The NASW Board of Directors voted at its June meeting to increase new and renewing associate membership dues, bringing them in line with regular member dues.

As of Oct. 1, annual associate member dues will increase to $190, the same amount a regular member pays.

The associate membership is open to anyone currently employed in a social work capacity (not self-employed or group private practice) who holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.

Associate members are eligible for all rights and privileges of regular members, except they may not hold national elective office with NASW. They can vote in NASW national elections after five years of continuous membership.

At its meeting, the board also voted to discontinue NASW’s Gold Card membership for those not yet eligible as of Oct. 1.

Members who already have achieved Gold Card status will continue to hold the designation. Gold Card membership has been open to NASW members who have 25 years or more of continuous membership and are 65 or older. Longstanding members who have retired fully from practice have the opportunity to change their status to the lower retired rate, which the Board considered a reasonable way to support longterm members and continue to provide a high level of member benefits.

Get more information about NASW membership.