An Interview with Stephen C. Crane, Ph.D., M.P.H. ATS Executive Director
Q. You led an effort this past year to revise ATS membership categories. Why?
A. The principal goal for revising our membership categories was to attract more and a more diverse group of health professionals to the ATS. We also wanted to make it easier to join and remain a member of the Society. With this broader base of members, I believe strongly the ATS will be better able to meet its organizational goals.
Q. What are the most important changes?
A. Across all membership categories, we have created substantial financial discounts for all ATS services and products based on level of membership to encourage more non-members to become members.
And we made some important changes to increase the value of membership for specific groups of members: First, we allow trainees in all disciplinary areas to join free-of-charge for their first year, and then offer a reduced membership rate for subsequent years. Second, we eliminated degree and disciplinary requirements for membership in the ATS. Third, we made the affiliate level of membership a more attractive option for those wanting to be a part of the ATS, but who do not necessarily commit a high level of time and resources to leadership activities. And, lastly, we reduced fees significantly for international members.
Q. Why did you advocate for basing membership categories on level of involvement, rather than degree?
A. In creating a broad and diverse membership, we recognize that not everyone will be able or want to participate in the work of the ATS at the same level. Full membership in the Society is designed for those who see the ATS as their principal professional society. Affiliate membership is for all those who wish to be associated with the ATS and obtain the benefits of membership, but do not wish to seek leadership roles in the Society.
Q. You also mentioned reduced fees for international members. What do you hope to achieve by reducing these fees?
A. First and foremost, the ATS is an international organization. The ATS leadership recognizes the financial challenges for many people around the world. To encourage the participation of the greatest number of people, we created a graded structure of membership fees based on variations in national incomes and, hence, ability to pay.
Q. Whether a U.S. or international member, the increase in benefits for full members stands out. What are some of those new benefits, and why did you add them?
A. The most important benefit is the very substantial discount that is offered on the cost of all ATS products and services for full members, including the fees related to registering for the International Conference, submitting abstracts and publishing articles in our leading journals. We value our full members, and we know that they value the ATS. We wanted this value to be reflected in cost savings to the maximum degree possible.
Q. Over the past five or six years, the ATS has made a concerted effort to recruit fellows and other professionals in training or transition to the Society. Do you believe that the new membership structure furthers this effort?
A. The elimination of all disciplinary requirements for membership, the extension of the free first year of membership to all disciplines and the subsequent reduced fees for all individuals at any level of training should encourage and enable many more people to join the ATS early in their careers. The ATS leadership feels strongly that once trainees get to know and experience the benefits of ATS membership, their membership will carry forward after their training period ends.
Q. Will this membership restructuring in any way change the nature of the Society or its mission?
A. No. Quite to the contrary, the changes will enhance the Society. Healthcare today, wherever it is practiced, is a “team sport.” By opening the ATS membership up to a greater diversity of health professionals, the Society is validating the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare and better enabling the ATS to engage a wider variety and greater number of people to help pursue its mission “to improve health worldwide by advancing research, clinical care and public health in respiratory diseases, critical illnesses and sleep disorders.”
Q. What has the response been so far to the new membership program?
A. The new membership program is already drawing in more trainees and more international members, while providing greater value for both full and affiliate members.
Q. Do you envision any further changes?
A. Both ATS staff and leaders are monitoring the implementation of our new membership system. More importantly, we are listening to the feedback of both existing and new members at all levels. We will use this information to further improve our program to reach our goal of having as diverse and robust a membership as possible in the face of these economically challenging times.