Professional Organizations

KNR 273

What is the purpose of professional organizations?

Support professionals in a chosen field

Promote and foster the advancement of a field

Improve services to consumers• Robertson & Long, 2008

What are the benefits of membership?

Advancement of public policy Professional education opportunities Networking Access to publications Input in to standards, ethics, policies

• Anderson & Heyne, 2012

Professional Organizations

National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS) NO LONGER effective 10/2010

American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)

Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section (ITRS) Illinois Recreation Therapy Association (ILRTA) Therapeutic Recreation Association of Greater

St. Louis (TRAGSL) NOT National Council for Therapeutic

Recreation Certification (NCTRC)

NRPA Changes

No longer have branches, sections, etc. (thus no NTRS)

Have networksJoin NRPA and can join as many

networks as you wantInclusion &Accessibility Network

NTRS Board voted 10/27/10 to comply with TREC/members wishes for 1 professional organization

NRPA (Networks)

Administrators Aquatics Armed Forces

Recreation Citizen Education Leisure & aging Park resources

Inclusion & accessibility

Tourism & special events

Young professionals Special park districts Regional (several)

NRPA Costs

$159 professional

$99 young professional

$50 student

ATRA Questions

How do you apply to become a member?

What are the dues (Student & Professional)?

What are ATRA member benefits (Professional)?

ATRA Dues

$125 Professional

$65 Students

ATRA Member Benefits

Public policy news releases

Action alerts Lobbying efforts

Midyear Conf. Treatment

networks Annual in TR

online

eNewsletter Marketing Webinars Discounts on

publications & conferences

Educational opportunities

Liability Insurance

ATRA has partnered with CPH and Associates to bring members competitive rates and superior customer service on professional liability insurance for members. With CPH and Associates members can receive proof of insurance in minutes through a real-time online application. Plus you’ll receive a discount just for doing the application online. Premiums for Recreational Therapists start at approximately $95 a year, and additional Risk Management and Newly Licensed discounts are available.

$15 for students Healthcare Providers Service Organization

• www.hpsco.com

ATRA Networks

Behavioral Health Developmental

Disabilities Geriatrics Physical

Medicine/Rehabilitation

Pediatrics Veterans/Military

Services Aquatic Therapy School System Community

Based

Professional Organizations

The advancement of the profession is dependent upon the work of the professional organizations

Professional organizations rely on volunteer professionals and maybe a small office staff

YET

Approximately 14,000 CTRSs

Less than 3,000 belong to ATRA

• Skalko, 2013

Compared to AOTA(Skalko, 2013)

AOTA 42,000 members

2 FT lobbyists

$200K+ AOTAPAC

ATRA 3,000 members

1 PT council & volunteers

$0 ATRAPAC

TR & OT

Although TR & OT work side by side their national organization is active in thwarting the progress of RT in practice3 hour guideline debate

• One negative letter from OATA impacted

Affordable Care Act – Insurance Exchanges

• Skalko, 2013

Professional Obligation

Support your profession viaMembershipsHold officesPractice-base evidencePresentPublish

Networking

Define networkingIn generalIn TR

Benefits of networking

Professional Network

Colleagues from school Professional organizations Conferences Electronic

TR DirectoryRT blogMySpaceFacebook

• ISU TR Alum

Networking

For jobs, not just who you know but who knows you!

Active in professional organizationsCommitteesPresentRoom hostConferences

Professional behavior at conferences

Networking

Introduce yourselfAfter sessionsAfter class speakers

Act professionalClass contacts with professionalSite visitsCover letters & resumesMore…

Networking

Volunteer Part-time job Active in school organizations

Officer Membership in community

organizationsRotary Club, Commerce Emerging

Leaders, etc.

Networking

Letters of referenceMZ & SK &/or professional supervisorAskProvide resumeInform before someone contactsThank for being referenceKeep in contact with your references