Colleagues-- I would do it (join and be a member) in a heart beat and NOT look back! Of course, I have been an NSPE and Texas PE member for many years. The ROI question is valid-- I believe that there are some intangible benefits---i.e., the lobbying effort, the awareness of various states effort as well as the "national" voice for the PE, as well as the voice of the professional licensed engineer. How do you put a price on that? I don't know-- and don't think that anyone else does either.
NSPE and the state societies watch the legislation carefully to be sure that if some jurisdiction is going to try and ram through some legislation to obviate the need to have a PE do a job, i.e., a city engineer, they seem to jump on it and fight hard.
I find the PE magazine a great read-- and we get 100 magazines at our firm every month-- I struggle mightily to get through all of them-- the PE magazine is an easy read and always has something that I find of value. Sadly, they took out the mathcounts problem several years ago, however, I did find fun in trying to solve a 7th grade math problem. Most of the time, easy, however, sometimes, it took some doing!
I have attended and participated in the TSPE state conference the last 2 years that we have been back in Texas. By far, this has been one of the best conferences that I attend. The material, by design, is NOT technical in nature, but adds to the skill set of the engineer. Material like social media usage, state legislation that effects PE's, communication skill development. OK, you say, not important to you. Well, don't pass so rapidly. I have had the good fortune to have conducted and participated in LOTS of training, however, have found that what TSPE puts on is as good, if not better than, what I have paid much more in other venues.
These groups need younger members. At the TSPE conference a couple of weeks ago in San Antonio, I am sure that the youngest member was 29, and the next youngest member was 66. These groups are trying a hundred different ways to find real relevance with new engineers today. If you have an idea, you should share with them, irrespective of where you are located.
The networking benefits are great-- in today's world, the membership dues, albeit about $350 is significant, however, I think well worth it. As I have stated before, one never knows what tomorrow will bring. Knowing folks, knowing that some society folks are working hard to protect the license that you have worked so hard to earn is well worth the fee.
Now, if the program is NOT GOING how you think it should, jump in and help. Trust me, all of these groups are seeking and wanting new blood with fresh, creative and innovative ideas. None of this is hard, if you are seeking some leadership opportunities, this is a great place to begin. It does make good resume fodder, you get to meet new folks that you would never have met and you do some things that you may not have done before.
Now, is my thinking old school? No, don't think so-- however, these groups are only as good as the members involved. Get involved and make a real difference. You will NOT regret the time that you spend-- trust me here.