Professional Role Identity and Variations in the Descriptive Profile and Organizational Attitudes of National Council on Family Relations Members

Abstract

In Spring 1991, the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) conducted a membership survey. Based on these data and framed through a symbolic interaction perspective, this article explores variations in the demographic profile and organizational attitudes of three professional role identity groups that are specified in the NCFR mission statement: educators, researchers, and practitioners. The results demonstrate wide variation in the profile and attitudes of these three groups. In the context of an increasingly competitive marketplace of professional associations and high tumover rates among members in NCFR, it is concluded that professional role diversity involves both opportunities and challenges for NCFR, and represents a possible integrative and unifying theme for the organization. Professional associations, like the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), are formed by individuals to accomplish certain educational, training, and professional objectives best met by collective action. The ultimate success of any voluntary group or organization depends upon achieving several interrelated tasks (Schein, 1985). First, it must develop a sense of mission that is shared by its members. Second, it must derive a set of objectives that are logically derived from this mission, and develop a working consensus among members about these objectives and their importance. Third, it must develop agreement among its members about the mechanisms and strategies for achieving its objectives, and devise procedures for monitoring and evaluating the success of the organization in achieving them. Fourth, it must maintain a high level of system integration and member morale to fulfill its mission, to achieve its objectives, and to sustain itself over time.