“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” — Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s words are a powerful reminder that purpose comes from knowing what matters to us and choosing to act on it. As a member of AFA, I have an opportunity to do more than simply join an association. I can become actively engaged by volunteering, attending the Annual Meeting, connecting with fellow members, and contributing to the continued success of AFA’s remarkable history.
Reaching the 50-year milestone is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Fifty years represents decades of dedication, leadership, service, and commitment from the members who came before us. An association does not reach such a milestone by accident. It takes people who are willing to renew their membership, give their time, share their knowledge, and invest in the organization’s future. As the Association celebrates this important anniversary, I believe it is also a reminder the next chapter depends on members like you and me being willing to step forward.
Renewing your membership demonstrates that commitment. Membership is more than a yearly transaction; it is an intentional decision to remain connected to a professional community and support the work of the Association. By renewing, you invest in your continued growth while getting access to professional development, connection, and involvement throughout the year. Membership renewal started in June and it’s not too late to join! If you want to benefit from everything AFA offers, renewing your membership, volunteering, participating in Association programs, and attending the Annual Meeting are all ways you can turn membership into meaningful engagement.
One of the most meaningful ways members can become engaged in the Association is through volunteering. Volunteering provides an opportunity to contribute while also learning more about the Association and the profession. It also allows you to develop relationships, learn new skills, and discover areas where your talents and interests can be maximized. The Call for Volunteers is currently open now and closes on December 13. Whether assisting with the Annual Meeting, planning regional roundtables through the Membership Recruitment and Engagement Team, brainstorming themes and editing articles for one of our three publications, or providing support to the AFA Foundation, you can play a key role in making the Association stronger for the next 50 years.
If capacity for volunteering is a concern for you, I invite you to engage with one of AFA’s Community Collectives and/or Communities of Practice, which offer meaningful ways to become engaged throughout the year. Community Collectives connect members through shared experiences and identities, while Communities of Practice bring professionals together around common areas of work to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from one another. Participating in these groups facilitate the building of relationships, strengthen professional skills, and contribute experiences and perspectives. These opportunities provide a way to move beyond passive membership and become an active part of the community.
Attending the Annual Meeting is another important step toward becoming an engaged member. The Annual Meeting is AFA’s hallmark professional development experience and engages attendees in four days full of networking and relationship building. Plus this year, you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the Association’s 50th anniversary and get an intimate look at its history and accomplishments while learning about plans for the future. Attending puts you in the middle of the Association rather than on the sidelines and gives you the opportunity to participate in quality programming that helps you be better at your job. No other professional development experience can guarantee over 100 educational sessions dedicated specifically to fraternity and sorority. The experience is so good that over the past three years, data from Annual Meeting attendee surveys revealed that over 95% of attendees would recommend the Annual Meeting to a colleague. Early bird registration closes on September 18, making it important to take advantage of the discounted rate to make attending the Annual Meeting as affordable and accessible as possible. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of the savings today!
Ultimately, Dolly Parton’s words about purpose challenge me to be intentional about my membership. I do not want to simply have a place within the Association – I want to contribute to it. In my 20 years as a member of AFA, I have had the opportunity to appreciate the foundation built over its 50 years while helping shape what the next 50 years might look like. Every generation of members has a responsibility to contribute something to the organization they inherit. For me, that contribution has meant showing up, volunteering, and being willing to participate. By renewing my membership year after year, volunteering, engaging in communities, and attending the Annual Meeting, I have been able to honor the 50 years of work that came before me while helping create opportunities for the future. Being involved is a choice, and I have chosen to participate with purpose – and it has made a significant difference in the professional I am today. I invite you to do the same – so “pour yourself a cup of ambition” and ensure you get engaged with AFA this month!