Associations, Organizations, and Experts

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Associations, Organizations, and Experts

• LIB 120
• Amanda Izenstark

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Associations Organizations

• For almost any topic imaginable, there exists an
  association or organization.
• Professional -- made up of professionals in a
  field.
• Trade / Industry -- for those working in a
  specific trade or industry.
• Special Interest -- by and for people with a
  special interest in a topic.

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Professional Organizations

• American Medical Association
• Members consist of doctors
• The AMA provides professional information and
  networking opportunities to its members
• Educates the public and policy makers about
  health issues, and advocates for the interests of
  the medical community

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Trade Organizations

• National Restaurant Association
• Individual restaurant owners and restaurant
  chains
• Goal is to represent, educate, and promote the
  restaurant industry and to advocate for
  governmental policies favorable to the industry

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Special Interest Organizations

• Surfrider Foundation -- non-profit organization
  dedicated to protecting our oceans, waves and
  beaches.
• National Organization for Women
• NAACP
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• Greenpeace
• Save the Bay

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Associations Organizations

• May be excellent sources of information on topics
  related to their missions.
• Sometimes they are even the primary source of
  information on that topic.
• Increasingly making valuable information
  available on their Web sites, although the
  information they are willing to provide for free
  to non-members is often limited.

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Associations Organizations

• Keep in mind that these groups have an agenda to
  promote their profession, industry, or cause.
• The information they provide may not be unbiased
  -- it will be provided to promote their agendas!

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Associations Organizations

• These may appear in the news from time to time
• Toy Manufacturers of America -- industry group of
  toy makers
• Lion Lamb Project -- rates violent toys

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Finding Associations Organizations

• Encyclopedia of Associations -- Provides a
  directory of associations and organizations on a
  variety of interests and topics
• Associations Unlimited database -- online
  equivalent, available from public libraries.

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Finding Associations Organizations

• Using the Internet search tool of your choice,
  limit to .org
• Always remember to double check and make sure
  that its a legitimate organization if you find
  it this way.
• Quick legitimacy test run the organizations
  name through a database.

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Experts

• Expert one with the special skill or knowledge
  representing mastery of a particular subject
  (from www.m-w.com)
• A combination of education, long-term experience,
  and research makes someone an expert.

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Experts

• One important example your professors!
• Qualified as a result of education, research, and
  experience.
• (By the way, theyre not trained to be teachers.)