Others do not join, or if they coerced to join, do not participate because they believe associations have little to offer. These attitudes are not attitudes of successful business people. Successful business people derive maximum use of their memberships. Joining and not participating in association activities is passing up opportunities to be better at one's business. It is tantamount to leaving one's inventory sitting idle on the back shelf.
Idle money does no one any good.
A business should join only those professional and trade associations that offer activities in which someone from the business will participate. There are four benefits professional and trade associations offer. Availing oneself of these benefits helps get maximum value for the dollar. The first benefit is at the local level. An association acts as a forum to bring people together.