When I first became an IAEI member, I was an instructor and contractor. I sat in the back of the room during the meeting and didn't get too involved or participate all that much. My $90 didn't seem to go too far or give much back.
When I became an inspector, it turned out that my employer was really into the IAEI and all but required their electrical inspectors to be ACTIVE members. Well, it wasn't long before I was asked to be Secretary and to serve on a few committees. Next thing I knew, I was a Board of Director representing my Divison at the Chapter level. At my very first BOD meeting, I ws asked to become the Secretary of the Chapter in addition to my service as a Secretary to my local Divison.
Through my service, I have had the opportunity to meet really incredible people that I now call friends. This includes the likes of Mark Ode, John Minick, Mark Early, and James Carpenter. In part due to my involvement with the IAEI, I now serve on two UL standard technical panels. I am an alternate to serve on CMP 5 for the 2014 NEC and will likely be the first and only representative of the IAEI to serve on the NFPA 780 Technical Panel. As Secretary of the Florida Chapter, I have been able to make alliances with other organizations such as BOAF and the ECF. This has led to my election of Secretary to the Gulf Coast Chapter of BOAF and a founder of a new ECF Chapter here in SW Florida.
But these are only the big headline aspects that I can only try to wow and impress you with. The real good stuff is the things that happen one on one with other members. Being someone they can rely on to get information fast and accurate. To be someone to answer the phone or email and get them through code questions or others issues concernng the industry. To arrange more than 100 members to attend the funeral of a passing member. To honor a member with 55 years of service and membership. To provide a helpng hand to members being layed-off during these tuff economic times.
Don't get me wrong. It has been a lot of work and a lot of my own time and effort put into this organization with NO pay and without many pats on the back. As the Secretary of more than 1,200 members, I get to hear all the complaints, deal with all the controversial issues, handle all the egos, and that's the good aspects. I won't bother you with the really fun stuff.
Membership isn't for everyone. It actually requires hard work, dedication, and self-motivation. It comes with tons of frustration, lack of support, and occassionly all the blame when things don't work out.
I find many on this Forum are not up for this. They know not how to give, but readily put their hand out in want. If you are looking for a free ride, free meal, and new golf buddies, the IAEI is not the place for you. So don't come to my association asking what is in it for me me me.