Re: AAMT Membership

[Guest guest]

It's all so disappointing to me....I would love to belong to the AAMT,

but I simply can't see where they provide anything even close to $200

worth of services, backing, or goods, you know?

If someone really feels you get your money's worth from paying this to

AAMT, do let me know, because I'd sure like to be convinced - honestly!

:-)

On Wed, 18 Dec 2002 11:32:43 -0600 " =?iso-8859-1?B?p1Jlbm5pZac=?= "

writes:

> Yes, I know what you mean. I am actually still in the " wait and see "

> phase regarding continuing my membership. I have to admit though

> that the " E-terms " that they send out is great. When I get the

> email, I now immediately put the terms into my Instant Text. When I

> first starting doing it, it was because I was basically bored and

> thought it might be interesting to do that. My eyes got really big

> though and my mouth dropped open when I saw these terms coming in my

> dictation right off the bat! Many times, this has saved me from

> having to go do research. I wuv my AAMT E-terms, LOL!

>

> The whole " is it worth it or not " thing about joining is just

> something I haven't yet decided.

>

> I went to the site and copied the whole price list for membership in

> case folks were interested.

>

> MEMBERSHIP SELECTION:

> Practitioner...............$158

> Associate .................$205

> Student ......................$79

> Institutional...............$315

> Corporate.................$788

>

> Rennie, who is still fence-sitting on the whole darn mess...

>

> Re: Med help please

>

>

> I hope they give you better " terms " than they give the rest of us!

> Believe

> it or not, I started getting nostalgic and thought about joining

> them again

> last week. When I went to the web site to do so, though, I

> discovered that

> they have raised the fee AGAIN, and now it's over $200.

>

> Maybe this is a good thing for them because it keeps the riff-raff

> out. I

> have influence of a sort over a number of students each year. When

> I

> mention to my students that it would be nice for them to join a

> professional organization for any number of reasons, I feel

> constrained to

> tell them what the dues are to AAMT once they stop being students,

> and most

> first *gasp* then inquire if there are any other professional

> associations

> they could join. Wouldn't you think AAMT would want to recruit new

> members

> and want instructors on their side? IDU. . . *sigh*

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Naturally, my question is: What else do you get for your money as a member of

AAMT???

To each their own, of course, and I certainly don't want to step on anyone's

toes here, but I have never seen an advantage to joining AAMT, especially at

these prices. By the same token, I have never seen the logic in becoming a CMT

either, since it would have made no difference in my paycheck. I might be able

to justify the expense if I knew it would make my paychecks bigger and

eventually the cost might pay for itself so to speak, but that's just not the

case. Granted, the fees would be tax deductible, but I'd still have to cough up

the money to start with.

Ok.. now that I've said all that, now I have to say that I may end up eating my

words because it's my understanding that in order to be able to advance in the

company I work for, I'd need my CMT. In other words, if I'd like to become a

trainer or a supervisor instead of continuing to be an MT, apparently having a

CMT behind my name would give me an edge. I guess when the time comes I'd have

to do the math to see if it's actually worth it in the long run.

Jan

jantranscribes@...

" Typing is my life. "

" Whoever signs the paycheck makes the rules. "

Re: Med help please

I hope they give you better " terms " than they give the rest of us! Believe

it or not, I started getting nostalgic and thought about joining them again

last week. When I went to the web site to do so, though, I discovered that

they have raised the fee AGAIN, and now it's over $200.

Maybe this is a good thing for them because it keeps the riff-raff out. I

have influence of a sort over a number of students each year. When I

mention to my students that it would be nice for them to join a

professional organization for any number of reasons, I feel constrained to

tell them what the dues are to AAMT once they stop being students, and most

first *gasp* then inquire if there are any other professional associations

they could join. Wouldn't you think AAMT would want to recruit new members

and want instructors on their side? IDU. . . *sigh*

TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to NMTC-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

I also like the leading edge we get via email.

I noticed this months JAAMT had better quality paper. Anyone else notice that.

Aliceanne

At 11:32 AM 12/18/2002 -0600, §Rennie§ wrote:

>Yes, I know what you mean. I am actually still in the " wait and see "

>phase regarding continuing my membership. I have to admit though that the

> " E-terms " that they send out is great. When I get the email, I now

>immediately put the terms into my Instant Text. When I first starting

>doing it, it was because I was basically bored and thought it might be

>interesting to do that. My eyes got really big though and my mouth

>dropped open when I saw these terms coming in my dictation right off the

>bat! Many times, this has saved me from having to go do research. I wuv

>my AAMT E-terms, LOL!

