The short answer is – get involved. Many people join a professional association so it looks good on their resume. Doing only this can result in a lot of missed opportunities! Start by:

• Attending relevant association professional development sessions.
• Searching the membership directory to find professionals with whom you have a shared interest and invite them to connect on LinkedIn (or to have a phone conversation or to meet for coffee).
• Participating in the organization’s LinkedIn discussion groups.

Once you are established, consider:

• Volunteering for committees.
• Presenting at conferences.
• Running for the Board.

While this may seem time consuming, the pay off is often well worth it.

For specific tips on fully leveraging your membership fee, check out the Making the Most of your Professional Association resource.