What I Love About SRCD Membership and a New Opportunity for Service on Three Standing Committees
A good friend wrote me a few months ago and proudly announced that he had renewed his SRCD membership and has been an SRCD member for 50 years! Yes, that is five decades and counting. This kinda means that he joined SRCD when I was in kindergarten(!)…shh… don’t tell him. It might make him feel…well… “older.” SRCD has served him well in his career. I have been an SRCD member since 1993—28 years, not too shabby.
But why do I stay? Why do I renew my membership? Is it out of habit? An autopay that I never updated? I can get the journals for free through my university library, which used to be a huge member benefit back when my friend joined. So why?
I remain a member because I love the conferences, and I get a discount on registration. I love supporting the advocacy that SRCD does on behalf of its members and its ongoing efforts to translate policy to practice. I stay because it makes me eligible for awards and small grants and to serve on committees and have a voice. I remain a member because all my friends are members and I have access to the SRCD Commons where I can meet new friends, colleagues and share ideas.
New Opportunities for Service on SRCD's Committees
A lot has changed since I joined SRCD and people have many more options for joining professional associations. This has made us wonder how SRCD can better support its members throughout all the stages of their careers. To help understand what members need and how to help members stay connected, the Governing Council formed two new standing committees--the Membership Committee and the Development Committee—and broadened the scope of the Nominations Committee .
We have been wondering why people join, why they stay, and why they leave. That is the focus of the Membership Committee. The Membership Committee will work with the SRCD staff to better understand the needs of the membership, to learn what you want and need from SRCD across all stages of your career, and how you see yourself contributing to SRCD and the field.
Of course, getting involved is the best way to have a voice and see your ideas come to life. Ensuring that we have a diversity of voices at the table is foundational, as we are a Society that is welcoming and inclusive. The Nominations Committee will focus on identifying a slate of candidates for the Governing Council and officers and assist other standing committee in identifying new members from a broad range of backgrounds and interests.
Finally, we know that attending the Biennial and Special Topics meetings can be expensive, even with the membership discount, the Development Committee will focus on helping SRCD build partnerships with organizations and funders that are interested in co-sponsorship.
If you are interested in increasing your involvement and helping us figure this out, volunteer for committee service by March 31, 2022.
In the meantime, tell us in the comments or on Twitter why you’re a member and use the hashtag #SRCDMembers and tag @SRCDTweets. I look forward to hearing from you!