>

>The whole " is it worth it or not " thing about joining is just something I

>haven't yet decided.

>

>I went to the site and copied the whole price list for membership in case

>folks were interested.

>

>MEMBERSHIP SELECTION:

>Practitioner...............$158

>Associate .................$205

>Student ......................$79

>Institutional...............$315

>Corporate.................$788

>

>Rennie, who is still fence-sitting on the whole darn mess...

>

> Re: Med help please

>

>

>I hope they give you better " terms " than they give the rest of us! Believe

>it or not, I started getting nostalgic and thought about joining them again

>last week. When I went to the web site to do so, though, I discovered that

>they have raised the fee AGAIN, and now it's over $200.

>

>Maybe this is a good thing for them because it keeps the riff-raff out. I

>have influence of a sort over a number of students each year. When I

>mention to my students that it would be nice for them to join a

>professional organization for any number of reasons, I feel constrained to

>tell them what the dues are to AAMT once they stop being students, and most

>first *gasp* then inquire if there are any other professional associations

>they could join. Wouldn't you think AAMT would want to recruit new members

>and want instructors on their side? IDU. . . *sigh*

>

>

>

>

>TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to NMTC-unsubscribe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My roomie is a trained QA person in the printing industry. She always QCs the

JAAMT. She is impressed with its quality, and I don't hear her say that often.

She does find a " hickey " now and then though. Stuff most of us wouldn't even

notice, you know?

You should see her. Sometimes she even QCs the junk mail. LOL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rennie

My Home Page: http://www.renesue.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: AAMT Membership

I also like the leading edge we get via email.

I noticed this months JAAMT had better quality paper. Anyone else notice that.

Aliceanne

[Guest guest]

Hi Aliceann,

I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and the leading

edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot against the higher

prices these days, but when you think about other professional associations,

they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have it pretty cheap. Please

don't holler at me, this is only my personal opinion. Through the membership

and this list, I have learned a lot of knowledge, new words, procedures and the

like, and I believe I have become a better medical transcriptionist in the long

run. As I have stated, this is only my opinion and others can have their own

opinion as well.

Re: Med help please

>

>

>I hope they give you better " terms " than they give the rest of us! Believe

>it or not, I started getting nostalgic and thought about joining them again

>last week. When I went to the web site to do so, though, I discovered that

>they have raised the fee AGAIN, and now it's over $200.

>

>Maybe this is a good thing for them because it keeps the riff-raff out. I

>have influence of a sort over a number of students each year. When I

>mention to my students that it would be nice for them to join a

>professional organization for any number of reasons, I feel constrained to

>tell them what the dues are to AAMT once they stop being students, and most

>first *gasp* then inquire if there are any other professional associations

>they could join. Wouldn't you think AAMT would want to recruit new members

>and want instructors on their side? IDU. . . *sigh*

>

>

>

>

>TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to NMTC-unsubscribe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

That's what I LOVE about this list. No one is going to holler at you. I love

hearing different opinions. I take what I want and leave the rest, but I love to

hear what any and all have to say.

Val

Re: Med help please

>

>

>I hope they give you better " terms " than they give the rest of us! Believe

>it or not, I started getting nostalgic and thought about joining them again

>last week. When I went to the web site to do so, though, I discovered that

>they have raised the fee AGAIN, and now it's over $200.

>

>Maybe this is a good thing for them because it keeps the riff-raff out. I

>have influence of a sort over a number of students each year. When I

>mention to my students that it would be nice for them to join a

>professional organization for any number of reasons, I feel constrained to

>tell them what the dues are to AAMT once they stop being students, and most

>first *gasp* then inquire if there are any other professional associations

>they could join. Wouldn't you think AAMT would want to recruit new members

>and want instructors on their side? IDU. . . *sigh*

>

>

>

>

>TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to NMTC-unsubscribe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If anyone hollers at you, I'll send them to the corner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rennie

My Home Page: http://www.renesue.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: AAMT Membership

Hi Aliceann,

I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and the leading

edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot against the higher

prices these days, but when you think about other professional associations,

they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have it pretty cheap. Please

don't holler at me, this is only my personal opinion. Through the membership

and this list, I have learned a lot of knowledge, new words, procedures and the

like, and I believe I have become a better medical transcriptionist in the long

run. As I have stated, this is only my opinion and others can have their own

opinion as well.

