Why Join Your State Associations?

• February 10, 2009
• by ServeNow.com Staff
• Business Tips

Process Serving and Investigation Associations are more than a networking opportunity

Several people have asked me recently, “Why should I join a state association? After all, it costs $75 – $100 per year, and that’s a lot of money!” I reply by asking some questions of my own, such as: Do you consider yourself to be a professional? Has the process serving industry been good to you? What can you give back to the industry? Do you believe there is value in working with your peers to bring process serving to a higher level of respectability?

I believe that being part of professional associations brings additional credibility to you and your business. I enjoy being associated with some of the most educated and knowledgeable people in the industry. When I am seeking new business, I’m proud to tell potential clients that I’m a member of NYSPPSA and NAPPS. This provides me with a network of professionals all over the world. Our board members are elected to their unpaid positions by their peers because they care about the industry and their livelihoods. Professional associations provide newsletters; hotlines that can provide answers concerning service of a particular type of process, websites, membership directories and many other benefits. Also, their members are by far the best the industry has to offer.

It has happened that a good client called me with several rush services that needed to be handled at the same time. The additional manpower I needed to complete the job was right at my fingertips in my state membership directory. I was recently required to attend a Traverse Hearing. After my name, the first questions that were asked were “Are you licensed and are you a member of any professional associations? Being able to answer in the affirmative added to my credibility and distinguished myself as a professional who cares about his work.

You can certainly get along in this business by yourself. However, you are selling yourself short. Being part of the NYSPPSA has increased my business and I have made some good contacts and great friends. I am able to attend board meetings and brainstorm with representatives of large firms and small companies, We work long and hard to be successful and the people I work with truly care about the future of the process serving industry.

One or two services will cover the annual dues. Instead of looking at it as an exorbitant bill, it should be considered an investment in the future of your business. The sense of pride and accomplishment I have developed through my membership with the NYSPPSA can’t be purchased at any price.

Bob Gulinello is an NYS Certified Process Server, the Past President & Founder of NYSPPSA and is also a member of the following organizations:

• Member of NAPPS
• Member of NJAPPS
• Member of the NY Better Business Bureau
• Member of the Society of Professional Process Servers
• Honorary Member of NYS Sheriffs Association