Organizations whose members are individual professionals or agencies associated with the arts who have affiliated for the purpose of fostering knowledge about and appreciation of artistic expression within their particular field, establishing standards of excellence, recognizing outstanding contributions, promoting career development, and otherwise supporting the interests of members. Members may include individual professionals (e.g., artists, singers, instrumentalists, actors, dance professionals, mime artists, conductors); organizations representative of the visual or performing arts or other arts fields (e.g., dance or theatre troupes, symphony orchestras, art museums, choral groups), or dealers, collectors, producers, distributors, arts facility managers or others working in the arts field or who are patrons of the arts.

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Organizations whose members are business people, either operating their own companies or employed in organizations, who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting the general commercial interests of the community or the interests of their own trade.

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Organizations whose members are individuals who work in the disability field and have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in education and training conferences, interacting with other professionals and taking advantage of other opportunities for personal and professional development. Many disability associations also include individuals with disabilities and their families in their membership. Disability associations may also advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and their caregivers; promote legislation that funds research and services for this population; and provide information for members and the general public. Included are associations that focus on a specific disability such as autism or brain injuries; and those that address a broad range of disability issues.

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Organizations whose members are academics who represent a particular discipline or teachers, administrators, school psychologists or other educational personnel who have affiliated for the purpose of continuing professional development through articles in journals and other publications, participation in professional conferences and other informal educational opportunities. These organizations may deal with complaints about members and may also provide assistance for members who are having difficulty with their employers.

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Granges, farm bureaus and other organizations whose members are individuals who cultivate the land or raise livestock to earn their living who have affiliated for the purpose of developing purchasing or marketing cooperatives, supporting the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that protect farmers and their farming enterprises, ensuring that farmland, in general, is preserved for farming purposes rather than freed for development, or engaging in other activities that are designed to promote their interests and ensure their livelihood.

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Organizations whose members are home health, hospice and personal care agencies that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, increasing the visibility of home care services, disseminating information to members and the general public and improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of in-home and end of life care. Home health and hospice associations may provide opportunities for personal and professional development through conferences, publications and other activities; advocate for the rights of patients, their families and caregivers and people who are bereaved; maintain referral services through which people who require home health, personal care, palliative care or hospice services are referred to member agencies; and/or provide information about employment opportunities for people working in the field.

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Organizations whose members are employees who have affiliated for the purpose of engaging in collective bargaining with management in order to secure more favourable wages, hours, grievance procedures and other terms or conditions of employment.

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Organizations whose members are executives or managers in any of a wide variety of agencies, businesses and other enterprises who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in professional conferences and seminars, networking with their peers and taking advantage of other opportunities for continuing professional development. Management associations may be generic, representing management and administrative personnel across all industries and professions or focus on a specific industry or profession; and often provide practical training, business tools, certification and recognition programs, publications, research, job banks and other resources that help members improve individual and organizational performance and maintain a competitive edge.

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Organizations whose members are doctors, dentists, nurses, chiropractors or other medical professionals who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and participating in medical seminars and conferences, subscribing to medical journals and taking advantage of other opportunities for professional development. Many medical associations set standards which relate to the qualifications and performance of members, accept and investigate complaints from the public regarding the practices of members and maintain referral services through which residents who require medical assistance are referred to members.

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Organizations whose members are community health centres and other outpatient health care facilities that have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests and improving the quality, accessibility, affordability and continuity of health care services through a program of advocacy, education, research, information and leadership. Medical centre associations promote activities that improve community health status; seek to influence provincial and national health care policy through active lobbying at provincial and federal levels; promote public understanding of health care issues; prepare members for changes in health care financing and help members become effective advocates for their institutions and profession and the patients they serve.

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Organizations whose members are sales managers, sales agents, sales representatives, marketing or advertising specialists, promoters, auctioneers and others who are involved in the sales of commodities or services who have affiliated for the purpose of promoting mutual interests, participating in educational seminars and conferences, networking with their peers, receiving newsletters and other publications and taking advantage of other opportunities for professional development. Sales associations may develop standards for the field, offer certification and recognition programs, maintain a job bank, provide access to business tools or offer other resources that help members advance in their careers.

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