[Guest guest]

Rennie,

You are wonderful! Do they have to wear a dunce cap too?

Re: AAMT Membership

Hi Aliceann,

I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and the leading

edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot against the higher

prices these days, but when you think about other professional associations,

they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have it pretty cheap. Please

don't holler at me, this is only my personal opinion. Through the membership

and this list, I have learned a lot of knowledge, new words, procedures and the

like, and I believe I have become a better medical transcriptionist in the long

run. As I have stated, this is only my opinion and others can have their own

opinion as well.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to NMTC-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

, Yes, Rennie will make them wear the dunce cap too, she can be pretty

rough with us, so we all have to behave, Margaret

>>> Eckenrode 12/18/02 08:14PM >>>

Rennie,

You are wonderful! Do they have to wear a dunce cap too?

Re: AAMT Membership

Hi Aliceann,

I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and the leading

edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot against the higher

prices these days, but when you think about other professional associations,

they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have it pretty cheap. Please

don't holler at me, this is only my personal opinion. Through the membership

and this list, I have learned a lot of knowledge, new words, procedures and the

like, and I believe I have become a better medical transcriptionist in the long

run. As I have stated, this is only my opinion and others can have their own

opinion as well.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to NMTC-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

I believe the quote of $200 was not for practitioner membership. Mine was

$150. Students pay less. And now they allow payment plans which is a help

to me.

Aliceanne

At 05:15 PM 12/18/2002 -0700, Valpie wrote:

>That's what I LOVE about this list. No one is going to holler at you. I

>love hearing different opinions. I take what I want and leave the rest,

>but I love to hear what any and all have to say.

>

>Val

> Re: Med help please

> >

> >

> >I hope they give you better " terms " than they give the rest of

> us! Believe

> >it or not, I started getting nostalgic and thought about joining them

> again

> >last week. When I went to the web site to do so, though, I discovered

> that

> >they have raised the fee AGAIN, and now it's over $200.

> >

> >Maybe this is a good thing for them because it keeps the riff-raff out. I

> >have influence of a sort over a number of students each year. When I

> >mention to my students that it would be nice for them to join a

> >professional organization for any number of reasons, I feel

> constrained to

> >tell them what the dues are to AAMT once they stop being students, and

> most

> >first *gasp* then inquire if there are any other professional

> associations

> >they could join. Wouldn't you think AAMT would want to recruit new

> members

> >and want instructors on their side? IDU. . . *sigh*

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank email to NMTC-unsubscribe

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

, you have really aroused my curiosity! Which professional

organizations have dues that range between $300-$500 a year?

Actually, many transcriptionists in this small town who want to join a

professional organization join the Business and Professional Women's

organization (BPW), with local, state, and national dues combined around

$85. There's also an active local chapter of the American Association of

University Women, the national dues of which are $40. We have had a local

chapter of American Business Women's Association (ABWA), although I don't

know if it's still active, that attracted many members from allied health

fields and medical office workers and charged combined local and national

dues of $50. Granted, those are " general membership " organizations and

don't address the specific needs of transcriptionists. The only

organization I know of personally that has dues higher than AAMT is the

National Education Association, the dues of which are about $250/year and

include liability insurance--but the NEA is a labor union, not a

professional association.

So I have to admit, I am totally in the dark about professional

associations that have dues that high--why, that would equal or exceed 1%

of the annual income of most folks I know. While I have to render unto

Cesar and I choose to render unto God, that's a bit steep for rendering

unto a professional organization, don't you think?

Actually, for you and Aliceanne, who live where there are active chapters

locally, the chapters themselves serve a networking and social need as well

as an educational and political one, and membership might be a tad more

valuable. Around here, the closest chapter is a 4-hour drive away, and few

transcriptionists are willing to make that kind of commitment to attend

meetings.

At 04:08 PM 12/18/2002 -0800, Eckenrode wrote:

>Hi Aliceann,

>

>I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and the

>leading edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot against

>the higher prices these days, but when you think about other professional

>associations, they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have it

>pretty cheap. Please don't holler at me, this is only my personal

>opinion. Through the membership and this list, I have learned a lot of

>knowledge, new words, procedures and the like, and I believe I have become

>a better medical transcriptionist in the long run. As I have stated, this

>is only my opinion and others can have their own opinion as well.

