WHO ARE YOUR ASSOCIATES

by Deb Weidenhamer

What is an Auctioneers Association supposed to do -- why does it exist -- and most importantly what has your association done for you lately?

When I first became active in the auction industry in Arizona, I was very involved with the state auctioneers association. I attended all the meetings, seminars, conventions and contests, I even was elected an officer. I knew many of the auctioneers in my state by first name and was able to attach a name with a face to my competitors.

I learned that you don’t bring ethics charges against a member of the association. As a matter of fact it was explained to me that the reason most association’s officers have no authority to take action against a member who has been found responsible for ethics violations is so membership will not be frightened to belong to the state association.

It was common at an association meeting for members to laughingly refer to a fellow member as a "crook" or "someone who I wouldn’t trust alone with my grandma’s possessions". This approval of membership started to shed a light on all association members that wasn’t too flattering. I brought it before the officers of my association, each on an individual basis and no action was ever taken. Needless to say I no longer am active with my association.

However by some weird twist of life -- a government contract that my firm holds requires me to be a member. Several years ago, one of my competitors who is now in trouble with many government agencies convinced a particular government agency that they should require all auctioneers bidding on their contract work to be members of the state auctioneers association. He argued his case that the state auctioneers association polices its own.

I find it amusing that there really isn’t anything further from the truth. As a matter of fact in my state, most reputable, successful auctioneers can not be found on the membership roles of the state association. I believe that for any organization to be successful, every member must contribute to the association. But I also believe you must look at an organization for what it offers in return to its membership. If your state association isn’t able to police its own, offer education and insight into your time honored profession and build up your business then you better find a new association or be willing to breath new life into the one you have.

An association is formed to build up the reputation of an occupation. It is a place for professionals with common goals and interests to meet, fellowship and learn from one another. If is an organization that so quickly cuts off a bad member as to not taint any other member and openly discusses infraction of ethics so all membership can learn and understand the group’s expectations. An association is where a member should feel they can ask for help and offer assistance in the true spirit of cooperation. Most importantly an auctioneer should be proud to say I belong to my association; not to be forced by a government contract to begrudgingly belong and hide the membership certificate in a drawer.