IAVAT Dues & Donations Form      
If you have questions about membership, please contact Lori Copsy - lcopsy@illinoisffa.org. Please be aware that membership questions are processed in the order they are received. During the busiest season of membership renewal, it may take up to a few days to respond to your request.

Types of Membership      
Five membership levels exist in the IAVAT: active, associate, student, retired, and honorary. View the descriptions below for characteristics of each type of membership. The IAVAT's affiliation with other Career and Technical Associations at the state and national levels extends to the dues structure. Due to those affiliations, "dues packages" are offered to active, associate, and retired members.

• Active Membership: Anyone who is professionally qualified to teach agriculture in K-12 or postsecondary public or private schools and have paid the active membership fee. Voting shall be confined to active members. Active membership dues can be paid annually or with a one-time life membership fee.
  
  
• Associate Membership: Anyone engaged in agricultural education who is not professionally qualified to teach agriculture. Illinois Association of Community College Agriculture Instructors (IACCAI) members, University Staff, and State Staff may be either Active or Associate members of the Association. Others may become Associate members by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Associate members have the right to attend all meetings and participate in discussions. Associate membership dues can be paid annually or with a one-time life membership fee.
  
  
• Student Membership: Open to any student enrolled in a community college or university with the intent to pursue a career in Agricultural Education. Student members shall have the right to attend all meetings and participate in all discussions. Student dues are paid annually.
  
  
• Retired Membership: Open to former active or associate member of IAVAT who have retired completely from the profession. Retired members have the right to attend all meetings and participate in all discussions. Retired membership dues can be paid annually or with a one-time life membership fee.
  
  
• Honorary Membership: Open to individuals interested in Agricultural Education and is a typically and honor bestowed on those that have provided lengthy or extraordinary service to Agricultural Education or the profession. Honorary membership can only be granted by a majority vote of the Board of Directors present at any regular meeting. Honorary members have the right to attend all meetings and participate in all discussions. There are no dues for honorary membership.

Dues Structures and Packages      
The IAVAT is affiliated with a number of other career and technical associations at the state and national levels. This affiliation benefits the Illinois Agricultural Educator by providing advocacy and legislative support on issues that will impact Agricultural Education, as well as the border issue of Career and Technical Education.  The associations with which the IAVAT is affiliated include: 

• Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education (IACTE): The IACTE is a state association for those who teach and administer career and technical education. The organization has a broader focus than agricultural education, it serves teachers and administrators in all career and technical education areas by focusing on marketing career and technical education, developing the professional leadership skills of its members; assists in career and technical education curriculum development, impacts state policies and legislation, and creates networking opportunities for members.
  
  
• Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE): The ACTE the largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for careers. ACTE works to enhance the job performance and satisfaction of its members; increase public awareness and appreciation for career and technical programs; and assures growth in local, state and federal funding for these programs by communicating and working with legislators and government leaders.
  
  
• National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE): The NAAE is a federation of state agricultural educators associations with more than 7,650 members. Currently NAAE is focusing on three areas - advocacy for agricultural education, professional development for agricultural educators, and recruitment and retention of current agricultural educators.
  
  
• Illinois Association of Community College Agriculture Instructors (IACCAI): The IACCAI is a state association for community college instructors of the agriculture industry. Its primary objective is to promote the interest of education in agriculture in the State of Illinois.

• Illinois Science Teaching Association (ISTA): The ISTA connects educators, supervisors, pre-service teachers, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, informal education institutions, and others involved in science education through a professional association committed to science teaching and learning.