>

>

>

Valeria D. Truitt

Curriculum Coordinator and Lead Instructor

Medical Office Administration

Craven Community College

800 College Court

New Bern, NC 28562

Phone:

[Guest guest]

My husband is a teacher and contributes $470 a year for NEA ($360) and ISEA

dues ($90) and in this day and age, you don't dare be without the liability

coverage although there are numerous other benefits of membership. I do

hate to think of it as a " union " though, which to me implies " striking " but

techically, that's exactly what it is.

So, if I join AAMT and someone tries to sue me will AAMT march a lawyer out

to represent me?<G> I can barely keep up with updating references let alone

have to worry about another annual $200 expense but certainly appreciate

those of you willing to share what you learn.

The only

> organization I know of personally that has dues higher than AAMT is the

> National Education Association, the dues of which are about $250/year and

> include liability insurance--but the NEA is a labor union, not a

> professional association.

>

[Guest guest]

Val,

When I was in school and going through the transcription course, the teacher had

mentioned that other professional organizations were much more expensive, so I

was assuming it to be true. She didn't mention which professionals they were.

I guess that I should have checked into it more closely. I was glad to join a

organization in which I could belong to as one of many medical

transcriptionists. I realize that I do have better access to meetings than

people in smaller towns.

Re: AAMT Membership

, you have really aroused my curiosity! Which professional

organizations have dues that range between $300-$500 a year?

Actually, many transcriptionists in this small town who want to join a

professional organization join the Business and Professional Women's

organization (BPW), with local, state, and national dues combined around

$85. There's also an active local chapter of the American Association of

University Women, the national dues of which are $40. We have had a local

chapter of American Business Women's Association (ABWA), although I don't

know if it's still active, that attracted many members from allied health

fields and medical office workers and charged combined local and national

dues of $50. Granted, those are " general membership " organizations and

don't address the specific needs of transcriptionists. The only

organization I know of personally that has dues higher than AAMT is the

National Education Association, the dues of which are about $250/year and

include liability insurance--but the NEA is a labor union, not a

professional association.

So I have to admit, I am totally in the dark about professional

associations that have dues that high--why, that would equal or exceed 1%

of the annual income of most folks I know. While I have to render unto

Cesar and I choose to render unto God, that's a bit steep for rendering

unto a professional organization, don't you think?

Actually, for you and Aliceanne, who live where there are active chapters

locally, the chapters themselves serve a networking and social need as well

as an educational and political one, and membership might be a tad more

valuable. Around here, the closest chapter is a 4-hour drive away, and few

transcriptionists are willing to make that kind of commitment to attend

meetings.

At 04:08 PM 12/18/2002 -0800, Eckenrode wrote:

>Hi Aliceann,

>

>I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and the

>leading edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot against

>the higher prices these days, but when you think about other professional

>associations, they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have it

>pretty cheap. Please don't holler at me, this is only my personal

>opinion. Through the membership and this list, I have learned a lot of

>knowledge, new words, procedures and the like, and I believe I have become

>a better medical transcriptionist in the long run. As I have stated, this

>is only my opinion and others can have their own opinion as well.

>

>

>

Valeria D. Truitt

Curriculum Coordinator and Lead Instructor

Medical Office Administration

Craven Community College

800 College Court

New Bern, NC 28562

Phone:

[Guest guest]

I actually used to belong to AAMT and decided not to renew. You get 4

magazines a year - so that means it's $50 an issue - LOL!

There are no local chapters within hours of where I live (4 hours away is

the closest).

I think, though, the thing that really gets me is that sometimes it seems

that AAMT is walking BOTH sides of the fence. Several years ago they

came out supporting the 65 character line as a standard. This hurt MANY

transcriptionists who were paid by gross line until AAMT came out with

this. Why did they do this? Did big MT companies put pressure on them?

Are they more in support of the companies than the little MT? After the

uproar, now AAMT says they don't define a line at all! They also don't

take a stance on offshore medical transcription--drives me nuts! *G*

I guess it's just not clear to me how they are HELPING us as

professionals. If I ever need the insurance they offer I would

definitely join - that's one clear benefit. But as far as promoting well

being, financially and otherwise, among this industry, it just seems like

they try to walk the middle of the line and won't " fight " for MTs. That

IS what most other professional organizations do - they are there to

promote their members well-being and advancement!

