the Cost of Professional Memberships and Organizations

I have a professional membership in a non-profit organization that promotes academic study in my field. The organization has multiple regional meetings throughout the year and one large annual meeting on a yearly basis. Also, they have a journal and newsletter that is distributed to all members of the association. Other services they offer include certain online resources like databases , job listing boards, and links to other relevant resources. Further, the organization sometimes offers funding for projects and these funds are available only to those who maintain membership in this organization.

Overall, the fee for this membership is a bargain. The value of the journal and newsletters alone are well worth this cost, if not more. Further, the meetings that they hold and sponsor are integral to my field of study and thus I feel that supporting this organization is important. The fact that they give money back to their members in the forms of grants etc. further substantiates their mission and makes me feel good about spending this petty sum to be a member.

Most professional organization offer discounted memberships to students and/or retirees. Sometimes they offer discounts to people in other categories. So, you should check into this before you sign up.