Role of Professional Associations & Leadership

A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) is usually a non-profit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.[1]

The roles of the professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or oversight of the legitimate practice of the occupation;"[2] also a body acting "to safeguard the public interest;"[3] organizations which "represent the interest of the professional practitioners," and so "act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body."[3]

In Pakistan, PULISAA’s Annual Dinner is scheduled on 9^th April at Punjab University Lahore, Pakistan. Pakistan Library Association’s election schedule has also been announced.  I was thinking about the role of professional leadership/association. I extended the roles as follows:

• Create a Shared Vision
• Unite the professionals in one direction
• Map the Change
• Prepare the professionals to cope with the change and turn challenges into opportunities
• Enhance the skills and broaden the vision of professionals
• Create a sense of importance to belong your professional organization/association
• Safeguard the public interests
• Represent the interest of the professionals
• Act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body

References:

1. Professional association

2.   ^ Professional body at Analytic Quality Glossary

3. ^ ^{a b} Harvey, L. and Mason, S., 1995, The Role of Professional Bodies in Higher education Quality Monitoring. Birmingham: QHE.