Networking Groups Are Not Created Equally

I am not one for typically writing a bad review on anyone or any business.  This incident however, I just cannot shake and cannot walk away quietly.  While I will remain professional and not mention any names or groups, I will discuss the egregious manner in which I was subjected. I was invited to a well-know networking group last week.  I have known of these groups for some time yet was never able to find a group that would work within my schedule and have an opening in my area of work. I was excited to attend the meeting and to see what it was all about. Unfortunately I was immediately met in hostility and with a bullying tactic by one of the members who is in the same industry as myself yet I was there in the commercial aspect and she represented the residential.  I was told that this is common in these groups and that as professionals, we would only speak of our particular area during the group meetings.  There were many other professions such as insurance, attorneys, nutrition-based companies, etc. that were in the group of whom many had cross-over areas of specialties. During my "interview" which was set up by two of the members on the committee for new members, this particular young lady came blazing in at the beginning of the interview.  She immediately sat down and began grilling me on what I was going to do for her?  She took it a step further to say that she did not approve of my references and demanded me to produce another reference to give to her right there on the spot.  Both of my references by the way were top-not people who are well respected in our community. I felt badly for the other two members who had set up my interview as they looked as shocked as I felt.  I literally sat there being "questioned" about my business, my website, my Linked In account, etc. as this person basically was calling me a liar.  In fact, she did report to the powers that be that I was being untruthful in my interview! I have my concerns about a group run like this:1.  What happened to the guidelines and the protocol for this organization?  2.  Why was one member allowed to basically come in and rake a potential member over the coals?3.  Why is my cross-over such a big concern as there are dozens of examples of cross-over in the entire      group? Based on most networking groups that I know of there is a basic code of:ProfessionalismCare and compassionA "We" mentality rather than a "Me" mentality What is truly comes down to is a "member" who is insecure in their own profession and feeling "threatened" by another.  I have been a member of my community for over 30 years and have built a solid reputation.  Perhaps this is a sign that after all of these years as to why I haven't joined a group such as this before. Life is precious and short.  I know that I simply do not have the time nor the energy to waste on small minded, insecure people.  Sadly, this young woman who has not even been in her profession a year yet, could have learned a lot from another member with a track record.  Those of you in my profession know too that it is a tough business.  We know how important it is to work well together, to help one another and to support one another. I  believe that this young woman will be learning some tough lessons along the way due to her attitude and her tactics.  Ultimately we know that organizations crumble when members go outside of the guidelines and control a group.  Many of them end up in the picture depicted above.  How sad for the other members who are good, honest and hard working folks. So there you have it!  I know that there are many, many wonderful networking groups that do follow the rules, are fair and not "me" centered!  I feel so much better getting this off of my chest! No, not all networking groups are created equally!       "Have you fully lived today?" Paula L. McDonald ~ REALTOR® Broker ~ The Woodlands, Texas 936-203-0279 Direct Selling The Woodlands real estate and surrounding areas! Paula@ChevauxGroup.com               Copyright 2015 Paula McDonald