Associations

FOCUS: Professionals working as counselors in elementary through post-secondary educational settings
FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Bi-monthly magazine School Counselor
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: Occasional Professional Development Seminars
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $90 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: Massachusetts www.masca.org, New Hampshire www.nhschoolcounselor.org
LOCAL MEETINGS: some professional development seminars held by local chapter
WEBSITE: www.schoolcounselor.org

American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)

FOCUS: Professionals working in training or adult learning
FOUNDED: 1944
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Weekly E-Newsletter The Buzz, monthly magazine T&D,
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: Several different certifications including ASTD Certified Trainer and Certified E-Learning Instructor
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $150 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: Massachusetts/Greater Boston www.massastd.com, Central Massachusetts www.cmastd.org, New Hampshire www.astd-nh.org
LOCAL MEETINGS: regular meetings held by local chapters
WEBSITE: www.astd.org

Association of Career Firms International (ACF)

[Formerly the Association of Outplacement Consulting Firms International (AOCFI)]
FOCUS: Professionals working in any facet of career management including human resources, executive coaching, career counseling and outplacement.
FOUNDED: 1982
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Quarterly E-newsletter The Career Management Letter
DISCUSSION LIST: No
TRAINING OFFERED: Supports International Board for Career Management Certification (IBCMC) certification
MEMBERSHIP DUES: Based on location and # of offices; minimum dues for company headquartered in US and 1-5 offices/branches is $1,220 per year.
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters, no regional meetings.
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.aocfi.org or www.acfinternational.org

Association of Career Professionals International (ACP)

[formerly International Association of Career Management Professionals]
FOCUS: Professionals in all facets of career management including career counseling, outplacement, organizational consulting, and human resources.
FOUNDED: 1989
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Quarterly newsletter The Highlighter
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: Supports International Board for Career Management Certification (IBCMC) certification.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $125 per year (covers both local chapter and international association)
LOCAL CHAPTER: Boston Chapter - http://www.acpinternational-boston.org/
LOCAL MEETINGS: Monthly events held by Boston Chapter
WEBSITE: www.iacmp.org

Association of Job Search Trainers (AJST)

[Formerly the National Association of Job Search Training (NAJST)]
FOCUS: Professionals who work with those engaged in self-directed job search.
FOUNDED: 1986
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Quarterly newsletter Newsbrief
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: None; discounts offered on trainings offered by other entities.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $55 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters, no regional meetings.
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.ajst.org

Career Counselors Consortium (CCC)

FOCUS: Career counselors working in private practice, higher education, and non-profit positions.
FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: No
NEWSLETTER: No
DISCUSSION LIST: No
TRAINING OFFERED: Monthly day-long professional development seminars; cost is $145 each for members, $170 each for non-members
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $75 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: Organization is Boston-based and is just for New England
LOCAL MEETINGS: Quarterly networking/professional development meetings with speakers and panels
WEBSITE: www.careercounselorsne.org/

Career Development and Marketing Association (CDMA)
FOCUS: Professionals in all facets of workforce development in Massachusetts.
FOUNDED: 1988
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: No
NEWSLETTER: E-newsletter approximately twice per month
DISCUSSION LIST: No
TRAINING OFFERED: None
MEMBERSHIP DUES: None
LOCAL CHAPTER: Organization is just for Massachusetts
LOCAL MEETINGS: Quarterly board meeting with professional development lecture
WEBSITE: www.cdmanetwork.org

Career Planning and Adult Development Network (CPAD)

FOCUS: International professional development association for those who work with adults in career transition.
FOUNDED: 1979
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Bi-monthly newsletter and quarterly journal
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: Offers four certifications: International Job & Career Transition Coach, Global Career Development Facilitator Instructor Training, which are delivered via 3 day workshops and cost $750 each, and Working With Candidates Who Face Significant Employment Barriers and Starting or Expanding a Private Career Counseling/Coaching Business delivered via 1 workshops and cost$250 each.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $49 for US residents, $64 for non-US residents
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters; no regional meeting
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.careernetwork.org

