*Note: The following is from our archived collection of older documents, and may not reflect the most current information.

In the last months of 2003, the SLA Kentucky Chapter submitted a written proposal to the SLA Board of Directors for consideration of alternatives to the existing member dues structure.  Given declines in membership for the chapter and the economic struggles of the region, chapter officers believed that the time had come for SLA to consider its dues structure and determine if a better approach could be developed.

At the 2004 SLA Leadership Summit, the subject was discussed during a meeting of the SLA Chapter Cabinet.  Many opinions were expressed, and the Chapter Cabinet agreed to recommend that the SLA Board conduct a thorough investigation into the case for a new dues system and what options might be appropriate for SLA.

Coordinating with SLA staff, members of the SLA Finance Committee researched SLA?s dues history, identified practices in other associations, and considered economic factors that affect members? ability to pay dues and impact the association?s operations.  The goal of the endeavor was to ensure flexibility for members and ensure that SLA programs, services, and initiatives can continue to provide value for the member?s investment.

At the 2005 SLA Leadership Summit, the Finance Committee presented two options for the Chapter and Division Cabinets to consider: a graduated dues system based on member income, and a dues system tied to the rate of inflation in the United States. While the cabinets expressed opposition to the latter proposal, they also asked for consideration of a system that was related to, but different from, the proposed graduated dues system.

In June, the Finance Committee presented its final recommendation to the Board, which called for a two-tier dues system for full members, whereby those earning less than US$35,000 in annual salary would pay $99 per year in dues to SLA; those earning $35,000 or more in annual salary would pay $160 per year in dues to SLA.  Seeing that the Finance Committee had achieved the dual goals of flexibility for members and a stronger financial picture for the Association, the SLA Board approved the dues restructuring plan.

Because the approved plan increases dues by more than 12 percent for those earning $35,000 or more in annual salary, the membership must approve an amendment to the SLA bylaws that would eliminate the 12 percent cap on dues.  The Board requested that a vote of the qualified voting membership be called as soon as possible, to ensure that the new dues system can be installed and in place by 1 January 2006.

The restructured dues system would:  a) lower the barriers for participation in SLA for new entrants to the profession, info pros living and working in less affluent economies, and part-time info pros; b) allow SLA to better meet the needs of members through the development of Click University, significant enhancements to the members only section of the SLA Web site, better technologies for member service, more research on the value of the profession, and creation of a compensation study that goes beyond salary. 

The Proposed Dues Structure and Unit Allotment System

If the new dues structure is approved, dues for full members earning less than US$35,000 in annual salary would decrease by $26; those members would pay $99 per year.  Dues for full members earning more than US$35,000 in annual salary would increase by $35; those members would pay $160 per year.  Student and retired member dues would remain at $35 a year.  Virtual member dues would remain at $65.  Organizational memberships would increase to $650 from the current $500. 

The fee for members to join an extra chapter or division would increase to $18 from the current $15.  The fee to join a caucus would remain $12. 

The proposed increase for those earning $35,000 or more is modest when inflation is taken into account.[1]

Dues have remained static for six years?since 1999?while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen more than 17 percent.  This change would simply allow SLA to catch up with inflation.  Dues have only been raised four times in the last 25 years ? 1999, 1995, 1986, and 1981.   

The proposed amendment leaves in place another bylaws provision that prohibits Board approved dues increases more frequently than three years.  If the proposal is approved, dues could not be increased again until 2009 at the earliest. 

Changes to the Unit Allotment System