Jim Covel, President
and
Tim Merriman, Executive Director
National Association for Interpretation (NAI) dues will be undergoing an adjustment in January 2009. That’s a statement we do not enjoying making, but the realities of the rising costs of doing business each year make it necessary. We have raised dues only twice in the past 20 years and must now consider how to build regular increases into our planning to avoid further disparity between membership income and the costs of service delivery. Individual rates will go up $5 in most categories and a more simple membership structure is being implemented.
Entry (first year only – was Associate Membership) $50
Student $25
Professional Basic (Legacy/Interpreter, NAI Now, Regional Newsletter) $60
Professional Plus (Legacy/Interpreter, Journal, NAI Now, Reg. & Sect.) $80
Professional Family (an additional Section and vote) $95
Senior Professional (same as Pro Basic or Plus with $25 discount) $35/$55
Life Membership $1500
Institutional Basic $225
Institutional Plus $350
Commercial Basic $350
Commercial Plus $1000
We will continue to work to improve services while providing benefits that make membership more valuable. To save on mailing and printing costs, the Interpreter Magazine will be published as part of Legacy in 2009 instead of being a separate publication. This and other cuts in the budget will save $125,000 for 2009 and help us to keep expenses more aligned with income.
By October 31, 2008, membership in NAI grew to a new high of 5,540, almost 10% growth since the same date in 2007. Membership Services brought in 20% of NAI revenue in 2007 at $309,636, but servicing those memberships amounted to 48% of total expense at $767, 285. We rely on profits from training, store sales and other areas to offset the $457,649 deficit for providing member services. As you can see by the following chart, member services have grown considerably over the past 14 years, but revenue to support them has not grown at the same rate.
1995
Legacy Magazine
Jobs via free hotline
Regional Workshops
National Workshop
Member Directory
Regional/Section Newsletters
Professional Awards
Regional rebates only
Interpretive Management Institute
Scholarships
2008
Legacy Magazine
Interpretunities (jobs online)
Regional Workshops
National Workshop
Member Directory online
Regional/Section Newsletters
Professional Awards
Regional and Section Rebates
Interpretive Management Institute
Scholarships
Journal of Interpretation Research
NAI Now online newsletter monthly
www.interpnet.com
Association Store
InterpPress books
Member Forum online
Annual Report
Annual Audit
Media Awards
International Conference
International Volunteer Program
International Ecotour
International Affiliates (NAI China, NAI Korea, NAI Greece)
The Interpreter Magazine
Toll-free phone line
Training Courses
Certification Credentials – six categories
Certification Scholarships
www.onlinelegacy.org
www.onlinenaturecenters.org (Beta test Dec. 2008)
Advocacy for No Child Left Inside
Certification has grown steadily as a revenue stream but we currently use the $141,000 in surplus funds it produces to support general member services, instead of specifically using it to improve management of certification processes.
In an uncertain economy we know that you may have to make hard choices in your personal and professional lives. We hope that the value NAI provides in keeping each of you engaged in important conversations about professionalism will help you cope with this changing economic and political landscape. When times are tough, we need more personal tools to grow and change in our profession. We hope you will stay involved in the NAI professional family and continue to contribute as a volunteer, a leader and a donor as you are able. We are all in this together. Your comments are always welcome.
