their priorities and resolutions. With this knowledge, identify weak spots and suggest improvements to leadership. And think outside the box. Don't be afraid to suggest ideas that have never been tried.

An association is only as good as the people in the industry it represents. If bankers build great associations, those associations will help bankers reach new levels of success. .