When considering membership in the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) there are many potential benefits. Educational opportunities lead the list.  Reading the Association's professional journals will keep one up to date on the latest developments in the field.  For networking there are currently 24 professional divisions, special interest groups, and action groups that produce important information in the field and in which you are invited to participate.  A geographic structure provides additional networking opportunities on a regional and state level.  AAIDD membership automatically makes one a member of the Texas chapter and the 6-state Region V.  The Student and Early Career Professionals group offers career and networking links to assist new members in the field to make important contacts.  All members can access a Career Center in which one can post or search for a job.  Members-only web forums and electronic newsletters are available.  As a financial benefit members receive discounts on book store purchases (the Association publishes some of the leading books in the field), webinar courses, and convention registration.

 

There are a variety of membership categories that can make joining more financially reasonable.  Students receive a 20% discount for any membership category.  The annual dues for the Basic membership are $75.  This includes access to an electronic version of one of the two longstanding journals, the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).  All members will also have access to a new journal, the electronics-only Inclusion, as well as the web forums and discounts mentioned above.  Members in this and the other categories can hold office and vote in AAIDD elections.  A Classic membership (electronic access to both longstanding journals) is $125.   The Standard category, which includes hard copies of the journals, is $175.  A Premium category, which includes special gifts of Association books, is $250.  A Corporate membership for $595 is also available, with a Premium membership for the CEO and 20% discounts for the memberships of an unlimited number of employees. On-line or printable membership registration is available at www.aaidd.org.

 

The current Texas chapter membership includes as its largest membership category the Basic group, with 64 members.  Next are those in the Standard group (40 members).  The Classic group has 26 members.  There are 3 Premium members.  Finally, there are 21 members who are in the Emeritus category.  The 21 individuals in this category have been continuous members of the Association for 30+ years.  This latter group no longer pays dues and has electronic access to all Association materials.  Something to look forward to!  

 

Although the Association has over 3,000 members from over 55 countries, our current Texas membership is only 154.  This is lower than in previous years.  The Texas chapter is seeking ideas about how to increase the membership.  If you have any ideas or recommendations, or would be willing to serve on the Membership Committee, please contact me or our Texas Association Manager.