International Sliding Scale for Membership and Chapter Fees

• Policy of the Board of Directors
• Introduction
• Guidelines for Chapter Operations Outside North America
• Guidelines for Individual Member Fees and Service Outside North America
• Sliding Scale For Individuals Residing Outside North America
• International Monetary Fund Country Categories by Income

Policy of the Board of Directors
Sigma Theta Tau International is committed to the development of scholarship and professional excellence for members and chapters globally. To ensure this development, the organization believes in active involvement of members and chapters in an economically equitable and culturally sensitive manner.

Accordingly, individual members who reside and chapters which operate outside the U.S. are assessed annual dues on a sliding scale that is anchored in the World Bank classifications based on per capita income.

This policy applies to any inducted member, who regardless of national origin, resides outside the U.S.; any inducted member whose permanent residence is outside the U.S. but who is temporarily residing in the U.S.; and chapters and their members who are operating outside the U.S.

This policy will be evaluated biennially by the Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors as to financial implications for the organization and effectiveness of the guideline implementation process.


Introduction
Sigma Theta Tau International is privileged to have nurse scholar and leader members in more than 90 countries and territories outside the United States.

The Society’s commitment to being truly international in scope is demonstrated in several initiatives. These include the sponsorship of international research conferences that attract international participants, the establishment of guidelines for the induction of international nurse leaders, publications that reflect the international orientation of the Society, the development of the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library that is both accessible and useful to nurses worldwide, and surveys to identify the needs of members located outside North America.

The Society’s interest in chapter and member development outside North America is reflected in the June 1989 "Statement on the Policy Implications of Sigma Theta Tau Becoming International in Scope," which states that the approach to international chapter development should be one of responsiveness. Thus, the establishment of a society chapter by nursing leaders outside North America is a collaborative effort.

Given the emerging prominence of the nursing profession worldwide and the role of Sigma Theta Tau International in facilitating the international exchange of nursing knowledge, the Society continues to increase its interest in the establishment of chapters outside North America. While international chapter development brings richness and diversity to the organization, it also poses challenges.



Guidelines for Chapter Dues and Services

A. Dues
The due structure for chapters has been set according to World Bank classifications based on per capita income designated as low, middle and high. (see Sliding Scale).

In countries where it is not feasible to use the standard method of collecting dues and/or to eliminate the risk incurred by exchange rate influctions, chapters may collect dues in their country’s currency. The international portion of dues will be sent to Headquarters in U.S. currency.

All dues paid to Headquarters, either by individual members or chapters, will be calculated in U.S. currency.

B. Services

All chapters, regardless of location, will have the same opportunities including the ability of their chapter membership to run for international office, apply for research grants, access the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library, etc. Some services, however, may be different in order to accommodate the unique situation existing in different countries. For example:

1. Chapters may be responsible for sending their own renewal notices and collecting their own dues.
2. Headquarters may send mailings in bulk quantity to the chapter, which then will assume responsibility for distribution to members.
3. Jewelry for the Society may be created by a licensed supplier, approved by the Society, in each country where a chapter exists.
4. Chapters and members outside the U.S. may be responsible for additional taxes and customs fees on merchandise orders.

Guidelines for Individual Member Dues & Service

A. Member Benefits
Once inducted, the individual will receive all member benefits.

B. Dues
The fee structure for members outside the U.S. will be set according to World Bank classifications based on per capita income designated as low, middle and high. (see Sliding Scale).

All dues paid to Headquarters, either by individual members or chapters, will be calculated in U.S. currency.



Sliding Scale For Individual International Membership Fees

The number of members for a year is determined by the number of active members in a chapter as of June 30 of that year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When do chapters have to pay this fee?
A: Chapters do not have to send any money back to Sigma Theta Tau International. All fees and assessments will be deducted from the renewal fee disbursement in September issued by Sigma Theta Tau International to each chapter.

Q: How often will these adjustments be made?
A: Only once per biennium, if at all.

If you wish to speak to someone at Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters please contact the Constituent Center at 888.634.7575 (US/Canada toll free), + 1.317.634.8171 (International) or chapserv@stti.iupui.edu.

For more details about what the fee covers and the fee amounts, please visit http://www.nursingsociety.org/chapters/chapfin_main.html

World Bank Country Categories by Income

LOW

MIDDLE

HIGH

An exception has been approved to charge Taiwan residents US$46 as the
international membership fee for 2009.
Updated July 2008 based on Country GNI for 2007 per World Bank; effective until July 2009.