Well, that's just my sixteen cents! If AAMT ever decides to truly get in

there, take off their gloves, and starting fighting for us MTs, I'd

cheerfully pay the $200 per year :-). Until then, I'd only pay them if

they had something I needed/wanted and couldn't get anywhere else.

If I've mis-stated anything above about AAMT, I'd love for someone to

correct me. This is what my homework has turned up :-).

S.

On Wed, 18 Dec 2002 20:42:30 -0500 Valeria Truitt

writes:

> , you have really aroused my curiosity! Which professional

> organizations have dues that range between $300-$500 a year?

>

> Actually, many transcriptionists in this small town who want to join

> a

> professional organization join the Business and Professional Women's

>

> organization (BPW), with local, state, and national dues combined

> around

> $85. There's also an active local chapter of the American

> Association of

> University Women, the national dues of which are $40. We have had a

> local

> chapter of American Business Women's Association (ABWA), although I

> don't

> know if it's still active, that attracted many members from allied

> health

> fields and medical office workers and charged combined local and

> national

> dues of $50. Granted, those are " general membership " organizations

> and

> don't address the specific needs of transcriptionists. The only

> organization I know of personally that has dues higher than AAMT is

> the

> National Education Association, the dues of which are about

> $250/year and

> include liability insurance--but the NEA is a labor union, not a

> professional association.

>

> So I have to admit, I am totally in the dark about professional

> associations that have dues that high--why, that would equal or

> exceed 1%

> of the annual income of most folks I know. While I have to render

> unto

> Cesar and I choose to render unto God, that's a bit steep for

> rendering

> unto a professional organization, don't you think?

>

> Actually, for you and Aliceanne, who live where there are active

> chapters

> locally, the chapters themselves serve a networking and social need

> as well

> as an educational and political one, and membership might be a tad

> more

> valuable. Around here, the closest chapter is a 4-hour drive away,

> and few

> transcriptionists are willing to make that kind of commitment to

> attend

> meetings.

>

> At 04:08 PM 12/18/2002 -0800, Eckenrode wrote:

> >Hi Aliceann,

> >

> >I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and

> the

> >leading edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot

> against

> >the higher prices these days, but when you think about other

> professional

> >associations, they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have

> it

> >pretty cheap. Please don't holler at me, this is only my personal

>

> >opinion. Through the membership and this list, I have learned a

> lot of

> >knowledge, new words, procedures and the like, and I believe I have

> become

> >a better medical transcriptionist in the long run. As I have

> stated, this

> >is only my opinion and others can have their own opinion as well.

> >

> >

> >

>

> Valeria D. Truitt

> Curriculum Coordinator and Lead Instructor

> Medical Office Administration

> Craven Community College

> 800 College Court

> New Bern, NC 28562

> Phone:

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I agree with nearly everything you said. Don't forget you also get

the annual desk reference! lol

Here's what I know about AAMT and offshore medical transcription: 10 years

ago, I had a conversation with the at-that-time president-elect of

AAMT. She was most excited because she was participating in training

Indian transcriptionists, and she invited me to go to India for 6 months to

set up and work in a training program. I declined. That may well have

been her personal project and not an endeavor of the AAMT; I personally

have always associated the two.

When the government and the health-care industry were trying to work out

the details of the " electronic patient record " standard, transcriptionists

were originally excluded from the discussion. Tessier lobbied hard

for inclusion of a voice to represent transcription, and she was invited to

participate. I have had personal discussions with , and I found her

to be abrasive, rigid, and pushy, which are certainly desirable

characteristics in someone whom we expect to be fighting for our cause. I

have yet to meet or chat with the new Executive Director.

And truly, as you said, $160 for an active-duty professional or $205 for

instructors could be a reasonable investment in a concerted educational and

lobbying effort that improved the lot in life of the transcriptionists

involved. What I would like to know is, in the last 25 years, how much has

the average income for transcriptionists increased, compared to the usual

economic factors? How have the standards for training and for employee

selection improved? How has the public perception of transcription as a

profession and transcriptionists as professionals improved? Some of the

factors that organizations such as NEA, for example, find important--such

as job security, tenure, and collective bargaining--are irrelevant to a

profession where so many practitioners operate their own businesses rather

than being employees. I would expect the organization to make every

effort, wherever possible, to address the dichotomy and recognize that the

two groups (business owners and employees) have many quite different

professional needs as well as some similar needs and interests.

