I'm an active member of four associations professionally, and several others personally. I'm actually considering membership in another, and recently contacted them on a business matter. The service, to say the least, was lacklustre and had been on the few occasions we had interacted in the past. I don't blame the individual with whom I was dealing, although I don't condone bad manners. I blame the management who haven't engendered an institutional philosophy of service - be it the volunteer board or their only employee - the Executive Director through whom all other employees are hired, and keep their jobs.
These are the people who speak for us as a group. They lobby politicians and influence votes on laws that affect our industry - your industry, whatever it is, if you are a member of a professional association. When the press needs a comment on something that affects your industry, the executive director of your association will likely be first person approached.
If the hired professionals, be they many or be they few, can't provide a level of courtesy that reflects that of your organization, maybe it's time to rethink membership.
Or get on the board and change things.
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