What is a professional society? What do professional societies contribute to society as a whole? What can I gain from membership in a professional society? Is being an active member of a professional society something I want (am willing) to do? These are questions we have all asked (or will ask) in the process of finding out about, filling out a membership application for, or paying dues to a professional society. These questions are examined, and hopefully answered, using ASHRAE as a specific example.

KEYWORDS: year 1996, professional personnel, engineers, engineering, research, information services