To join or not to join: School counselors as a case study in professional membership

School counselors were surveyed regarding their choice to join or not join their professional organization. Members and nonmembers differed on the following: whether participants' graduate program emphasized professional membership, membership status of colleagues, the belief that professional organizations advance the field, and the belief that being a professional means joining professional associations. A model is proposed that includes major themes in the decision-making process identified in the qualitative comment data. Implications for professional counseling organizations are discussed.