Memberships and Non-Memberships
Strangely, experts are often judged not only by the company they keep but also by the company they do not keep. Some experts judge others as less for not keeping company with themselves, so they refuse the company of others as proof others are inferior. Being self-deluded that snobbery is superiority, they can honestly testify under oath to the self-created label of eminence. Sadly, some attorneys and even judges have believed such self-interested and self-validated conceits.
It is one thing to desire to keep such company, and quite another thing to be wise enough not to care for it but be condemned for showing good social and professional judgment. Happily, I stand so condemned by individuals whose personal and professional opinions hold no value for me, except that I would be concerned for my integrity and competence if I were to receive their approbation. Witnessing the performance of their highly self- and mutually touted excellence, I find they often fail in essential details, being vulnerable to a skilled cross-examiner who benefits by an incisive critique from a no-nonsense consultant. Bear in mind that true excellence is based on performance, not on repetitive braggadocio and long running P.R.
This then is part, but only part, of the background as to why I am privileged to be a member of certain groups and have no desire to be a member of others. The pages linked below address groups I do and do not belong to. Bear in mind every group has excellent people along with the usual human range of less than excellent. Good manners and good sense both dictate we take each individual individually. Additionally, everyone we meet can teach us something we would not otherwise know, at least by the mistakes they make that warn us to avoid the same mistakes.
National Association of Document Examiners
This is my principal professional organization.
This page briefly introduces other organizations I belong to and why I value them.
I believe it is as important to show justice as to why we do not keep certain company as to why we keep other company. Also, it is necessary to recognize the value in all.