Why belong to an editing association?

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. There are many reasons to belong to an editing association but people often leave once their own needs are met (once they build up expertise or clients) (or a network of like-minded professionals).

Why do I continue to belong to Editors Canada, even though I no longer have much need of the discounts and so on? Because some things matter more than money.

Editing associations provide tools to lobby with or to set goals and terms with clients or bosses.

These things don't happen without an organization behind them, so anyone who uses them is benefiting from the existence of editing associations and the hard work of their involved members.

For Editors Canada, these resources include

• the Professional Editorial Standards
• the editing definitions
• the freelance agreement (contract)
• the editing theses guidelines
• certification
• study guides
• workbooks
• publications such as Editing Canada English

These things don’t happen by magic. If we want these Canadian resources to remain effective, editors need to belong to their professional editing association and to get involved with the on-going work that is required to keep these tools updated and relevant. For the good of all editors in Canada.

And I understand that not everyone can get involved. But at least support those who can and do.

#ForAllOfUs

#TogetherWeAreStronger

#EditorsNeedCommunity