Professional Organizations

Here are the benefits of joining a professional group:

• Exclusive online resources. The websites of most professional associations have
  “members-only” sections that provide access to a variety of databases and message boards, as
  well as list-serv subscriptions so that you can be notified via e-mail about upcoming events and
  special activities that may not be open to the general public. Some feature content on a variety of
  topics, such as running a business, advancing your career or boosting your technology expertise.
• Networking opportunities. When you join a professional organization, you’ll deepen
  existing business relationships and make new contacts on a regular basis. Such networking goes
  beyond the exchange of business cards – as you attend periodic meetings, become active on a
  committee or take a prominent leadership role, you’ll forge lasting ties with others who have
  common professional interests and similar business concerns. These relationships will be a rich,
  ongoing source of inspiration and ideas.
• Education. Many professional associations offer their members the chance to update
  their knowledge of business and trade basics or acquire new skills through seminars, workshops,
  break-out sessions at conferences and online courses. Typical subject matter can run the gamut
  from tax tips and small business financing to advice about hiring and staff management.
• Conferences and seminars. Members are often given priority registration for their
  organization’s convention and may receive discounts on conference fees or special rates on
  related expenses, such as hotel reservations and car rentals.

International IT professional organizations:

• Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) - The organization’s mission is to provide superior leadership and education in Information Technology. AITP is dedicated to using the synergy of Information Technology partnerships to provide education and benefits to our members and to working with the industry to assist in the overall promotion and direction of Information Technology.
• American Society for Information Science (ASIS) - Since 1937 ASIS has been the society for information professionals leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information. ASIS brings together diverse streams of knowledge, focusing what might be disparate approaches into novel solutions to common problems. ASIS bridges the gaps not only between disciplines but also between the research that drives and the practices that sustain new developments
• Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) - Founded in 1973, the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals is acknowledged throughout the information and technology sectors as an authoritative source of professional certification. The CCP examinations demand a high degree of professional competence. The tests are organized into 17 specialty exams ranging from Business Information Systems to RPG/400 Language.
• The Information Technology & Telecommunications Association (ITTA) - The Information Technology and Telecommunications Association is the resource for information technology and telecommunications professionals involved in transporting, connecting and integrating data, image, video and voice.
• The System Administrators Guild (SAGE) and the USENIX Association - The organization’s mission is to advance the status of computer system administration as a profession, establish standards of professional excellence and recognize those who attain them, develop guidelines for improving the technical and managerial capabilities of members of the profession, and promote activities that advance the state of the art or the community.

National IT professional organizations:

• Information Technology Association of the Philippines (ITAP) - is a private, independent and non-profit association whose members are composed of leading product and service providers of Information and Communications Technology. The group is aimed at promoting ICT development and its usage as it contributes to the economic growth and global competitiveness of the Philippines.
• Information Technology Foundation of the Philippines - was established in 1994 and acts as an umbrella for around eleven ICT associations in the country. The mission of ITFP is to represent and act as the single voice of the Philippine IT sector. The objectives are to accelerate the development of the Philippine Information Technology industry and help the segment by conducting and supporting projects and activities that will lead to the attainment of its purposes.
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association ISACA-Manila Chapter is an organization for Information Systems (IS) professionals in the Philippines providing a source of information, education and guidance in IS auditing, control and security. They provide complimentary download of COBIT™ and offers CISA. and CISM™ accreditation to its members.

Local IT Professional Organizations:

• Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT)- is an offshoot of the first Cebu IT Summit convened last March 2001. The Cebu IT Summit identified the need to enhance the quality and quantity of human resources in the IT industry and CEDF-IT was the response to this challenge by the major players in the industry, the academe, and government and NGOs.
• Council of Deans for IT Education in Region XI (CDITE-XI) started in year 2001 and spread its wings under the presidency of Vic Calag (UP-Mindanao) for three years until year 2004. It would be worthy to note that the vision of CDITE-XI is to make Davao as the center of quality and world-class IT education and training in Mindanao. The mission is to produce highly competent and efficient IT professionals with sound social and ethical standards. The five main programs are: (1) Administrators and Faculty Development; (2) Academe-IT Industry Linkage; (3) Inter-School Cooperation; (4) Advocacy; and (5) Networking. The core values are commitment, professionalism, excellence, continuing education, integrity, social relevance and unity.
  

Sources:

http://www.ipbc.ca/UserFiles/Joining%20Prof%20Organizations%20-%20IPBC%2003.08.pdf