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ABSTRACT: Approve an ASHA membership dues/fees increase beginning in 2005.
RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) increase annual dues for certified members by an $11 increase to $200 per year with an effective date of January 1, 2005; and further
RESOLVED, That other dues/fees classifications are adjusted as follows:
Non-member certificate holders increase by $11 to $174 per year
Spouse members increase by $11 to $145 per year
Graduate Student members increase by $11 to $120 per year
Members without certification increase by $4 to $75 per year
Life members increase by $3 to $57 per year
RATIONALE: ASHA has had the same member dues for three years (2002–2004). The Association has been able to continue operating without an operating fund deficit primarily due to increased revenue from an increased membership, growing non-dues revenue, and strenuous cost-cutting measures. These cost-cutting measures have included the elimination of two programs (PSB and SLP-A), reducing the funding available for the development of a new public information campaign, increasing the length of time exempt staff positions are held vacant, suspending funding for Research in the Higher Education Mentoring project, reducing funding for Focused Initiatives, additional reductions of resources to other programs, and the curtailment of program enhancement and new program development.
Continuation of the trend of reducing resources to programs will jeopardize the effectiveness of ASHA programs, outreach, and services to members. An $11 dues increase will permit the Association to cover the deficit of $936,000 projected for 2005 (in the absence of a dues increase) and have a 1% excess of revenue over expense, a minimal, but necessary margin for a budget of our size in order to help assure that we continue to operate within a balanced (i.e., non-deficit) budget. (According to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Operating Ratio Report, 10th edition, the average association percent excess of revenue over expense for all respondents is 5.7%, with a median of 7.7%.) Passage of this resolution will demonstrate reasonable and responsible budgeting and sound financial management, and permit ASHA‘s budget to support the conduct of Association business.
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