Membership - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AES Membership year?
July 1 – June 30
When are dues renewal invoices mailed?
Invoice #1: late 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.
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.
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. Once your membership has lapsed (i.e., last payment was made over 18 months ago) you need to re-apply for membership and provide a new statement of support from a currently Active AES Member. If you are now a Resident/Student/Fellow, you will need your Training Director to sponsor Junior Membership.
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. PLEASE! Keep AES current on your contact information.
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 meeting registrants are not eligible for the reduced registration rate.
Can I renew my membership online?
ABSOLUTELY! Please renew online; renewing online is encouraged as this helps keep costs of printing and postage to a minimum.
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!
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."
WIRE TRANSFER - for International members; there is a fee for wire transfers so please contact the AES office.
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 downloadable Dues Renewal Form. AES, 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06117.
A receipt will be e-mailed to you once the payment has been processed.
How do I access the renewal form?
Go to the top of this page and click Renewal Form. You will need to "login" with your AES ID#/ login name and password; unless you've changed it, your password will be the one provided (member) when you joined. It can be changed at any time by going to myAES link on the homepage of website.
Should I contact AES if I'm not going to renew my AES membership?
Yes. 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 program and will graduate soon. Do I need to notify AES?
Yes. Contact the AES Administrator. As a Junior Member you are required to upgrade your status within six months of your completion date. An emailed reminder will be sent to Junior Members prior to the training completion date indicated in the member record. We will request either the member "upgrade" or provide a revised date of completion with an updated sponsor statement from your training director.
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 my member status?
Yes. Contact a currently Active Member of AES to sponsor your request to upgrade membership to either Active or Corresponding. A Statement of Support can be sent directly to your sponsor for a signature, then it can be faxed to the AES office.
I have changed employers and now am employed by a for-profit company. Do I need to change my member category?
Yes, most positions in industry require a change in member category to Associate. Complete the Associate Member Information Form and submit with the downloadable Dues Renewal Form.
I have changed employers and now am employed by a for-profit company. My position is not related to the sales and/or marketing of goods or services. Do I need to change my member category?
Not necessarily. In rare circumstances, although a member is employed by a company, he or she may be so removed from the sales and marketing aspects of the company that another category makes more sense. If you feel that this applies to you, you may apply for an exemption to Associate membership by completing the Exemption From Associate Membership Form. The Membership Committee will determine whether the exemption is justifiable in your case.
I am retired from the field of epilepsy. Is there a category for Seniors?
Yes! If you are an Active (includes Professional in Epilepsy Care) or Corresponding Member you may request an "upgrade" with the Membership Committee if you are at least 70 years and have been paying dues for a minimum of 15 consecutive years. You would complete the Senior Member Request form which will then be submitted to the Membership Committee for review.
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 15 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. Doesn't this 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 balance of registration fee (non member rate) if your renewal isn't received by the end of September when members, whose dues are unpaid, will be dropped.
You can renew your membership now, safely and securely, once you are logged into myAES. Go to My Transactions, then Renew!
Contact the AES Office for further assistance: 860.586.7505 ext. 512