By now you’ve probably read the email from Cindy Currie, current STC International President. Yep, the dues went up, and considerably more than they have in the past with less value than the previous base membership. Not good news for many of us, and wonderful fodder for the STC President’s listserv.
Personally, I’m going to write a check for STC (215), plus chapter (25), plus one SIG (10) for a grand total of $250 ( about 62.5 lattes or 50 Guiness.) Yes, that’s a considerable increase over last year, approximately 75%, but for me it’s worth it. Although I’ve worked hard for the Phoenix Chapter ever since I moved to the Valley of the Sun, I’ve reaped more in jobs, friends, and personal satisfaction. It’s a price I’m willing to pay.
Now, how does STC new dues structure hold up to other organizations? That question was nicely answered by Bob Dianetti, a member of the Acron, Ohio area chapter. Quoting Bob:
“The following is a listing, with dues costs, of other professional organizations that are similar to STC which I belong to. Perhaps this
analysis puts STC’s dues structures into a little more perspective:
“ASTD International dues are $180.00. That doesn’t include local membership. I belong to two chapters, one of which costs $45 per year,
and the other $85 per year. They have various add-ons also such as webinar series, and InfoLine which costs an additional $99.00 per year
which I don’t subscribe to. So – for ASTD, I pay $305.00. I get one magazine, and there are no SIGS available.
“ASTD does allow you to join a local chapter only without joining the international. Each local is a separate entity and receives no money or
other support from the international, but international will collect the dues for them and pass it through to them. Last I knew, ASTD had 35,000 international members and 45,000 local only
members.
“As far as IABC, they had a $9/year increase this year, the international dues are:
- Tier A countries: from USD$226 to USD$237 (plus chapter and region dues)
- Tier B countries: from USD$187 to USD$196 (plus chapter and region dues)
- Tier C countries: from USD$162 to USD$170 (plus chapter and region dues)
- Tier D countries: from USD$116 to USD$122 (plus chapter and region dues)
- Students and Retired Members: from USD$44 to USD$46
“My local membership is $83.00 per year, and I cannot join the local without joining the international. I can spread out payments over 4
quarters for $20.00 additional per year. The application fee for IABC is $40.00.
So, I pay $340 per year for international and local membership in IABC. A first-year member would pay $380.00. No SIGS and one magazine per month.
So, comparing the three, I pay:
- ASTD $265 (I’m only counting one chapter)
- IABC $380
- STC $245 (two magazines not one)
“STC has less expensive conferences, much more recognition opportunities, and many more SIGS to choose from. And – it is the least expensive.
“Other organizations I belong to:
- Sales and Marketing Executives: $350 per year – 6 newsletters and no magazine
- Society for Human Resource Management: $165 – one magazine, no chapter
- SHRM Cleveland Chapter: $100.00. $170 if you aren’t an international member
- Hudson, Ohio Chamber of Commerce: $275 per year – no magazine
- Greater Akron Chamber: $350.00 – no magazine
- Council on Smaller Enterprises (Cleveland) $500.00
- American Medical Writers Association – $145 per year, which includes no local chapter, and the worlds most boring professional journal.
“Hope this sheds some light on the topic.
“Regards,
“Bob Dianetti
“President
“Radcom, Inc.”
_____________________
What you decide to do regarding your STC membership is up to you. Take some time to evaluate the real cost of your membership.
Karen L. Zorn
President, STC Phoenix
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