Why Join?

2010

Context

In PARN’s International Benchmarking Survey 2009 all professional bodies who participated said that a statutory requirement to be a member would increase membership. In the absence of this compulsion what makes professionals join a professional body? How do they choose which professional body to join and what ‘benefits’ and strategies encourage professionals to become members?

As the debate about what it means to be a professional in the 21st century and how access to the professions might be made ‘fairer’ continues, this research explores the expectations of professionals and the strategies that help professional bodies to position themselves as essential to both professionals and their employers.

Outputs

A final written report, to be produced by December 2010, will include:
• In-depth case studies of successful professional bodies
• An analysis of the different strategies professional bodies use to attract members and an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses
• Examples of interesting and successful practice that demonstrate the mechanisms by which professional body membership becomes ‘required’ in the profession
• Case studies of employers analysing their motivation

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Branches & Groups
Routes to Membership
Routes and Requirements