At 06:22 AM 12/19/2002 -0500, N wrote:

>I actually used to belong to AAMT and decided not to renew. You get 4

>magazines a year - so that means it's $50 an issue - LOL!

>

>There are no local chapters within hours of where I live (4 hours away is

>the closest).

>

>I think, though, the thing that really gets me is that sometimes it seems

>that AAMT is walking BOTH sides of the fence. Several years ago they

>came out supporting the 65 character line as a standard. This hurt MANY

>transcriptionists who were paid by gross line until AAMT came out with

>this. Why did they do this? Did big MT companies put pressure on them?

>Are they more in support of the companies than the little MT? After the

>uproar, now AAMT says they don't define a line at all! They also don't

>take a stance on offshore medical transcription--drives me nuts! *G*

>

>I guess it's just not clear to me how they are HELPING us as

>professionals. If I ever need the insurance they offer I would

>definitely join - that's one clear benefit. But as far as promoting well

>being, financially and otherwise, among this industry, it just seems like

>they try to walk the middle of the line and won't " fight " for MTs. That

>IS what most other professional organizations do - they are there to

>promote their members well-being and advancement!

>

>Well, that's just my sixteen cents! If AAMT ever decides to truly get in

>there, take off their gloves, and starting fighting for us MTs, I'd

>cheerfully pay the $200 per year :-). Until then, I'd only pay them if

>they had something I needed/wanted and couldn't get anywhere else.

>

>If I've mis-stated anything above about AAMT, I'd love for someone to

>correct me. This is what my homework has turned up :-).

>

> S.

>

>

>

>On Wed, 18 Dec 2002 20:42:30 -0500 Valeria Truitt

> writes:

> > , you have really aroused my curiosity! Which professional

> > organizations have dues that range between $300-$500 a year?

> >

> > Actually, many transcriptionists in this small town who want to join

> > a

> > professional organization join the Business and Professional Women's

> >

> > organization (BPW), with local, state, and national dues combined

> > around

> > $85. There's also an active local chapter of the American

> > Association of

> > University Women, the national dues of which are $40. We have had a

> > local

> > chapter of American Business Women's Association (ABWA), although I

> > don't

> > know if it's still active, that attracted many members from allied

> > health

> > fields and medical office workers and charged combined local and

> > national

> > dues of $50. Granted, those are " general membership " organizations

> > and

> > don't address the specific needs of transcriptionists. The only

> > organization I know of personally that has dues higher than AAMT is

> > the

> > National Education Association, the dues of which are about

> > $250/year and

> > include liability insurance--but the NEA is a labor union, not a

> > professional association.

> >

> > So I have to admit, I am totally in the dark about professional

> > associations that have dues that high--why, that would equal or

> > exceed 1%

> > of the annual income of most folks I know. While I have to render

> > unto

> > Cesar and I choose to render unto God, that's a bit steep for

> > rendering

> > unto a professional organization, don't you think?

> >

> > Actually, for you and Aliceanne, who live where there are active

> > chapters

> > locally, the chapters themselves serve a networking and social need

> > as well

> > as an educational and political one, and membership might be a tad

> > more

> > valuable. Around here, the closest chapter is a 4-hour drive away,

> > and few

> > transcriptionists are willing to make that kind of commitment to

> > attend

> > meetings.

> >

> > At 04:08 PM 12/18/2002 -0800, Eckenrode wrote:

> > >Hi Aliceann,

> > >

> > >I personally enjoy membership in AAMT. I enjoy the magazine and

> > the

> > >leading edge that I get through E-mail. I know there are a lot

> > against

> > >the higher prices these days, but when you think about other

> > professional

> > >associations, they range between $300-500 a year. I think we have

> > it

> > >pretty cheap. Please don't holler at me, this is only my personal

> >

> > >opinion. Through the membership and this list, I have learned a

> > lot of

> > >knowledge, new words, procedures and the like, and I believe I have

> > become

> > >a better medical transcriptionist in the long run. As I have

> > stated, this

> > >is only my opinion and others can have their own opinion as well.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

Valeria D. Truitt

Curriculum Coordinator and Lead Instructor

Medical Office Administration

Craven Community College

800 College Court

New Bern, NC 28562

Phone: