September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007
 

ABQSPIN Membership

ABQSPIN is the Albuquerque (ABQ), NM, chapter of the Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN), as sponsored by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI).

Membership

Membership in ABQSPIN is open, without discrimination, to anyone interested in furthering the objectives of the Albuquerque SPIN as defined in its mission statement. ABQSPIN membership is by individual rather than by organization. Membership is established when an individual submits a completed registration application to the ABQSPIN membership committee (in person or via the ABQSPIN website) with the appropriate dues payment. Registration requires individuals to provide the following information:

•   Personal Contact Information – last and first name, a valid email address, and a valid daytime telephone number; additional information may also be requested at signup.

•   Membership Dues – the appropriate dues in the form of cash or a check made out to NMITSA (the New Mexico Information Technology & Software Association). Credit card payments can be accepted with advance notice.

Membership Benefits

Membership in ABQSPIN carries with it the following benefits:

•   Monthly Meeting Participation - members will be able to attend scheduled monthly ABQSPIN meetings at no charge (non- members are required to pay a $15 fee to attend each meeting, regardless of whether or not lunch is eaten there).  These meetings provide speakers on topics relevant to Quality Assurance and Process Improvement efforts as well as networking opportunities and meals/snacks.

•   Monthly Meeting Materials - members will receive available handouts and relevant materials at scheduled monthly ABQSPIN meetings. Alternately, meeting materials will be available on the ABQSPIN web site.

•   Workshop Discounts - members will receive a discount when signing up for ABQSPIN- sponsored events such as seminars, conferences, or training sessions. The amount of the discount will vary by event. 

•   Advance Notice - members will receive advance notice of ABQSPIN scheduled monthly meetings, special purpose sessions, and sponsored events such as seminars, workshops, and training and will have an opportunity to enroll in these events before they are made available to the public.

•   Member Directory - members will have password access to the ABQSPIN member directory.  This will include contact information of other ABQSPIN members in order to facilitate networking. NOTE: availability of an individual member’s contact information is at member discretion and kept private.

•   Job and Resume Postings - members will have password access to job openings and be able to post their resume or curriculum vitae (CV) for other ABQSPIN members to access.

•    Special Purpose Sessions - members and non-members will be able to attend special purpose or vendor/supplier sponsored ABQSPIN sessions at no charge.  These meetings will allow vendor or supplier representatives to provide information on products and services relevant to Quality Assurance and Process Improvement efforts as well as networking opportunities and meal/snack service.

Membership Year

Membership is by ABQSPIN year - from September 1^st to August 31^st.  New members may join at any time within the year, however all ABQSPIN memberships expire on August 31^st of each year.

Membership Dues

The price for membership in ABQSPIN is $60 per year. Discounts are available for students, NMITSA members, and job seekers (unemployed), and individuals working in the same department within an organization. The discount is based on an individual’s status at the time the membership is submitted (annually). The following discounts are available:

•   Student – a 50% reduction in the membership price. Information required: current student ID card indicating at least half- time (6 credit hours or more) enrollment in an accredited institution of higher learning.

•   NMITSA Member – a 50% reduction in the membership price. Information required: the name of the employing organization that is a current NMITSA member, along with the name, email address, telephone number of the NMITSA contact person at that organization who can verify the employment.

•   Job Seeker – a 50% reduction in the membership price. Information required: current unemployment documentation from the state government, or the written approval of a member of the ABQSPIN Membership Committee.

•   Group Discount – a rate of $50 per membership will be extended to individuals within a single department within an organization that has 2 or more people become members at the same time.  To qualify for this discount, at least 2 people from the same department/organization must sign up together.  Memberships are non- transferable.

•   Non- Member Credit – if a non- member attends a meeting, the non- member meeting fee will be credited towards a full ABQSPIN membership if the person signs- up for membership within one month of the attended meeting.

Membership dues are prorated on a quarterly basis if a person joins after the membership year begins. The prorating schedule is:

Membership Renewal

Membership for all persons expires on August 31^st of each year. In order to remain a member of ABQSPIN, each member must verify their contact information and submit the required dues to an ABQSPIN membership representative prior to the expiration date.

ABQSPIN will attempt to notify each member that his or her membership will expire on August 31^st. This will normally be done in July or early August via email, with telephone calls a possible alternative. If the member is not notified for any reason (member’s contact information is invalid, inaction on the part of ABQSPIN, etc.), it remains the responsibility of the member to submit the required dues before August 31^st in order to remain a member in good standing.

If for any reason membership is allowed to lapse (dues are not received by August 31^st), members can simply submit the prorated dues at a later date and membership will be reinstated. 

Membership in Other Organizations

Membership in ABQSPIN does not confer membership in any other organization. At this time, even though ABQSPIN is a peer group of the New Mexico Information Technology & Software Association (NMITSA), membership in ABQSPIN does not confer membership in NMITSA, and vice versa.

Non-Members

Non-members who wish to attend a monthly ABQSPIN meeting will be required to pay a $15 fee for each meeting, regardless of whether the meal is eaten or not.  The fee for students and job seekers is $7 for each meeting. Any non- member who wishes to attend other ABQSPIN- sponsored events will not receive the member discount or advance notice of these events.  If a non- member attends a meeting, the non- member meeting fee will be credited towards a full ABQSPIN membership if the person signs- up for membership within one month of the attended meeting.

Membership Confirmation

An email confirming membership will be sent out to the new member within 10 business days of receipt of payment.  The password to member- only areas of the ABQSPIN website and a receipt acknowledging payment will be part of this confirmation email.

Membership Application and Payment

Applications for membership may be found here or at an ABQSPIN meeting.  Payments should be made by check and made payable to NMITSA (ABQSPIN is a peer group of NMITSA).  Credit card payments can be accepted with advance notice. Payments will be accepted at ABQSPIN meetings or can be sent to:

Jerry Karasz, 100 Sun Blvd, NE,  Suite 500, Albuquerque, NM  87109, c/o Apogen Technology.