Q. Why are you raising the dues and eliminating the fees?
A. The change to the all-inclusive dues structure was made to offer members the broadest, most diverse opportunities to explore the professional rehabilitation field and see how it best suits them. The change will also simplify the process of joining IARP and renewing one’s membership dues. What’s more, nearly one-third of members will pay less than last year. The balance of members will pay a slight increase in dues, the first increase in 3 ½ years. The new annual dues effective July 1, 2015 are $225.
Q. Will my chapter dues also be increased?
A. Each chapter sets its own dues. No chapter has given notice of increasing its dues.
Q. With my dues payment will I automatically be enrolled in all sections?
A. No, you will not be automatically enrolled in all sections, but the process is straightforward. You simply need to log onto IARP Connect, select Communities from the main navigation, then select Communities I Can Join. You will be presented with a list of communities, including Section communities you are eligible to join. Next to each community is a Join button. Once you click the Join button, you will be prompted to choose how you would like to receive community notifications. You can choose to receive them real-time or as a daily digest. You can also choose not to receive any email notifications.
Q. If I am already in a section and do not want to join any other section, do I have to do anything?
A. No.
Q. What is the advantage of having access to any or all the IARP Discussion Groups?
A. The exchange of information among members that takes place in the discussion groups is an unparalleled member benefit. For example, there are over 25,000 discussions in the Section communities alone. You will now have instant access to these growing knowledge banks. No other place provides members access to the vast reservoir of intellectual capital about the rehabilitation field that occurs daily (sometimes minute-by-minute) in the IARP discussion groups that take place online.
Q. What if my dues expire in May or June 2015…will I be charged $40 to join an additional section?
A. Your dues invoice for May or June will show that the $40 charge has been zeroed out and you do not have to pay an additional $40 for joining or rejoining a section.
Q. I am interested in learning more about the Social Security Vocational Experts section, but I understand I can only join the section if I have a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with the Social Security Administration. Nonetheless, may I still participate in the SSVE Discussion Group through IARP Connect without a BPA?
A. Membership in the IARP Social Security Vocational Experts section and its Discussion Group is open only to those who hold a BPA. IARP will offer a separate IARP Discussion Group, effective July 1, 2015, for those who are interested in learning more about how to acquire a BPA and how to learn the basics of this particular professional career path.
Q. How do I get involved in this discussion about acquiring at BPA?
You will have an opportunity to join the new discussion group through IARP Connect
Q. How are associate member dues affected by the new all-inclusive structure?
A. Associate members will also benefit by the all-inclusive dues structure. Associate members are free to join any section of interest -- no section fees required. Dues for associate members are $175, also effective July 1, 2015.
Q. Why did IARP make this change in dues structure?
A. For many years the IARP staff and board have sought ways to provide members with greater access to the rich education and professional network IARP offers. The all-inclusive and simplified dues structure addresses this need. A single dues payment provides members for the first time with immediate access to all areas of the professional rehabilitation practice today. Simply, it swings open wide the doors for members to learn, expand practices, discuss issues, identify potential mentors and build relationships throughout the entire IARP membership.
Q. How can I justify paying more for dues after July 1, 2015
A. Although the dues will be higher, the benefits are greater. Choosing which section to join became problematic with the additional charge of $40 per section. This “no fees change” benefits those members who are exploring other rehab avenues, reaching out to new networks of other professionals, and increasing their knowledge base.
Q. Will opening the IARP Discussion Groups to all sections weaken the section structure itself?
A. To the contrary. IARP is underwriting advanced leadership training for all its section leaders to strengthen the viability and vitality of the sections.
Q. How does the all-inclusive dues program fit with the new brand IARP introduced two years ago?
A. With this move to an all-inclusive dues structure and allowing access to almost all sections, IARP continues to embrace our new brand. By eliminating the barriers between sections and discussion groups, members can further leverage the intellectual capital of IARP's members and develop a sense of other practice areas because as we know The Course of a Lifetime Starts with IARP®.