7 Welcoming And Useful American Trade And Professional Associations
Whether you're an employee, a small business owner, or in charge of a large company, you need someone looking out for your interests, and these groups supply essential resources for a variety of industries. Whether it's professional development, connections between colleagues, or lobbying for better conditions, each of these organizations provides its members with important services, which is why they all have such strong member bases. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
7 Trade and Professional Groups Serving American Industries
| Organization | Headquarters | Description |
|---|---|---|
| American Culinary Federation | St. Augustine, FL | Largest professional organization for chefs in North America |
| Audio Publishers Association | New York, NY | Advocates for all businesses related to the audiobook industry |
| Association of Women Surgeons | Chicago, IL | Promotes workplace equality and professional development for women surgeons around the globe |
| American Galvanizers Association | Centennial, CO | Provides technical support and educational opportunities to after-fabrication galvanizers, fabricators, specifiers, architects, engineers, and contractors |
| Farmworker Association of Florida | Apopka, FL | Statewide grassroots farmworker membership organization |
| National Association for College Admissions and Counseling | Arlington, VA | Advocates at state and national levels and provides online resources for college admissions professionals |
| Fine Chocolate Industry Association | Arlington, VA | Supports the art of fine chocolate making through quality standards for growing and production |
American Culinary Federation's 2018 Chef Of The Year
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% |
Tips For Attending College Fairs From NACAC
In Depth
Whether we like it or not, our jobs often extend beyond our places of employment. They can impact our personal lives, and our future professional goals are frequently intertwined with whatever fields we work in. With this in mind, numerous organizations exist to help employees and industries thrive to the best of their abilities. If you are interested in learning more about some of these groups, then here, in no particular order, are seven welcoming and useful American trade and professional associations.
At #1 is the American Culinary Federation, which was founded in 1929 in New York City. With over 15,000 members, ACF is the largest professional chefs' organization in North America. Offering educational resources, training, apprenticeships, competitions, and accreditation opportunities, it promotes the professional image of American chefs around the world. ACF has a variety of partners and internal initiatives, including Chef and Child, dedicated to promoting proper nutrition for families, and the American Academy of Chefs, which serves as ACF's honor society.
As part of the World Association of Chefs Society, ACF gives its own members access to an intercontinental network of over one million culinary professionals. Its certification programs provide sixteen different levels of classification to improve chances of employment, promotion, and increased salary. More than 150 chapters across four regions offer local opportunities to network and develop professionally. If you are interested in learning more about ACF, check out one of its publications, like "The National Culinary Review," one of its numerous events, or its e-Store, which sells books, jewelry, and other merchandise.
As part of the World Association of Chefs Society, ACF gives its own members access to an intercontinental network of over one million culinary professionals.
Coming in at #2 is the Audio Publishers Association, formed in 1986. Open to all companies, organizations, and individuals involved in the audiobook industry, APA gives its members access to a variety of benefits, including industry sales and customer survey data, networking socials and educational webinars, and speaking and showcase opportunities. It also promotes advocacy that aims to accelerate the growth of the audiobook industry and the quality of production.
Beyond serving as a trade association for audio publishers, APA develops and promotes educational resources that can be used in libraries and in the classroom. Its "Teaching Literacy" guide offers educators ideas on enriching the learning experience with audiobooks. Additionally, APA publishes information for those who are just getting started in the industry. If you want to learn more about the Audio Publishers Association or support its goals, you can look into membership online or attend its annual conference, which has talks given by narrators, producers, and publishing professionals.
In the #3 spot is the Association of Women Surgeons, founded by Dr. Patricia J. Numann in 1981. Headquartered in Chicago, AWS is a not-for-profit educational and professional organization with more than 2,600 members in over forty countries. Focusing on equity, workplace development, and organizational effectiveness, AWS strives to help women surgeons achieve their personal and professional goals.
Headquartered in Chicago, AWS is a not-for-profit educational and professional organization with more than 2,600 members in over forty countries.
In its efforts to increase the number of women surgeons in medicine and balance work and home life for its members, AWS runs a number of initiatives and resources. One example is the AWS Coaching Project, a program that connects surgical trainees with more senior surgeons to reduce burnout and improve support. Another is the AWS Foundation, which funds educational projects for women in surgery. Those who want to support the organization can purchase apparel from its virtual store or make a donation online.
At #4 is the American Galvanizers Association. Based in Colorado and founded in 1933, A.G.A. is a not-for-profit trade organization for after-fabrication galvanizers, fabricators, specifiers, architects, engineers, and contractors. Wits its slogan of "protecting steel for a sustainable future," it collects and disseminates information on pioneering applications and technological developments in its field, balancing a mix of social, economic, and environmental needs.
A.G.A. sponsors many educational opportunities for its members, both in-person and online, including a free series of continuing education seminars and tests that ultimately award certifications. The organization also has a wide selection of publications with detailed technical information on topics from recycling zinc-coated steel to the role of zinc in child health, and sponsors an annual scholarship essay contest for college students. If you are interested in supporting A.G.A., you can sign up to receive "Galvanizing Insights," its quarterly email newsletter.
A.G.A. sponsors many educational opportunities for its members, both in-person and online, including a free series of continuing education seminars and tests that ultimately award certifications.
Coming in at #5 is the Farmworker Association of Florida, which, for over thirty-five years, has worked for social and environmental justice in the state's agricultural sector. As a grassroots nonprofit, it boasts over 10,000 Haitian, Hispanic, and African-American members, whose power it seeks to boost through strategies like building multiracial coalitions, raising consciousness about relevant issues, and increasing participation in decision-making processes.
In pursuit of its goals, F.W.A.F. has partnered with numerous outside organizations, like Emory University, with whom it conducts a research project on the impacts of farm work on pregnancy. F.W.A.F. has also joined the Food Chain Workers Alliance and, since its inception, has trained more than 5,000 farmworkers on workplace safety and exposure to pesticides. Those who wish to support F.W.A.F. and its mission can become regular volunteers, make online donations, or check out its frequently updated blog.
At #6 is the National Association for College Admissions and Counseling. Founded in 1937, NACAC today has over 15,000 members in its ranks. Dedicated to helping students as they make decisions about pursuing postsecondary education, NACAC works to promote diversity and social justice, while also advocating on state and national levels to influence governmental policy on education.
Dedicated to helping students as they make decisions about pursuing postsecondary education, NACAC works to promote diversity and social justice, while also advocating on state and national levels to influence governmental policy on education.
Its focus on professional development includes a set of online resources intended to guide members as they navigate topics like cultural fluency and increasing inclusion and diversity on college campuses. Its collection of webinars gives members a way to continue their education and connect with other people in the fields of admissions and college counseling. If you want to learn more about NACAC, check out its "Knowledge Center," a wealth of online information, or sign up to stay informed on its dealings on Capitol Hill.
In the final spot, at #7, is the Fine Chocolate Industry Association, which was founded in 2007 by a group of chocolate professionals from different countries. A small but growing part of the industry, fine chocolate represents at most 5% of market sales and is characterized by its flavor, texture, and appearance, as well as how its ingredients are sourced and processed. F.C.I.A. supports the growth and innovation of the industry by developing standards for cacao growing and confection production, facilitating communication among growers, consumers, the media, and legislators, and educating its members on best practices.
To encourage the exchange of information, F.C.I.A. runs a mentoring program, which pairs newer individuals and organizations with its "mentor dream team." It also hosts regional meet-ups in the United States and abroad, in addition to its main annual meetings in California and New York. Those who wish to discover more about F.C.I.A. can educate themselves about fine chocolate using its website or can join its mailing list to receive newsletters and alerts.
