communication department

The following are descriptions of the membership categories offered to STC members for 2008. Please note that under the new dues structure approved by the Board of Directors in August 2007, the cost of each additional chapter membership (beyond what is included in a member’s respective membership package) is $25 per year, and each additional special interest group (SIG) membership (beyond what is included in a member’s respective membership package) is $10 per year. For more information about the new dues structure, please refer to “Q & A for Chapter Leaders: New Dues Structure” in the October Tieline.

Classic Membership

Classic membership entitles members to the hardcopy versions of Intercom and Technical Communication and access to their online versions, as well as full access to the online STC members-only knowledge base. Members in this category may choose one of the following community options for 2008: one chapter and one SIG, or up to three SIGs. Members in this category may join additional SIGs at a cost of $10 per SIG and additional chapters at a cost of $25 per chapter.

E-Membership

E-membership entitles members to the same benefits as classic membership, except that e-members do not receive hardcopies of Intercom and Technical Communication. Members in this category may choose one of the following community options for 2008: one chapter and one SIG, or up to three SIGs. E-members may join additional SIGs at a cost of $10 per SIG and additional chapters at a cost of $25 per chapter.

Student Membership

Student members receive the same benefits as e-members, but have no voting rights. In addition, student members may join up to three SIGs and up to two chapters (one student and one professional). Students may join additional SIGs at a cost of $10 per SIG and additional chapters at a cost of $25 per chapter.

Renewal Invoices to Be Mailed

Renewal invoices for the 2008 Society year will be mailed in December to all STC members who had not renewed their memberships online. For membership dues, STC accepts checks in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank, as well as payments made by American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. Dues payments should be received by February 28, 2008. Note that only members who have paid their dues by February 28, 2008, will be eligible to vote in the 2008 STC election.

The renewal invoices for 2008 allow members to choose one of the following individual membership categories: classic, e-membership, and student. The costs of these categories vary across the three tiers established by STC’s localized dues structure. For costs and other information relating to membership categories and localized dues, please see the STC Web site.

Prorated Dues for New Members

STC has adopted a new proration system that is much simpler than that used previously. New members who join STC between January 1 and June 30 pay full dues for membership through December 31. New members joining between July 1 and September 30 pay 50 percent of full dues for membership through December 31, and new members joining between October 1 and December 31 pay 25 percent of full dues for membership through December 31. (Please see the STC Web site for details.)

Other Rates for 2008

Members who did not receive a dues renewal invoice in November are those who joined STC on or after October 1, 2007, sustaining organizations, and Corporate Value Program (CVP) members. These members will receive invoices at a later date.

Confused?

If you have any questions about dues renewal, please contact the membership department; Lynn Anderson, Membership Manager; or Priscilla Weeks, Member Services Representative.