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At its recent meeting, the av¸£ÀûÉç Executive Committee discussed and internalized the feedback we’ve received from many of our members about how very difficult their lives are right now. This is an unprecedented time with multiple tragedies unfolding on a daily basis, and we would like to help ease the financial burdens of our members who have been most affected by job loss, a shrinking job market, and other personal and professional difficulties. In response to the challenges of our times, av¸£ÀûÉç is reducing membership rates for some individual membership categories and is creating new categories of membership that carry reduced fees. We hope these changes will help you continue to benefit from your professional network and organization at a time when you most need them.

The changes in membership structure and rates began on August 1, 2020, and are being introduced on a trial basis for two years until July 31, 2022. At that point, we will reevaluate the changes.

The new membership categories are designed to reduce the cost of membership for those with constrained finances, while continuing to carry full benefits including access to Jav¸£ÀûÉç Online, the Jav¸£ÀûÉç Archive, the annual conference, av¸£ÀûÉçARA, fellowships, and live and recorded versions of all av¸£ÀûÉç CONNECTS online programs. The new categories and adjusted rates include the following:

Graduate Student membership has been reduced by 23% from $65 to $50 annually.

A new Individual Reduced Rate membership, down by 55%, from $145 to $65, will be for individuals who are working independently or at an institution or company without full-time employment. This includes adjunct and contingent faculty who experience precarious employment, and part-time and unemployed workers.

A new Individual Retired/Emeritus rate membership, down by 55% from $145 to $65, will be for professionals who are 65+ and who have retired on a reduced income.

All member categories still have the option to add the printed journal for an additional $10.

Individual, Joint, Professional Associate and Upper-Level membership rates, which have not increased since 2018, will remain at the current level for the next two years. Life and Benefactor membership dues will each increase by $100.

Finally, for those who want to participate in the activities of the av¸£ÀûÉç Affiliate Groups only, without the full benefits of av¸£ÀûÉç membership, av¸£ÀûÉç has created a special Affiliate av¸£ÀûÉç which will give individuals complete access to all av¸£ÀûÉç Affiliate Groups as well as access to where much of the work of the Affiliates Groups will be centered. The Affiliate av¸£ÀûÉç rate is $25 annually. Current av¸£ÀûÉç members are also welcome to join av¸£ÀûÉç Affiliate Groups at no additional cost.

The  has further details and a full list of member benefits. We sincerely hope that you will find a welcome home at av¸£ÀûÉç and that you will continue to be active in av¸£ÀûÉç and this engaging field of study.

Best wishes,

Pauline Saliga, av¸£ÀûÉç Executive Director
Victoria Young, av¸£ÀûÉç President

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