As an individual:
Personal membership with ASPIRE, Inc. is available and renewable on an annual basis. The membership year for this type of membership coincides with the annual conference. The membership year always begins with the start of the annual conference, and is payable before checking in for the event.
Personal membership provides the individual with a discounted registration rate to attend state and regional conferences, and they are entered into the ASPIRE e-mail mailing list, providing them a communication source with the region as a whole.
Payments for personal membership are not allowable through grant funds, though institutions may choose to pay this fee through institutional or indirect funds.
There are multiple levels of membership for individuals based on the type of work they do, or their connection with the region.
Professional Membership is available to persons employed full-time or part-time in TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access type programs located in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming. Professional membership is also available to any person that maintained ASPIRE Professional Membership for a minimum of 10 years, and is now retired from the position they held within TRIO programs during their ASPIRE membership period. Each Professional Member is entitled to one vote and is eligible to hold any office within the association.
Current cost: $70 per year ($35 for first year members)
Associate Membership is available to persons meeting either of the following two criteria: (1) employed in a clerical/support staff position within a TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access type program located in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah or Wyoming; (2) persons employed full-time or part-time in TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access programs locate in states which are not included in the ASPIRE, Inc. region. Each Associate Member is entitled to one vote, and may serve on committees, but may hold no office in the association or serve on the Board of Directors.
Current cost: $50 per person ($25 for first year members)
Emeritus Membership is available to any person that has maintained ASPIRE Professional membership for a minimum of 10 years, and is now retired from the position they held within TRIO programs during their ASPIRE membership period. Each Emeritus Member is entitled to one vote, and may serve on committees, but may hold no office in the association or serve on the Board of Directors.
Current cost: Free
Affiliate and Alumni Membership is available to any individual not employed in a TRIO, GearUp, or other educational opportunity/equal access program in the ASPIRE, Inc. region, who generally supports the mission, goals, and objectives of ASPIRE, Inc., and has an active concern for TRIO students. Each Friends and Alumni Member may have voice, but no vote, and may not hold office in the association.
Current cost: $30
TRIO Participant Membership is available to any current TRIO participant in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming not currently employed by a TRIO or GearUp program, who generally supports the purposes, goals, and objectives of ASPIRE, Inc., and has an active concern for TRIO students. Each Participant Member may have voice, but no vote, and may hold no office in the association.
Current cost: $10
As a TRIO Program:
ASPIRE Project Membership provides a project the opportunity to support the region and receive training benefits for staff at the regional level. Prior to the regional annual conference, pre-conference workshops are offered with a cost of at least $100 per person. Staff from a project with a paid project membership for the year may attend these workshops at no cost.
The payment for a project membership with grant funds is allowable according to OMB Circular A-21, J-33.
Current cost: $200
Project Membership Year: September 1 through August 31.