Career Resource Managers Association (CRMA)

FOCUS: New England based association for career resource librarians and other career professionals who manage information resources
FOUNDED: 1995
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes (Bi-Annual)
NEWSLETTER: None
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: None
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $20 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters; New England based organization
LOCAL MEETINGS: Meets twice annually in Boston area
WEBSITE: www.crmaonline.org

College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR)
FOCUS: International association for human resource (HR) administrators at colleges and universities as well as others interested in the advancement of human resources in higher education, including students and HR service providers.
FOUNDED: 1946
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Monthly newsletter and semi-annual journal
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: Web-based courses (webinars) offered twice per month October-June of each year.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: Institutional membership based on organization’s total budget; range from $265 to $2,115 per year.
LOCAL CHAPTER: Eastern Region chapter hosts annual regional conference each spring;
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.cupahr.org

Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE)

FOCUS: Regional professional development association for people working in career development and employment of the college educated.
FOUNDED: 1926
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Quarterly newsletter Bridges
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: Offers one-day professional development seminars
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $115 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: This association is only for the Eastern United States; National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is a separate but affiliated National level organization www.naceweb.org
LOCAL MEETINGS: Monthly meetings and professional development seminars that move around the northeast; cost for meetings varies by length of meeting.
WEBSITE: www.eace.org

International Association of Workforce Development Professionals (IAWP)

[formerly International Association of Personnel in Employment Security IAPES]
FOCUS: International professional development association for people working in all facets of workforce development, with a focus on those working in the public sector under the Workforce Investment Act. Focuses mainly on advocacy and awareness.
FOUNDED: 1913
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Bi-monthly newsletter Workforce Professional
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: Local chapters provide workshops; 4 certifications offered via home study guide and in-person test: Workforce Development Generalist, Employment & Training Systems Specialist, Tax & Benefits Specialist, Labor Market Information Specialist; cost is $35 per exam for members, $55 per exam for non-members.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $42 per year for International chapter (in addition to local chapter dues) if you belong to a local chapter as well; $150 per year for International chapter if you do not belong to a local chapter as well.
LOCAL CHAPTER: No MA chapter; NH chapter http://nhiawp.homestead.com/
LOCAL MEETINGS: By local chapters; no Massachusetts chapter
WEBSITE: www.iapes.org or www.iawponline.org

International Coach Federation (ICF)

FOCUS: International professional development association for people who work in the personal and business coaching field. Focus mainly on providing support for private coaching practices via services and technology. International Association with local chapters. FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Monthly E-newsletter The Coaching World; local chapter monthly newsletter New England Coaches Network News
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: 3 certifications offered via combination of coaching experience and hours of training: Associate Certified Coach, Professional Certified Coach, and Master Certified Coach; cost is $225 for members, $375 for non-members
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $195 per year, local chapter dues additional $60 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: One local chapter for all of New England: International Coach Federation of New England www.icfne.org
LOCAL MEETINGS: Held by local chapter International Coach Federation of New England; cost $45 for members, $55 for non-members
WEBSITE: www.coachfederation.org

National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP)

FOCUS: National professional development association for people working in all facets of workforce development with an emphasis on those employed in the public sector or working under the Workforce Investment Act. Focus on advocacy, policy, and awareness.
FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Monthly newsletter Advantage
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: Occasional professional development trainings; 1 certification offered via self-certification process: Certified Workforce Development Professional; cost is $75
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $50 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters, no regional meetings
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.nawdp.org

National Association of Job Training Assistance (NAJA)

FOCUS: National association for trainers focused on professional development of government and non-profit staff that manage job training programs (strong focus on WIA).
FOUNDED: 1984
MEETINGS: None
MEETING COST: N/A
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: None
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: None
MEMBERSHIP DUES: None
WEBSITE: www.naja.org

National Career Development Association (NCDA)

