Here's another win-win combination that will increase membership and support AFS financially. How about sponsoring an individual's first year of AFS membership by paying their dues?

Many young technicians, students and interns are unaware of AFS or are on a shoestring budget and consider annual dues prohibitive. You or your organization can help by paying their dues to help them get started in AFS. Once they see the benefits of AFS membership, they are likely to continue on their own.

What are the Benefits to the New Member?

New members in AFS will find a wealth of benefits that enhance their professional development. Some of the benefits are:

Who can be a sponsor?

Any individual or organization can support this program by paying the first year dues. Possible sponsors include:

AFS Chapters or Divisions can stimulate sponsorship by instituting this program into their activities. Competition with recognition or prizes for the most sponsorships can be established to encourage participation.

What are the Benefits to the Sponsor?

As an active AFS member or an organization or business who supports healthy fisheries and fisheries-based economies, your sponsorship benefits both AFS and professional fisheries biology by:

What are the Benefits to AFS as a Whole?

AFS depends on a strong membership base, both financially and by increasing the number of volunteers for AFS activities. Sponsoring new memberships will:

How to Become a Sponsor

Simply fill out a membership form with the individual's name and address and send it in with payment for their annual dues.

This program is patterned after a program initiated in 1999 by the Alaska Chapter, originally conceived by Carol Ann Woody.