It's June! Join the club!

June is JOIN THE CLUB month.  Summer is an ideal time to explore new social, business, and charity affiliations. This time of year, there are more networking events, social activities and after-five gatherings than at any other time.  It's time to get out there and get connected!

Social media -- LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter -- are good sources of information about groups that might be of interest.  Also, good old-fashioned word-of-mouth, could direct you to an like-minded partnership.  Before you join, sign up for their newsletters and announcements.  This will keep you abreast of activities, meetings, and other opportunities.   Attend a couple of meetings before paying those membership fees, also; get a feel for what you’re getting, before you make a financial investment.

Once you’ve identified a group you would like to explore, think about getting deeply involved.  There’s only so much you can gain when you limit yourself to showing up, hearing a speaker, and leaving.  Get engaged by joining a committee; this will expose you to deeper interactions with members.  Committee involvement also gives you a chance to learn how a group functions and what it values.  If you’re looking for a less daunting commitment, consider volunteering to host/sponsor an event or offer to help with meeting administration. 

Many organizations also have special interest groups which appeal to those who are find larger crowds too impersonal.  A special interest group (SIG) is a subset of a larger group that is divided by geography, special preference or affinity.   For example, if you live in Murfreesboro, a Rutherford County SIG could be right for you. CEOs, may want to look for Executives SIGs to connect with other high-ranking officials.  Similar networks exist within any companies these days. Like SIGs, corporate affinity groups appeal to those with particular interests or commonalities.  Many large businesses have groups geared toward veterans, the LGBTQ community, ethnic groups, and generational alliances. 

If you are already a member of an organization or two, now’s the time to assess its value.   Are you getting what you expect from it?  Does involvement in the group continue to be worth your time, energy and money?  My peer-coach advises me that any business arrangement should have at least two benefits.  For example, it might provide access to cutting-edge information and a platform to promote products.  Or, it could offer continuing education credits, and mentoring.  Whatever the benefits; there should be more than one.  Whether you’re looking to serve, network, build relationships, grow your business, or make career moves, a little research can connect you with a group that is a good fit for you.  Happy hunting!