Quick Answer
Add your professional association memberships to demonstrate credibility and community involvement. Association memberships are self-reported (not verified) and display on your profile for visitors to see—they don't affect lead matching or publication placement.
Overview
The Association Memberships section lets you showcase your involvement in professional organizations, bar associations, medical societies, industry groups, and cultural professional organizations. You can add up to 10 memberships, each with three required fields.
This section helps potential clients see your professional network and community connections, building trust and credibility.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Open the Association Memberships Section
Navigate to your Edit Profile page and find "Association Memberships." Click the section header to expand it.
Step 2: Click Add Association
Click the "Add Association +" button at the bottom of the section.
Step 3: Complete All Three Fields
Each field is required:
Field | What to Enter | Example |
Association Name | Full name of the organization | American Bar Association, Texas Medical Association |
Position | Your role or membership level | Member, Board Member, Fellow |
Year | Year you joined (YYYY) | 2018 |
Step 4: Add Additional Memberships (Optional)
Repeat for each association you want to display. You can add up to 10 entries.
Step 5: Submit Your Changes
Click "Publish Draft" to save and submit for review.
Examples by Profession
Attorneys:
American Bar Association — Member — 2015
State Bar of Texas — Member — 2015
Iranian American Bar Association — Board Member — 2020
Medical Professionals:
American Medical Association — Fellow — 2012
American College of Cardiology — Member — 2015
Texas Medical Association — Member — 2012
Real Estate Agents:
National Association of Realtors — Member — 2017
Houston Association of Realtors — Member — 2017
Important Notes
All three fields are required for each entry
Not verified: Unlike licenses, association memberships are self-reported
Display only: Memberships don't affect lead matching or publication placement
Different from Community Connections: Community Connections determines which publications you appear on; associations are for credibility display
FAQs
What's the difference between Association Memberships and Community Connections? Association Memberships display your professional organization involvement (for credibility). Community Connections determines which Heritage Web publications your listing appears on. They serve different purposes—associations are display-only; Community Connections affects publication placement.
Can I add cultural or heritage-based professional associations? Absolutely. Organizations like the Iranian American Bar Association, Black Nurses Association, or Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are excellent additions that show your community involvement.
Should I list inactive memberships? Focus on current, active memberships. If a past membership is particularly notable (e.g., former board president), you may include it, but prioritize current affiliations.
Can I hide my associations from my public profile? Yes. Toggle the visibility switch to "off" in the section header. Your membership information is saved but won't display publicly.