A professional association refers to a group of people who aim to make developments in their industry, grow their professional member base, and support the community with their field services. A regulatory body is a type of professional association that’s regulated by law and is primarily concerned with the public more than its members.
As organizations, any professional association, including a regulatory body, must hold elections for professional associations that will appoint leaders to uphold their purposes and steer their activities. ElectionBuddy makes this process easier by providing accessible election mechanisms.
A regulatory body, also known as a regulatory authority or just a regulator, is a public organization or government agency that establishes and strengthens legal standards in different sectors of the economy and public life, such as education, transportation, and workplace health.
Their responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:
A professional association is an organization (typically non-profit) whose purpose is advancing a certain industry and developing the growth of professionals in the field while providing a service that helps the community. It oversees the knowledge and resources that forward an industry while balancing the interests of its members and the general public.
There are multiple types of professional associations. Here are the differences between each one:
The purpose of member-benefit professional organizations is to provide value to their members through career-enriching activities like networking, training, and mentorship. They also offer benefits that members can use to bulk up their resumes, such as access to educational materials.
Designation-granting associations provide individuals, including non-members, with a designation that proves their professional status. This certification signals that a professional has achieved requirements defined by the organization, which could be a set amount of training hours or a minimum grade in an exam.
Certifying bodies are similar to designation-granting associations, except the certification is a prerequisite to becoming a member. All members must have met established qualifications, which may be a passed exam or finished coursework.
A professional regulator, as mentioned, is regulated by the government and exercises authorities delegated by law. They’re still a type of professional association, but they focus more on upholding industry standards and safeguarding public interest instead of forwarding the specific goals of their member base.
While regular bodies are professional associations, they’re greatly distinct from other types. Here are the ways that they differ:
Professional associations typically serve the interests of the profession—that is, the industry and its professionals. And while regulatory bodies also consider the needs of those who work in the field, their primary purpose is to protect the public.
Membership is often voluntary for most professional associations, but regulatory bodies mandate membership; you need to be part of the body to be able to execute and partake in its powers and activities.
Professional associations are led by a board of directors, which normally doesn’t include lay representation. Meanwhile, regulatory bodies are governed by a council, which always has lay representation. Both organizations, however, elect their leadership, which is easier done through ElectionBuddy’s professional voting platform.
Professional associations engage members in value-adding activities. For example, they regularly provide members with networking and job opportunities to help them advance professionally. Regulatory boards, on the other hand, concern themselves with developing and executing standards of practice that their members must comply with.
Neither professional associations nor regulatory bodies are directly involved with policy-making and legislation, but both are still concerned with government activities. Professional associations lobby policymakers, while regulatory boards regularly liaise with the government.
Any professional association, including regulatory bodies, require leadership to steer them in the right direction. To achieve this, fair, accessible, and transparent elections must take place. ElectionBuddy enables organizations to do this with their professional voting platform. Find out how ElectionBuddy can help your professional association, from chamber of commerce voting to accounting associations today!
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