Membership - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AES Membership year?

July 1 – June 30

When are dues renewal invoices mailed?

Invoice #1:  April
Invoice #2:  June
Invoice #3:  August

(AES sends out several e-mailed reminders during these months)

I submitted my application in Dec (Jan, Feb, March), was approved and welcomed to membership. I have just received a notice to renew! Must I renew already?

Yes. You do need to renew as membership dues are not pro-rated. If you receive journals with your membership, you may request the back issues for that member year (i.e. if you apply and are approved in January, 2011, you can request all issues from July, 2010. Join April 1st and receive those extra months with your membership.

Can I pay for more than one year of membership at a time?

Yes. You can pay one or two membership years' dues; be sure to indicate which on the invoice submitted with payment, or in the memo on your check. If you are renewing online through myAES/My Transactions, you will need to go through the renewal process twice.

I am a former member. I never got an invoice to renew. I thought my institution was paying for my membership and they did not. Must I apply all over again? Do I need to find a sponsor again?

Yes and No. Once your membership has lapsed you can be reinstated without the need for sponsor letter, if it hasn't been longer than 12 months.  A reinstatement form will be sent to you electronically when you contact info@aesnet.org and request reinstatement. If your membership was dropped over 12 months ago you'll need to re-apply for membership and provide a new statement of support from a currently Active AES Member.

Is a grace period provided in case, for any reason, I don't receive the invoice?

Yes, however, it would be difficult for you not to receive an invoice or a reminder via electronic and/or postal mail. The "grace" period for lapsed membership is 12 months. PLEASE! Keep AES current on your contact information and provide the email address that is read frequently!

Dues payments are expected upon receiving the first invoice.  Memberships not renewed will be dropped at the end of September. Memberships can be reinstated at any time after being dropped, but dropped members  are not eligible for the reduced registration rate if not reinstated prior to the pre-registration deadline.

Can I renew my membership online?

ABSOLUTELY! As long as you are not changing your member type/upgrading. Please renew online; renewing online is encouraged as this helps keep costs of printing and postage to a minimum.

Can I "re-join" online, once my membership has lapsed and I've been dropped?

No, you will need to contact the AES Office to be reinstated.

Is my information secure if I renew online?

Yes. AES uses PayPal, a secure online credit card processing service; you will receive an automatic electronic receipt once you have submitted your online dues payment. Please, do not send your private financial information (i.e. credit card number) via email! AES will accept your payment information with a renewal or reinstatement form via fax: 860.586.7550

Which credit cards are accepted by AES?

Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

I prefer not to renew online. How else can I pay my dues? 

MAIL- a check made payable to "AES."
FAX - printable form with credit card information (never email your credit card information; our fax is secure!) to 860.586.7550
TELEPHONE - with your credit card information, call 860.586.7505 ext. 512

All payments should include your name, AES ID#. and the dues renewal invoice. The mailing address is located on both the dues invoice and the Dues Renewal Form: Checks payable to: AES, 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117.

A receipt will be e-mailed to you once the payment has been processed.

Should I contact AES if I'm not going to renew my AES membership?

Yes, Please. Contacting the AES Administrator is important as s/he may be able to correct any misinformation or confusion regarding your membership and renewal; you will be taken off the list to receive further membership invoices and mailings. We would request non-renewing members complete this Exit Survey. However, we would like to hear about any problems, concerns, etc. before making your decision to leave AES.

What if my professional, training status, or employer changes?

Contact Us! At certain times, there are reasons you may need to change your member category; i.e., completion of training program, change of employer, title or position, or reaching 70 years old and interested in Senior Membership.

I joined as a Junior Member while in training; I have completed my training program. Is there a grace period before I become a full member, and upgrade my member category?

Yes.  Contact the AES Administrator. As a Junior Member you are provided with a Transition Year of Membership, where your dues increases slightly, at a year post training completion, then the next year would be upgrade to full membership. Please keep AES updated on your training status, location, and completion date. 

I submitted a statement of sponsorship from my Training Program Director when I applied for membership. Do I need to provide another statement of support when I upgrade to full member (Active) status?

Yes. Contact a currently Active Member of AES to sponsor your request to upgrade to full membership. A letter of support of this member upgrade can be sent electronically to info@aesnet.org.  

I have changed employers and now am employed by a for-profit company. Do I need to change my member category? 

Yes, you will need to change your member type to Associate. Complete the and submit with the Dues Renewal Form and choose Associate Membership.

I am retired from the field of epilepsy. Is there a category for me?

Yes! Active (includes Professional in Epilepsy Care) or Corresponding Members are eligible for Senior Membership if you are at least 70 years young and have been paying dues for a minimum of 15 consecutive years. Contact info@aesnet.org for more information.

As a Senior Member, would I still pay dues?

No! As a Senior member, you will not pay dues, but nor will you receive the Epilepsia or Epilepsy Currents subscriptions. Also, you are no longer eligible to vote in Society matters. AES provides this upgrade as a benefit of long-time support and dedication to the profession through AES Membership. Senior Members receive mailings of the Society and reduced registration fees for Annual Meeting attendance.

I am 70 years old and have been a member for 25 years. Am I required to change member categories and become a Senior Member? 

No! You are not required to change status and may continue receiving all the benefits of Active or Corresponding membership while still paying dues.

I have attended AES Meetings in the past. I have an AES ID #. Doesn't that make me an AES Member?

No. Only after a completed Membership Application form with payment, then approval by the Membership Committee is received, do you become an AES Member.

I submitted an abstract and presented a poster at an AES Meeting. Doesn't that mean I am an AES Member?

No. Having an abstract accepted, and presenting a poster at an AES Meeting does not automatically make you a member. You must apply and be approved.

Can I register for the Annual Meeting before renewing my membership?

Yes, but you will be charged the non member registration rate. Dues should be paid in full before members register. The beginning of the member year was July 1st! You can renew your membership now, safely and securely, once you are logged into myAES.  Go to My Transactions, Renew, then REGISTER for the Meeting!

Contact the AES Office for further assistance: 860.586.7505 ext. 512