United we stand. Divided we fall was a song by the Brotherhood of Man in 1969. The message can be applied to any group of people. Particularly an industry group such as financial planners.
“Why should you consider joining an association?”.
I have seen and heard the exasperation and loneliness of being in your profession frequently.
Being part of an association is a very tangible way of belonging to a group that represents your interests, aspirations and concerns. Not the interests of political parties, insensitive bureaucrats, autocratic advisory bodies appointed and funded by governments, compliance regimes or product manufacturers, but YOU.
As a representative national body your organisation can listen to your concerns, hopes and fears. And can take positive action, apply pressure or seek dialogue or input with those who make public policy. They can present an opinion or position complimentary to your required outcomes.
There is also the benefit of actually belonging to an association that can achieve outcomes that an individual would find very difficult to achieve.
Look at the success the AMA achieves or the group representing mortgage brokers are able to exert on policy makers. Powerful?
The collective experience that belonging to an association brings friendships, resources and access to experience and expertise way beyond PD days, conferences and long lunches (long may they live!)
It is also a far better way to communicate your wishes and requirements through an association to product manufacturers, government agencies or overzealous AFSL’s.
In recent times associations have become smarter, better organised and laser sharp on what their members want. In the recent federal election, Tim Wilson, was re-elected with the support of the AIOFP. Yet April Hamer’s advisers chose not to engage with the AIOFP and missed out on winning one of those inner Melbourne seats by a few precious votes.
It is not what you know, but who you know that influences outcomes and public opinion. Associations can gain access to bureaucrats, politicians (of all persuasions) and policy makers. This makes them accountable to specific issues for advisers, because they are properly briefed.
Associations can have access to business opportunities, industry experts, legal opinions & valuable affiliation’s not available to individuals.
Access to CPD points for various courses and conventions can be part of your membership benefits. These conferences generally have an array of interesting and influential speaker well worth your time.
The next AIOFP conference will be on August 19-22 on the Gold Coast. News on speakers and registration will be in our next newsletter.
Having access to national communications and input on contentious and important topics are the responsibility of an association to engage in for its members. This can help in developing policy for your profession from an individual to a national perspective.
Having direct connections to experienced national lobbying partners is an integral part of any member centric association. The power of their connectivity and direct access to government bureaucrats, other lobby groups and politicians of all persuasions is vitally important in their workload on your behalf.