Professional Organizations
My apologies for not posting for the past few weeks. I was preparing several presentations for the International Association of Emergency Managers conference in Orlando FL last week. I piloted a new workshop I've been developing on the fundamentals of emergency management programs and presented a breakout session on the use of the administrative plan (those of you who are IAEM members can see my article in the October issue of the IAEM Bulletin). I was also asked to deliver one of the plenary sessions, speaking on the 1927 Mississippi flood and its social, political, and economic impacts.
I always look forward to the IAEM conference. It's a time to recharge my batteries, so to speak, by connecting with friends and colleagues who remind me why I'm in this profession. It's also a great opportunity to learn new skills, hear new ideas and to network with potential partners.
Like many of you, I belong to a number of associations and professional societies. I believe that such membership is important for continued professional development. But I believe a professional association should provide value to its membership, so I'm pretty picky about the ones I choose to join. Unfortunately, I occasionally meet colleagues who belong to no professional organizations. If you're not in touch with the recent developments in your profession and do not have a network of proffessional contacts to back you up, how can you be effective in your profession?
If you're not in a professional organization like IAEM or a local group like the California Emergency Services Association, give some thought to what you're missing. You don't have to be the Lone Ranger!