Tennessee Extension Professionals' Engagement in Professional Associations: Attitudes and Perceptions

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes and perceptions of Extension agents related to Tennessee Extension professional associations. The guiding question for this study was: what are the attitudes and perceptions of Extension agents towards Extension professional association membership? Data collection methods included one-on-one interviews with 13 participants who were either members or nonmembers. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method. This allowed for emerging themes from members, nonmembers and both groups to come forth. Results of this study were divided into the following categories: (a) members and nonmembers, (b) members, and (c) nonmembers. Themes common to members and nonmembers were (a) networking and connection, (b) membership costs, and (c) value. Member only themes included: (a) awards and (b) motivation to join. Nonmember only themes included: (a) lack of information and functional understanding and (b) recruitment. Recommendations for future research revolve around determining specifics of motivation, how to create effective recruitment processes, and what specific ways agent’s value networking.