Why you need to join a professional body

The UK Science Council describes a professional body as an organisation with individual members practicing a profession or occupation in which the organisation maintains an oversight of the knowledge, skills, conduct and practice of that profession or occupation.
For some fields like accounting, medicine, the professional body is also charged with the responsibility of certifying that members have successful completion of its requirements, awards licences, prescribes a code of conduct for members and have monopoly over the profession’s education, like the business dictionary explains.

However, away from such roles, there are other benefits professional bodies offer. As one of its activities, the Project Management Institute Uganda Chapter, an organisation whose core purpose is to advance the practice and science of the project management profession recently held a networking and professional development event for its members and people interested in project management. In the discussions that ensued during the event, project managers deliberated on finding solutions to challenges that faced their profession in the 21 Century, sharing ideas on how to stay relevant.

Staying relevant
Ronald Muhumuza, a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda, agrees that professional bodies are instrumental in keeping members up to speed with trends in the profession.

“The professional body always keeps in touch and gets first hand information on how and what things are happening in the world of work as well as the education level. This enables them to keep members in light of these changes in trends, technology, knowledge, policies and to even advise or spearhead these changes in the profession. This keeps members relevant in the job market,” Muhumuza says.

Free access to publications
Additionally, Gerald Isabirye, the vice president in charge of membership at PMI, notes that their members get access to electronic copies of all standards published by PMI Global. “As a member, you can download an electronic copy of these resources from the Library of PMI Global Standards. If you are a PMP certification aspirant, then you can download a free copy of the latest edition of PMBOK Guide which is an essential document for your PMP certification journey.”
He further shares that members also have access to various research papers and discounted price for project management related books or get paid papers at discounted rates.

Networking
One of the benefits that come with membership to professional bodies is networking. “As a PMI member, you are availed with the opportunity to connect with professionals through Communities of Practice or in PMI Chapter meetings. These events give you a great opportunity to learn by connecting with professionals. These connections will help you to prepare for your PMP certification exam or can help you get a good job,” Isabirye notes.

Professional development
Away from the academic credentials that the professional bodies issue, active interaction between members of the profession can lead to professional development.

“For example, I remember a time when we had a networking event organised by the Uganda Law Society, and I met with this group of lawyers. These guys were well respected, some of the household names we know, and for me, being there with them, and interacting with them one on one left me with a purpose, as a young professional. I later got in touch with one of them, and they became my mentor. That was the turning point in my career development,” Ronald Mugisha, a lawyer, shares.

Isabirye further adds that joining a professional body can benefit you in many ways—from networking and making valuable professional contacts, to the feel-good aspect of volunteering, to developing lasting personal and professional relationships as well as getting access to a wealth of information. Isabirye notes that:

Build your social skills
Professional bodies are a great place to meet people from different background who have had different life experiences. Normally, being in such a diverse crowd would be overwhelming.

If you are a member of a professional fraternity, you already know that you have something in common. It is a great link to building a relationship on, and you can improve your social skills by talking to people you might not have met.

Participate in community service
Part of being in a professional organisation is giving back to the community, and for many members, it is these acts of service that make the experience even more rewarding. It is a chance to get involved in communities and positively influence other people’s lives.

Leadership opportunities
If you want to take your level of involvement beyond being an average fraternity member, there are leadership opportunities that allow you to do so. If you are an officer of your fraternity, you are charged with making important decisions that impact the entire group. This can be great training for your future because you are practicing important skills. It also shows your willingness to go above and beyond, which looks great on a CV.

Joining a professional body
Normally, to join a given professional organisation, one needs to be a professional in that given field.
For most professional organisations, joining is through subscribing for membership, normally at a given fee. Therefore, after identifying one’s professional organisation, inquire about the needed requirements to join (these differ from organisation to organisation), and enjoy the benefits it offers.

Some of the professional bodies in Uganda

•The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-U)
•Uganda Media Women’s Association
•Federation Of Uganda Football Association (FUFA)
•The Association of Accounting Technicians of Uganda & ICPAU
•Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda
•Uganda Athletics Federation
•Uganda Insurers Association
•KACITA (Kampala City Traders Association)
•Uganda Workers Association
•Uganda Association of Private Vocational Institutions (UGAPRIVI)
•Uganda Women Writers’ Association (FEMRITE)
•Uganda Law Society
•Uganda National Association of Building & Civil Engineering Contractors
•Uganda National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (UNCCI)
•Uganda Journalists Association
•The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Uganda(ACCA Uganda)
•Uganda National Teachers’ Union
Source: aboutuganda.com