To Join or Not to Join, that is the question? It doesn't matter whether you are new to the real estate industry or if you have been in the business for many years, professionals struggle with what organizations they should join.  They wonder which organizations will be beneficial to their business and which ones will be a waste of time. Today, there are so many choices between chambers, associations, councils, and referral groups; it can be difficult to choose.  The path you take in building your business really depends on the business you want to build.  What areas will you specialize in?  Who do you want to do business with?  Do you want to work off referral only?  Joining larger associations can give you access to important resources and also give you credibility with your clients. Smaller groups give you the opportunity to network with people on a more personal level.  When you are determining what organizations to join it is important to keep the end in mind.  Choose those organizations that not only fit within your business plan, but also your personality.  Visit meetings ahead of time, see how the group interacts with each other, and evaluate whether or not joining would help you reach your goals.