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Knowledge is Power
Professional and networking groups keep you informed and expand your circle
Tell Me What You Know
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Business New Haven
10/6/1997
By: BNH
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Tell Me What You Know
Professional organizations function as everything from lobbying arms to clearinghouses for sharing trade information and networking resources. Departing New Haven County Medical Association President Ann Harney and president-elect Veronica DeBiase go on the record with BNH to offer readers insight into how the region's largest and perhaps oldest (it was founded in 1784) professional organization functions.
What's the mission of the New Haven County Medical Association? The NHCMA provides services for physicians regarding education, insurance and other benefit programs. The association also has a peer-review process for patients who have a concern about a physician. The public can avail itself of the association's physician-credentialing service. They can call and obtain information regarding a physician's hospital affiliations, medical background and specialty. But the association cannot give information about allegations or complaints against a physician.
What benefits do members receive? Educational programs. Information about how better to care for their patients. And the association monitors legislation and lobbies on behalf of physicians.
How do you recruit new members? Through the efforts of member physicians and membership drives. Medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy who are licensed in Connecticut and practice or live within New Haven County are eligible for membership.
How do you communicate with members? Newsletters, faxes, e-mail and annual meetings, held in the spring.
How is the group structured? A board of governors made up of approximately 50 who are elected to two-year terms, including eight officers who serve for one year. The board is representative of the association's five geographic areas: Milford, New Haven, Wallingford, Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley.
Professional Groups
The New Haven County Medical Assoc. is an association of physicians who live in or practice in NH County. The association monitors legislation, lobbies on physicians' behalf, offers insurance plans, provides credentialing and has a peer-review committee to handle complaints from patients against member physicians. Founded in 1784, NHCMA has 1,630 members. Annuals dues are $450. Call Veronica DeBiase at 203-699-2405.
Greater New Haven Assoc. of Realtors is a trade association for local Realtors and offers continuing education. Founded in 1915, GNHAR has 1,379 members. Annual dues are $309 for Realtors and $359 for designated Realtors. GNHAR meets quarterly. Contact Roberta O'Hara at 203-234-7700.
The Connecticut chapter of the American Institute of Architects is an association for architects, providing continuing education and information research regarding architecture. Founded in 1902, AIA/CT has 1,250 members. The chapter meets bi-monthly. Annual dues are $210. Contact Judy A.C. Edwards at 203-865-2195.
The New Haven County Bar Assoc. promotes intellectual pursuits, perpetuates legal standards and coordinates and sponsors continuing education. Founded in 1907, NHCBA has 1,250 members. The association holds an annual meeting in October. Dues range from $60 to $115. Contact Carolyn Witt at 203-562-9652.
Conn. Society of Professional Engineers promotes licensing and ethical practice of engineering and meets six time per year. Founded in 1934, the group has 700 members. Dues are $155. Contact Paul Brady at 203-281-4322.
American Assoc. of Industrial Mgmt. (AAIM) offers training, research, survey data, management development and HR help. Founded in 1898, AAIM has 500 members and holds regular meetings. Dues $225-$2,000. Contact Charles Fox at 203-234-2246.
Conn. Women in Healthcare Mgmt. offers career development, education, information and networking for women, and a few men, in healthcare. Founded in 1981, membership is up to $430 and dues are $40/$15 student. Call Jean Bogdanski at 860-295-0399.
Conn. Assoc. of Professional Accountants (CAPA) offers education and licensing. Founded in 1941, CAPA has 300 members. Dues $100 for full members, $50 for associate members and $25 for retired members. Contact Chester Katzman at 203-287-0876.
Nat'l Society of Fundraising Executives (NSFRE) advances philanthropy through education, training and advocacy. Founded in 1980, NSFRE has 160 members and meets the third Thursday of each month, 7:45 a.m., at the Ramada Inn in Meriden. Annual dues are $220. Contact Joseph P. Gatto (203-576-5451).
The Conn. Press Club is an organization of journalists, writers, editors and other professionals involved in communications. Primarily for networking, CPC holds monthly meetings September-May. It also offers ad hoc educational conferences, such as a writers' conference or using the Internet. Founded in 1976, membership is 125. Dues $25; $75 for combined memberships. Contact Thomas Fitch at 203-329-8738.
Business Marketing Assoc. (BMA) of Connecticut provides continuing education, career development and networking. Founded in 1971, BMA has 100 members and meets monthly. Dues $190. Contact Jans Johnson at 203-698-2270.
