AITP Leadership Resources



Getting your Money's Worth: Paying National AITP Dues


By Russ Finney
1999 Austin Chapter President

June 1999

In order to be a member in good standing of our Association, each of us is required to pay $80 per year dues to our national organization. In addition, most chapters charge a modest surcharge to cover local expenses (Austin AITP charges $30 per year).

Each of our local chapters is chartered by our national association. Because of this, each chapter is required to pass local bylaws and standing rules which are in compliance with our national AITP standards and ethics.

Without these dues and bylaws, we would not be able to exist as a national non-profit Association. Our chapters would simply be local computer clubs. And we would not be AITP.

So what are we really getting in return for these national and local dues?

And what benefits should we realistically expect for our paying these membership fees?

A Motivation for Joining

In order to answer these questions, I'll do it from a personal perspective. Currently, I am the US Director of Information Systems for Tokyo Electron America (a global Japanese high technology company). As an IT corporate professional, my motivation for being a member of a national association such as AITP is the ongoing access to information, contacts, credibility, and learning which advances my career and enhances my current job performance. In addition, the opportunity to contribute directly back to my local community through involvement and leadership in a local chapter is important to me.

A key IT vendor or service representative probably has similar goals in mind from an AITP membership . He or she my be seeking a credible community gathering which provides qualified networking opportunities, continuing education, and civic involvement.

An IT educator may also have related objectives. He or she may be making important professional contacts, seeking companies to support academic programs, and promoting educational programs and graduates to prospective employers.

Each IT professional's unique needs should be considered within our Association's benefits package.

Benefits for the Bucks?

Considering that I can easily pay $2,000 for one week of technology training, $80 a year seems like a bargain to me if the local chapter and the national association can deliver on my expectations month after month.

So what are some reasonable expectations from AITP?

Minimum from the local chapter:

Minimum from the Regional organization:

Minimum from the National AITP Headquarters and ABoD:

So how does AITP measure up? In terms of scope of delivery, I'd easily say that AITP is worth the eighty bucks a year cost. The lists above show the wide range of programs AITP is delivering to all of us.

In terms of delivery of individual items, AITP has much needed improvements in front of it. Too many of the items I have listed are in a "status quo" state. Many need individual attention and revision. Some of the "desirable" programs I have listed are not even on anyone's radar screens.

For everyone to feel the real value of his or her membership dues, he or she must feel it on a personal level. We need to analyze our various unique member needs, align our programs to these needs, and then deliver them with excellence. AITP has a great foundation, we now need to rebuild upon our inherited base of quality services.

Please share your thoughts and comments regarding this feature. You can do so by posting to our AITP Members Forum or by writing me at webadmin@itmweb.com.

Copyright © 1999, Russ Finney, All Rights Reserved. Originally written for The Information Executive.



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