The use of artificial intelligence in banking is something the ABA is monitoring closely for its members now. AI can make many money scams easier, and the ABA is working to educate its members about that side of the new technology.
Whether he actually existed or not, the ancient Greek fabulist Aesop is credited with saying, “In union, there is strength.”
Professional associations in Arkansas bring just that to their members — strength in their fields and a sense of community along with it.
Most professional associations offer their members core benefits, including education on up-to-date policy information, advocacy at the state and local levels, and networking events to build community among members of the same fields.
In a post-COVID-19 world, many long-standing associations have experienced some changes in what it looks like to be a member, as well as large changes in their fields. Still, in the case of the Arkansas Bankers Association, for example, very few banks in the state are not members.
“It’s the right thing to do to support the industry,” ABA President and CEO Lorrie Trogden said.
Lorrie Trogden
(Photo by Ocken Photography)
Being one of the 177 members of the ABA comes with many membership benefits, and education is at the forefront. The association works to keep its members updated on quickly changing state and federal legislation.
“We’re one of the most heavily regulated industries, so it takes a lot of work to keep abreast with what’s going on,” Trogden said.
She added that it is the association’s job to advocate for policies that will serve its members’ clients the best. ABA listens to its association members about what policy changes are needed because the bankers are the ones who have to uphold new rules and regulations, Trogden said.
“They are right there on the front lines, living it every day,” she said.
Membership also provides bankers with chances to connect throughout the year at events such as an annual conference, an emerging leaders conference and a women in banking conference. During those networking meetings, members find they are all facing many of the same challenges and can discuss ways to overcome issues.
“While there are a lot of things that divide them competitively, there are many things that bring them together,” Trogden said.
She said being a member of ABA during the pandemic was very valuable because the association set up daily check-in calls with health department officials, state officials and anyone who could help her members better understand what was going on with the federal Paycheck Protection Program and other COVID-related programs.
Since the pandemic, there has been a return to in-person banking, Trogden said. Many people were ready to return to their local branches and use the services face to face.
The use of artificial intelligence in banking is something the ABA is monitoring closely for its members currently. Trodgen said AI can make many money scams easier, and the ABA is working to educate its members about that side of the new technology.
Trogden said the association’s primary mission is to eliminate pain points for all banks, not just those that are members of the association. The association is there to help bankers, who then, in turn, can provide good customer service to their customers.
Another prevalent association in the state is the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association. The association has more than 100 companies and organizations as members, hailing not just from Arkansas but from around the world.
“We represent different sectors, from energy efficiency to energy developers to just consumers of energy,” said Lauren Waldrip, AAEA executive director.
Lauren Waldrip
The association offers different membership levels, including champion, leader, innovator, business, institutional and emerging leaders.
Emerging leaders members gain access to tools including a job board, a personalized mentor and opportunities to engage and shadow industry leaders and programs, as well as discounted fees for events.
The association has a foundation working in conjunction with it that operates as a 501(c)(3). The foundation focuses on workforce development, economic development, public education programs and research.
Waldrip said one change has been an uptick in municipalities joining the group to gain access to help with workforce development, grant opportunities and other resources the association can provide.
“The nature of our industry is very innovative, and so we do see some evolution as far as what our membership looks like based on a number of different things,” she said.
Those variables include emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, which offer new marketplace opportunities and new jobs. The association uses AI as a tool to increase efficiency in serving members.
The group has issued calls to action for policies to increase energy generation, promote innovation, enable markets to work and encourage responsible consumption.
“Sufficient resource planning is very important when you look at how we’re going to anticipate the growth of the energy demand that we have, as well as the economic opportunities that will come with that,” Waldrip said.
For its workforce programs, the organization wants to educate its members on how to use AI.
“We know that our workforce has to learn how to use it, maybe when it’s picking up false or old information, but ultimately, how can we increase efficiency by augmenting our human skills and capability?” she said.
Another quickly shifting sector is education. The Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators works to support its members through legislative representation, advocacy and professional learning opportunities.
The organization was incorporated in 1976 “with the goal of seeking continual improvement in the quality of education and educational leadership in Arkansas,” its website states.
“We’re helping ensure high standards of leadership,” executive director Mike Hernandez said. “People should become members to make sure they’re getting good professional development and keeping up with things that are relevant.”
Mike Hernandez
Thirteen organizations operate under the association’s umbrella and represent different types of administrators within schools, such as elementary school principals, middle-level administrators and more.
Through networking at different events, schools can help each other create various initiatives to meet their education goals. Hernandez cited one school that was conducting a literacy program during spring events such as basketball games. Other schools learned about this through a member meeting and created similar activities.
Recently, the organization has been working to help its members implement policies such as those covered in the LEARNS Act. Hernandez said the organization works closely with its members to make sure they are following the new rules and also gives a place for practitioners to provide feedback on these changes.
“We’re usually on the forefront of getting that information to them,” he said. “You wouldn’t be left in the dark because of the vast amount of information that gets given on a regular basis.”
Hernandez said the organization has been able to keep its members more connected by offering more online and hybrid-model events, which means more people may be able to attend.
“Members are more engaged in the association,” Hernandez said.
While associations have to stay nimble to keep up with today’s fast-changing world, they remain as connected with their members as ever and continue their missions to educate members and advocate for the good of their prospective fields.
“My goal is to always be the ‘yes’ person,” Trogden said. “If [members] bring a problem to me, I will work day and night to solve it for them.”
