USING THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ASSOCIATIONS

 

Directories are valuable sources of information about trade and professional associations, social welfare and public affairs groups, labor unions, fraternal and patriotic organizations, religious, sports, and hobby groups.

 

Directories provide an alphabetical and keyword index for easy location.  The listing gives the name, address, and phone number, purpose, official publications, and other information.  These directories may be found in some media centers, at the Howard County Library, and electronically.

 

In this activity, you will look through the subject listings and develop a list of at least five associations to write or call for more information.  You will then follow up by completing a telephone interview sheet or writing a standard business letter to the listings you select.  Remember, you need 10 organizations for the business letter assignment.

 

Name of Organization:

 

Address:

 

Telephone number:

 

Email address (if available):

 

Web site (describe if available):

 

Number of members:

 

Title of publication(s):

 

Purpose of organization:

 

What information might this organization provide you that would help in your search?

 

 

 

You can also look at the Encyclopedia of Associations online.  Follow the following instructions from school:

  1. Go to http://web.hcpss.org/~kzellner and click “Use the Databases.”
  2. Select Infotrac.
  3. This resource is located in the “Gale Directory Library Link.”
  4. Type your keyword into the search field, and click the radio button that says,  “Keyword” and “Include both current and backfile directories.”
  5. Run your search!

 

If you’re doing this from home, you’ll need a password to access Infotrac.  It is gators.