5 Thriving Industry and Professional Organizations in New York

Building relationships with colleagues is an important aspect of growing your career, whether it's coming together as an employee union or meeting prospective buyers for your clothing brand. These organizations, all based in New York, help individuals navigate the complexities of their respective industries through a variety of projects that ensure no one is on their own as they try to forge a path in their particular field. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

5 Helpful Organizations For Professionals In New York

Name Membership
Advertising Club of New York Individuals and corporate entities in advertising, media, marketing, and related fields
Committee of Interns and Residents A local chapter of Service Employees International Union, represents more than 17,000 resident physicians and fellows
New York Wine & Grape Foundation Wineries and grape growers based in the state, as well as wine enthusiasts and businesses that support the industry
Professional Staff Congress at the City University of New York Faculty and staff at CUNY and its Research Foundation, with around 30,000 members
Fashion Footwear Association of New York Retailers, brands, designers, buyers, and sellers in the footwear industry

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Access To Paid Time Off By Union Membership

As a percentage of civilian workers in the United States in March 2019:

Type of Leave Union Members Non-Union Workers
Paid Sick Leave 91% 73%
Paid Jury Duty Leave 84% 56%
Paid Funeral Leave 83% 54%
Paid Holidays 81% 77%
Paid Vacation Time 75% 76%
Paid Personal Leave 63% 43%
Paid Military Leave 55% 29%
Paid Family Leave 22% 18%

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In Depth

One of the most populous states in the US, New York serves as a home to people from all types of backgrounds, employed in industries ranging from advertising to medicine. With a sizable and productive economy, the Empire State provides countless opportunities for its residents to work in meaningful and rewarding ways. To this end, there are many groups in the area that specialize in specific fields, helping employees come together, secure proper benefits and pay, and improve the quality of their working conditions. If you are interested in learning more about the work they do, then here are, in no particular order, five dynamic professional organizations in New York.

Coming in at #1 is The Advertising Club of New York. With its roots stretching back to the late 19th century, this organization has a long history of bringing together individuals and corporate entities in the fields of advertising, media, marketing, and ad-tech. Through a combination of educational efforts and networking opportunities, it enables its members to connect, provides professional development, and introduces them to relevant topics in innovation and technology.

With more than 4,500 members, the Club offers a variety of membership levels for individuals and corporations, including, for example, one specifically for young professionals. In 1986, the nonprofit launched its own foundation, which aims to create and strengthen a diverse and inclusive community of media professionals. It also puts on The International ANDY Awards each year to recognize creative excellence in the industry. Those who wish to get involved with The Advertising Club of New York can sign up to volunteer or inquire about speaking opportunities.

With more than 4,500 members, the Club offers a variety of membership levels for individuals and corporations, including, for example, one specifically for young professionals.

In the #2 spot is the Committee of Interns and Residents, founded in 1957. A local chapter of Service Employees International Union, C.I.R. represents more than 17,000 resident physicians and fellows. Seeking to empower its members, C.I.R. works in a variety of different ways, which include uniting and amplifying the voices of resident physicians, increasing negotiating power and support for patients and communities, and fighting for cost-effective, high-quality health care for everyone.

To further its mission, C.I.R. homes in on several important issues, ranging from reproductive rights for women and families to gun violence as a public health problem. In addition, it runs several campaigns benefitting different populations, such as Patient Care Funds, which gives money to hospitals so they can better care for their clients, and the Family Health Challenge, which enables C.I.R. members to work with children to develop healthy behaviors. If you want to show your support for the Committee of Interns and Residents, consider checking out its blog or following its accounts on social media.

At #3 is The New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Established in 1985, this organization drives industry growth through investing in a combination of promotion, research, and capacity building. N.Y.W.G.F. offers membership to a variety of groups in the state, including wineries, grape growers, businesses, and wine enthusiasts, who gain a range of benefits, from conference discounts to financial and tax services.

Established in 1985, this organization drives industry growth through investing in a combination of promotion, research, and capacity building.

Some of its specific offerings include its Export Program, which provides data, resources, and education, and New York Drinks New York, which honors the vibrant world of wine in NYC and beyond. N.Y.W.G.F. also collects information on different wine competitions around the world and sponsors a number of interesting research projects. If you are interested in getting involved with this foundation, you can attend one of its upcoming events or look into joining as a member.

Coming in at #4 is the Professional Staff Congress at the City University of New York. This union represents around 30,000 members of faculty and staff at CUNY and its Research Foundation, striving to improve their professional lives, better the terms and conditions of their employment, and strengthen the overall health of the university. The P.S.C. has connections with a number of larger labor organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers, the American Association of University Professors, and the Campaign for the Future of Higher Education.

The P.S.C. has identified a set of key issues that it focuses on, some of which include environmental justice and defending the social safety net. It has also published well-defined policies and resolutions regarding areas like sexual harassment and whistleblowing. In the past, its former campaigns have achieved impressive results, from increasing sabbatical pay to securing funding for adjunct health insurance. Those who want to learn more about the Professional Staff Congress at CUNY can sign up to receive its newsletter or check out "Clarion," its newspaper.

It has also published well-defined policies and resolutions regarding areas like sexual harassment and whistleblowing.

Last but not least, at #5 is the Fashion Footwear Association of New York. Based in Manhattan, F.F.A.N.Y. is dedicated to promoting and uniting the footwear industry in New York. It does this primarily through its Market Weeks, which take place four times a year and bring together industry buyers and sellers in one of the most stylish cities in the world.

In addition to Market Weeks, the Fashion Footwear Association of New York engages in educational efforts in partnership with Arsutoria School, offering programs in craftsmanship, such as a five-day workshop in shoemaking, and online courses covering topics like footwear silhouettes and the life of a shoe. Furthermore, F.F.A.N.Y. hosts charitable events, like the annual Shoes on Sale, which began in 1994 and has helped raise over 55 million dollars for first-step breast cancer research. If you want to get involved with this organization, consider signing up to become a member or attending one of its upcoming events.