FOCUS: National professional development association for people involved with or interested in career development. The NCDA is a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA).
FOUNDED: 1913
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Quarterly newsletter Career Developments, Career Convergence monthly web magazine, and quarterly journal Career Development Quarterly
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: Supports the Center for Credentialing and Education’s Global Career Development Facilitator, in addition to 2 certifications: Global Career Development Facilitator Master Trainer, which enables someone to teach GCDF Instructors, and Global Career Development Facilitator Instructor Training, which enables someone to teach the GCDF curriculum.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $55 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: No active local chapter
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.ncda.org

National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE)

FOCUS: National professional development association for workforce educators at the postsecondary level. NCWE is an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Partner of the Jobs For the Future Initiative (JFF).
FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: NCWE Workplace
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: None
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $90 per year
LOCAL CHAPTERS: No local chapters, no regional meetings
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.ncwe.org

National Employment Counseling Association

FOCUS: National professional development association for people working in all facets of workforce development with an emphasis on the Workforce Investment Act and the public sector; branch of the American Counseling Association. Focus on advocacy, policy, and awareness.
FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Quarterly journal “Journal of Employment Counseling” and quarterly newsletter
DISCUSSION LIST: None
TRAINING OFFERED: Supports Center for Credentialing and Education’s Global Career Development Facilitator certification.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $58 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapter in New England
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/6491/neca.html

National Resume Writers Association (NRWA)

FOCUS: National professional development organization to those who produce resumes
FOUNDED: 1997
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Bi-monthly newsletter Resume Writers Digest, plus bi-monthly E-newsletter
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: Online Excellence in Resume Writing course for NRWA members only consisting of four segments; cost is $30 per segment. 1 certification offered via submission of sample resume, continuing education requirements, and a test administered via fax: Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) for NRWA members only; cost is $190
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $95 Association Membership, $150 Annual Membership
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters, no regional meetings
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.nrwaweb.com

Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA)

Regional professional development association for people working in human resources and career management in Massachusetts.
FOUNDED: 1985
MEETINGS: Bi-monthly regional professional development and networking workshops with speakers
MEETING COST: $40 for members; $55 for non-members
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Monthly E-newsletter plus quarterly magazine Insights
DISCUSSION LIST: No
TRAINING OFFERED: 7 Day-long professional development seminars on HR related issues per year; cost is $390 each for members, $450 each for non-members
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $175 per year
WEBSITE: www.nehra.org

Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARW/CC)

FOCUS: International association for people working in the fields of career coaching, career counseling, and resume writing
FOUNDED: 1990
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Monthly newsletter The Spotlight
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: 3 credentials offered via test administered by fax for members only: Certified Professional Resume Writer, $225, Certified Employment Interview Professional (home study course and then fax test), $695; Certified Professional Career Coach
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $150 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters, no regional meetings
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.parw.com

Professional Resume Writing and Research Association (PRWRA)

FOCUS: International association for people working in all facets of career management including career coaching, outplacement, human resources, recruiters, and professional resume writers.
FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Yes
NEWSLETTER: Monthly E-newsletter Hire Views
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: 7 certifications offered via submission of writing samples and test: Certified Resume Writer (CRW), $100; Certified Expert Resume Writer (CERW), $250; Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW), $500; Certified Electronic Career Coach (CECC) (online class); Certified Career Research Professional (CCRP) (online class); Certified Federal Resume Writer (CFRW), $895 (online class); Certified Web Portfolio Practitioner (CWPP), $395 (online course).
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $150 per year US, 100 per year Non-US
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters, no regional meetings
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
WEBSITE: www.prwra.com

Workforce Development Professionals Network (WDPN)

FOCUS: National professional development association for people working in workforce development with an emphasis on staff of UD DOL funded One-Stop Career Centers and other public sector entities. Focus on technical support and professional development of staff.
FOUNDED:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE: None
NEWSLETTER: Quarterly newsletter
DISCUSSION LIST: Yes
TRAINING OFFERED: Supports the Center for Credentialing and Education’s Global Career Development Facilitator credential; offers 1 to 3 day long professional development seminars.
MEMBERSHIP DUES: $25 per year
LOCAL CHAPTER: No local chapters, no regional meetings
LOCAL MEETINGS: None
MEETING COST: N/A
WEBSITE: www.wdpn.net