Certified Commercial Investment Members (CCIM) offer educational programs, and networking for professionals involved in commercial real estate, from Realtors and appraisers to bankers and mortgage brokers to attorneys . Founded in 1920, CCIM has 73 members. Dues range $125-$150. Contact Kate Blake at 203-234-7700, ext. 16.
Society of Women Engineers offer education, networking, information and support. Founded in 1955, it has 40 members and meets monthly. Dues are $75. Contact Marianne Gehring at 203-761-2883.
The Connecticut chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) advances public relations, improves the skills of public-relations consultants and exchanges information. Founded in 1948, PRSA has 55 members and meets monthly. Dues $175 national, $35 per chapter. Contact Marcia Simon at 860-399-0191.
New Haven Assoc. of Insurance Women supports professional advancement of members, promotes fellowship and builds industry loyalty. Founded in 1943, meetings for the 35 members are monthly. Contact Pat Dimenstein at 203-389-1000.
Nat'l Assoc. of Women in Construction (NAWIC) offers education, lobbying, information and networking. Founded in 1969, NAWIC has 40 members and meets monthly. Contact Alisa Bowens at 203-562-3322.
Getting To Know You
Networking groups are distinct from professional organizations in that they are open to professionals of all stripes instead of geared toward one trade. Hunter Smith is the president of the Professional Business Association (PBA), one of the oldest networking groups in Connecticut, and an architect with his own firm, Hunter Smith Associates in Hamden.
What's the purpose of your professional association? To create an environment for business owners from different professions to network their business. No member has the same business designation (specialty). We have a florist, an insurance agent, an electrical contractor, a construction [contractor], an automobile specialist, a travel agent, a doctor, an attorney, etc.
Where did the concept come from? The founder of PBA, Jim Ryan of Jim Ryan Associates Insurance in Wallingford, heard about an organization that operated on the same basis in New York and thought it was a good means by which to get business owners together. .
How does the group recruit
members? We ask members to remember our slogan: “remember a member.” Membership is only through the recommendation of another member. We want to make sure someone will make a commitment to attend meetings because it's the only opportunity to be with members and get to know each so that you can [effectively] refer business and use their business.
How often do the members meet? Monthly for dinner. We network for an hour before and then have dinner [while] members speak about their business and expertise.
How is a networking organization like PBA setup? A board of eight directors serve for two years. They are rotated in so that every year three are replaced. Members are asked on an annual basis if they are interested in serving and then a nominating committee reviews candidates for the slate, and then general members vote.
Networking Groups
Nat'l Assoc. for Female Executives has 2,800 members in Connecticut and two affiliate groups, the Conn. Women for Global Trade (Amy Ruzbasan at 860-275-0719) and the Gtr Hartford Women in Networking group (no. below). The purpose of the groups is business networking for women. Memberships range from $60 to $69. Contact Terry Lewis at 860-653-6288.
Entrepreneurs Network of Conn. has 200 members and brings together members for networking with and exposure to successful entrepreneurs to solve business problems. Founded in 1995, meetings are $5. Contact Allan Gerard at 203-377-3196.
Conn. Venture Group has 164 members and brings together entrepreneurs and investors for networking and to stimulate economic growth. Founded in 1979, CVG centers around luncheons with prominent speakers, and the annual dues are $300 plus $35 per lunch. Contact Mike Roer at 203-333-3CVG.
Nat'l Assoc. of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) has 100+ members and offers education, business development programs, support and lobbying. Founded in 1995, the group meets monthly and dues are $75. Contact Sue Glasspiegel at 860-651-5299.
Professional Business Assoc. has 45 members and is designed for networking to increase business. Founded in 1984, annual dues are $560 ($200 base plus $30 per dinner). Contact Rose Minari at 203-795-7333.
Sources Inc. has 50 members and focuses on networking for specific referrals for members. Founded in 1995, members meet bi-weekly and dues are $475. Contact David Grebe at 800-854-5323.
Business Network Int'l has 16 members and serves to generate leads and networking. Founded in 1996, members meet weekly at the Graduate Club in New Haven and pay dues of $260. Contact Robert Kaufman at 203-985-1510.
Southern New England Business Dev. Network has 15 members and centers around developing qualified business leads. Founded in 1995, members meet weekly at the Graduate Club in New Haven and pay annual dues of $200 plus monthly of $25.
The Networking Source has 15 members and generates leads and promotes networking. Founded in 1995, members meet bi-weekly at the Crossroads Diner in North Haven and pay $100 annually and $5 per meeting.
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