A new, streamlined dues billing system will go into effect with the ISBA membership year that begins July 1. The change means that members will receive dues statements only once per year, but will have the added flexibility of paying in automatic installments.

“For members who pay dues twice per year, seeing their dues amount double in their first statement (in May), might come as a surprise,” ISBA Executive Director Robert E. Craghead said. “We want to assure these members that they have options, that they don't have to pay the entire amount at one time.

“The Membership Made Easy (MME) program allows many members to pay just a few dollars per month and still receive the entire spectrum of member benefits,” he added.

For ISBA members who prefer to pay their dues in installments, the option of MME includes not only semi-annual payments, but also monthly, quarterly or annual dues payments – all automatically.

A members simply selects the installment period and indicates whether the amount is to be withdrawn automatically from a bank account or by credit card.

This easy method eliminates the need to watch for dues statements in the mail, which can be unreliable, and assures that ISBA membership does not lapse against the member's wishes.

“This is a best-practices business decision that saves the association resources in terms of postage costs and staff time,” Craghead said.

Participants in Membership Made Easy, already used by several hundred ISBA members, receive a letter in April of each year, informing them of scheduled dues payment withdrawals for the upcoming membership year. Members may opt out of MME at any time by simply calling the bar association.

Up until this year, members have had the option of annual or semi-annual dues billing, but the MME program provides even more benefits to members without the administration burden on the association.