1. Are you a graduating student? Become a Member of ACHE

2. If you’ve never been an affiliate, ACHE’s member options are…  If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in health services administration or a related administrative field, become a Student Associate.  If you are currently a student but plan on graduating soon, become a full Member.

3. I’m a student and graduate next year, when should I join ACHE as a Student Associate?  Student Associate dues are pro-rated based on the month a person joins. If you join in the summer (July-August), you would pay $37.50 for the rest of the year and would be billed $75 in the fall for the next year. If you join in September 2010, you would pay $75 for September 2010 through December 2011. Here is the Student Associate dues structure:  January-June $75 (Full Student Dues)  July-August $37.50  September-December $75 (Payment will cover balance of the year and next year’s dues in full.)

4. I’m a student and graduate soon, when should I join ACHE as a full Member?  Member dues are pro-rated based on the month a person joins. If you join in May, you would pay $88 for the rest of the year and would be billed $150 in the fall for the next year. Here is the full Member dues structure:  January $138 July $63  February $125 August $50  March $113 September $150 ( Payment will cover balance of the year and next year’s dues in full.)  April $100 October $150 ( Payment will cover balance of the year and next year’s dues in full.)  May $88 November $150 ( Payment will cover balance of the year and next year’s dues in full.)  June $75 December $150 ( Payment will cover balance of the year and next year’s dues in full.)

5. I’m currently a Student Associate. How do I become a full Member?  Complete the Member application in the Join ACHE area or in the My ACHE area of ache.org. (You will need to login with your current ACHE User Name and Password.)  If you are currently a Student Associate, the application will be pre- populated with the information that we already have on file.  Your program director does not have to notify ACHE that you graduated since they attested to your graduation date when you joined.

6. I’m a bachelor’s student; when can I submit my application to transfer to full Member?  Immediately after graduation since a bachelor’s degree is required for ACHE Member status. I’m a master’s student; when can I submit my application to transfer to full Member?  Anytime throughout the year because you have a bachelor’s degree.

7. Q: I graduate in spring 2011; is there a cost to transfer to full Member? A: There is no cost to transfer to full Member if you paid your Student Associate dues for the year. For example: If you paid your 2011 Student Associate dues and graduate May 1, 2011, you can transfer May 2 or soon thereafter at no cost. Your $75 student dues payment will cover you for the rest of the year, even as you transfer to full Member. You will receive a $150 invoice in the fall to renew your full Member dues for 2012.

8. Q: I graduate in fall 2011; is there a cost to transfer to full Member? A: Beginning September 1, 2011, it costs $150 to transfer to full Member—this payment is for your 2012 dues. For example: If you paid your 2011 Student Associate dues and graduate August 31, 2011, when you transfer September 1 or through the end of the year, you are required to pay $150 for your 2012 dues.

9. Learn more about full Member benefits!

10. What are the full Member benefits?  Earn the distinction of board certification by earning your FACHE credential.  Receive complimentary subscriptions to ACHE's top-notch publications, including Healthcare Executive magazine AND your choice of either the Journal of Healthcare Management or Frontiers of Health Services Management (also accessible online).  Meet other ACHE affiliates through the online Affiliate Directory.  Participate in ACHE activities through local chapters. You are automatically a chapter member when you join ACHE.  Exclusive career resources such as ACHE’s online Job Bank and resume-posting service.  Reduced fees for ACHE’s continuing education programs.  Cutting-edge research studies.  A comprehensive Web site that includes affiliate-only services and online education.

11. When do my benefits begin?  If you apply online or fax the application, your benefits begin 5-7 days after your application is submitted.  If you mail a hard copy application, it can take 4-6 weeks after your application is submitted for your benefits to start. What added benefits do I receive as a full Member?  Ability to vote in Regent Elections.  Begin the accrual of Member tenure toward the three-year tenure Fellow requirement. (Student Associate years do not count toward the requirement.)  Access to Early Careerist Network benefits.  Ability to participate in ACHE’s Leader-to-Leader referral program.  Access to certain educational courses and career services.

12. Yes! You are automatically a chapter member when you join ACHE. Therefore, you get two memberships for the price of one. Am I a member of my local chapter of ACHE? Chapters are your local connection to ACHE!

13. Which chapter do I belong to? Find out which chapter you’re a member of by visiting the My ACHE area of ache.org, and choosing Local Chapters on the left-side menu bar.

14. Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives – FACHE ® Make board certification a future goal… Becoming a Fellow demonstrates your competence, dedication and commitment to lifelong learning.

15. When can I begin my advancement? Submit your FACHE application after you: become a full Member obtain a Master’s or other advanced degree have two years’ healthcare management experience If you are interested in beginning your advancement to Fellow, you must do so as a full Member. A Student Associate is not eligible to submit a Fellow application. Visit ache.org for specific details.

16. What are all of the FACHE requirements? Summary of requirements to earn the FACHE Credential Master’s or other postbaccalaureate degree Current healthcare management position and five years of healthcare management experience Three years tenure as an ACHE Member, Faculty Associate or International Associate (you must be a Member to apply) Three references from current Fellows (one of which must be a structured interview) 40 hours of continuing education—at least 12 of which are Category I (ACHE education) hours—earned during the five years preceding becoming a Fellow Participation in two healthcare related and two community/civic activities Pass the Board of Governors Examination in Healthcare Management

17. What is the ECN? The Early Careerist Network is composed of ACHE Members and Fellows under the age of 40. The program provides resources that are designed for young executives like YOU! When you transfer to full Member, you automatically belong to the network.

18. ECN Services -Bimonthly newsletter -Career advice -Annual discount coupon -Early Careerist specific information (i.e., educational programs, networking resources, books and journals )

19. What is the Leader-to-Leader Program? When you help grow ACHE by recruiting a new Member or encouraging an existing Member to become a Fellow, you earn points that you can redeem for rewards. Go to www.ache.org/Mbership/L2L You can redeem your points anytime, even with just 1 point! Or you can save your points and redeem them later for more rewards.

20. Once you become a full Member, encourage colleagues to join ACHE! 1 referral = 1 point 1 point = 1 Leader-to-Leader reward Points may be accrued and saved for gifts with higher values. www.ache.org/mbership/L2L

21. For more information… Visit ache.org; ache.org/students E-mail: contact@ache.org Call ACHE’s Customer Service Center at (312) 424-9400 Questions?