In an effort to improve our membership process, the SMDM Board has voted to move the membership cycle to one based on the calendar year, beginning in January 2012. Over the last decade we had been on an anniversary based membership cycle - a choice based on administrative needs of the time. We have made this change because both times have changed and we have learned that the calendar year renewal is more beneficial for our members and for the Society.

This decision was not taken lightly as we know this will impact all of our members.
Some of the benefits of this conversion include:

• the ability for members to renew either at the annual meeting or to renew at the end of the year, whichever is preferable;
• SMDM renewal cycle will mirror that of many other similar societies making it easier for members to remember and coordinate their own societal and fiscal responsibilities;
• SMDM as a society will save on administrative and accounting expenses; and
• the calendar cycle will allow SMDM to plan and budget more effectively.

The Board takes their fiscal and service responsibilities to the Society seriously and believes this move will allow it to provide both better service to its members and to keep a closer eye on the financial well being of the organization.

You will start to notice a change in January as the administrative office starts invoicing members for the remainder of the 2012 dues. For example, if your membership is due to expire in June; you will only be invoiced for half of the year to cover the period from July - December.

Once you have paid the remainder of your 2012 fees, your expiration date will be changed to December 31, 2012. After you renew through December 31, 2012, you will receive a full year renewal notice at the end of the year when we start the first full calendar year renewal for 2013.

If your membership is due to expire in December you will not be affected by this change and should complete the regular renewal form.

• Click here to email the office for a partial year renewal form and/or to verify your 2012 expiration date.