Are Professional Associations Obligated to Help Job Seekers?

I read a great article about what PR professional organizations are (or aren't) doing to help their unemployed members. The author, Janet Falk, suggests that membership organizations have an obligation to help members find employment when they've been laid off.

I'm going to advocate for just the opposite position. I believe professional organizations like PRSA and IABC are there to educate PR professionals to learn the skills that will keep them employed, or give them the tools to keep themselves marketable in these changing times. Members deserve to get the professional development they paid for, and unemployed people are just as welcome as others to come and learn new information.

In fact, I would argue that professional associations should facilitate relationship building among members, so that an unemployed colleague might be scooped up quickly by another company. A professional mentoring program between students and professionals, or young professionals and more experienced practitioners should be a better buffer to prolonged unemployment than waiting to help after the fact. The Truth is: It's all who you know.

I found this out immediately after I lost my job in April. Colleagues from PRSA and other organizations reached out to me, putting me in touch with freelance gigs and speaking opportunities. In fact, several of my PRSA colleagues have gone above and beyond the call of duty by actively funneling business my way. Friends from all over my rolodex also called and sent leads my way. Networking while you are employed is the best way to constantly build and maintain these relationships.

If you're a member of a professional organization, here is my advice:

1. Go to the events your member organization plans. Write stuff down. Learn!
2. Network with the members who show up at the events. Move around and introduce yourself.
3. Bring business cards, and be sure to include your Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn handles
4. Join a planning committee, and find opportunities to be involved
5. Write a blog or articles for your chapter's newsletter
6. Utilize the job banks provided by most professional organizations

Keep your professional connections strong and take advantage of the opportunities that your colleagues are working hard to provide.