One of the most interesting observations in this week’s issue of The Rub is that Australian investors like to do their own research and also like to monitor the performance of their investments themselves.

It is well known that only a minority of investors consult a financial planner regularly.

But at the same time investors’ biggest worry is figuring out what to invest in, which Investment Trends found in its latest survey of SMSF trustees.

So, investors want to be in control and self-directed but worry that they are, in reality, neither of those things.

One way out of this situation might be to join a member association, such as the Australian Shareholders’ Association or the SMSF Association.

The ASA is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that represents retail investors. It meets their needs with a range of publications, guides, seminars and an online forum.

It is also an advocate for shareholders’ rights, raising issues at annual general meetings and voting proxies.

The SMSFA is better known as an organisation for professionals in the self-managed superannuation market but over the past year or so it has established a division for SMSF trustee members.

Its services include education modules, updates, regular webinars and online tools.

SMSFA chief executive John Maroney, who has been in the job since the start of this month, says one of the association’s goals is to build its trustee membership base and it is putting resources into that side of its activities.

“We are looking at ways to build a community and have dialogue through a range of events and services,” Maroney says.

“We think there is growing interest and a lot of potential.”

In July the SMSFA will host a series of technical days for professionals around the country, starting in Sydney on July 18. The association is planning a hands-on day where delegates will work through a conference workbook.