INFORMS is switching from a calendar year membership (January through December) to an anniversary membership (one year from your official start date). What exactly does this mean for you? Read on for answers, and let us know if you have a question that we missed.
Q: I like my membership on a calendar year! Do I have to change?
A: No. If you have been a member of INFORMS since before August 2015, your membership remains on a calendar year cycle (January through December). As long as you renew your membership before your expiration date, nothing will change. Your membership will be from January through December, as it always has been.
Q: I joined INFORMS mid-year, 2015. When does my membership end?
A: If you joined between January and July 2015, your membership is still on the calendar year cycle (January through December) and will end on December 31, 2015. If you joined between August and December, you will automatically be put on the new anniversary cycle (one year from your official start date). For example, someone who joined on September 1, 2015 would have an expiration date of August 31, 2016.
Q: Does it matter what day of the month I join?
A: Yes. If you join between the 1st and the 15th, your official start date is the 1st of that month. If you join between the 16th and the 31st, your official start date is the 1st of the following month. For example, someone who joined on September 18, 2015 has a start date of October 1, 2015 and an expiration date of September 30, 2016.
Q: What if my membership is currently on the January – December cycle, and I renew after my expiration date?
A: If you renew within two months of your expiration date, you will keep the same dates you had previously.
If you renew more than two months after your expiration date, you will have new anniversary dates. For example, your membership was from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 and you do not renew until April 10, 2016. Your membership would then be from April 1, 2016 through March 30, 2017.
If you renew more than two months after your expiration date, but prefer to keep the same dates you had previously, you must contact INFORMS customer service.
Q: I am also a member of a subdivision. How does the anniversary cycle work with subdivisions?
A: Your INFORMS membership and subdivision membership(s) will be on the same cycle.
Q: How will the anniversary cycle affect my journal subscriptions?
A: Your INFORMS membership and journal subscription(s) will be on the same cycle. Just renew before your expiration date, and you will continue to receive your subscriptions as you always have.
Q: What about my member discounts?
A: Member discounts apply to meeting registrations, continuing education programs, certification, bookstore items, and more. As long as you are a current, paid member of INFORMS at the time of purchase, you will receive the member discount.
Q: What if I have additional questions about my membership?
A: Call INFORMS at 800-446-3676 or 443-757-3500, or email us at [email protected]. Our staff will be happy to help you.