The benefit of professional organizations to society are well documented in history and have resulted in a world that is much more secure, safe and healthy. For example, the work of professional organizations has resulted in design guidelines that make our roads safe, drinking water standards that protect public health and the development of new technologies that save money and improve efficiency. They encourage networking, provide training, develop standards, promote professionalism and ethics, advocate for sound public policy, and advance quality. Engineers, communities, counties, regulatory and funding agencies, suppliers and contractors all benefit from the efforts of professional organizations.
Enable Better Solutions and Processes
Collette Anderson, PE Presents a Case Study on Water Loss at Montana Rural Water Conference
Sharing experiences, case studies, approaches and information about new technologies with others in similar lines of work allows us to learn from our collective successes and failures. This sharing results in more creative ideas, solves problems, saves money, improves operational efficiency and streamlines regulatory and funding processes.
Provide Consistent Quality and Public Protection
Professional organizations, through both national and local committees, actively engage private and public members in the development and management of industry standards. These standards provide the public with a consistent level of health and safety protection and measurable standard for the quality of products and services delivered. Standards advance public confidence through demonstrated accountability, ethics, professionalism and quality.
Advance and Document Competency
Professional associations offer continued training and education to advance professional competency. In some cases, those who complete specialized education and training receive certifications to document their competency in these areas of specialized service. Certifications not only reinforce competency, but result in better solutions and quality projects for communities.
Enhance Relationships and Improve Communication
Networking also improves relationships that make the execution of work more efficient, collaborative and less stressful. Professional organization members have greater opportunities to work with regulatory and funding agencies, engineers, suppliers, construction contractors, and local government entities. These opportunities often result in a better understanding of each others goals, needs, constraints and issues. Collaboration allows the industry to address issues effectively and better meet the goals of all industry stakeholders.
Working to Meet Common Goals
Many professional organizations work hard on behalf of their members to affect the industry at the governmental or social level. Organizations comprised of a variety of industry perspectives are more effective at fostering change and leadership than just one person. The experience of working on common issues builds relationships within the industry and better understanding of all aspects of the industry. Industry activity can include such efforts as sponsoring a comprehensive system of higher education, encouraging and enforcing codes of ethics, securing the general acceptance of nationwide standards, and promoting public policy.
Have questions and want to bounce them off us in person? Great West has the following events on the radar. Our staff will be available to chat and will also be presenting on a variety of topics.
