The Page Society is a membership organization composed of individuals who have distinguished themselves in the field of corporate communications or public relations. The emphasis is on "corporate" public relations as distinguished from association, government, education, medical or other types of non-profit organizations.

It is anticipated that members will be peers and able to share common experiences and challenges. It is expected that members understand, accept, and support the Page Principles.

Membership in the Page Society is restricted to professionals who are, or have been, in policy-making positions or who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the field of public relations or corporate communications. Membership is granted to individuals, not the companies they represent. Although it has strict criteria for gaining membership, the Society has been able to attract the best and brightest of the profession. Members are proven leaders who set the standards for the profession.

Who can join?

There are two major categories of membership, as defined in the Society's bylaws, Individual and Educator:

• Individual - An individual member is any member that does not qualify as an Educator, Honorary or Life Member. Annual dues for individual members are $1395. The criteria for an Individual member are as follows:

Individuals in a corporate position:

1. Must hold the top corporate communications position and have a broad range of responsibilities. For example, candidates who report to the CEO and appear in the Annual Report are highly desirable for membership.
   
2. The individual holding the top communications position in the US for a non-US based corporation also is eligible for consideration.
   
3. An individual's company should generate at least $2 billion in annual revenues.
   
4. Eligible candidates should have held their current position for at least one year.

Individuals in an agency position must hold the top position (CEO) in the agency, and must meet two of these three criteria:

1. Be recognized as having a significant practice in corporate communications with major corporations, particularly with Fortune 500 companies.
   
2. Be employed in an agency with annual fees exceeding $10 million.
   
3. Be considered a thought leader in corporate communications as evidenced by activities such as published articles, speaking engagements and contributions to the industry.
• Educator - To be considered for membership as an educator in the Arthur W. Page Society candidates must be:
  
1. Employed in a full-time public relations or corporate communication teaching position in an accredited institution of higher learning; and,
   
2. Regarded as a thought leader in public relations or corporate communication based upon publication of a substantial body of research that has made a significant contribution to the body of knowledge and literature of our field.

In addition, candidates must meet one of these two criteria:

1. Possess an earned doctorate or its equivalent.
   
2. Be currently serving as the director or senior faculty member of their program or instructional group in their institution of higher learning.

Since educators comprise only a small percentage of membership in the Page Society and the justification for admitting educator members is to enhance interaction and discussion at Society meetings and events, it is expected each educator member will make a significant commitment to attend and participate in Page Society meetings and activities on a regular basis. Annual dues for educators are $595.

We are Growing Globally

The Arthur W. Page Society welcomes nominations for membership from qualifying senior public relations professionals in companies in all countries.

"Corporate communications is a global profession," said former president Tom Martin, "and the Society's growing international membership reflects our common interest in issues confronting practitioners in major companies around the globe."

While the Society's current membership is largely North American, several Europe-based corporate communicators are active in the Society and are encouraging others to consider participation.

Where ever they are situated, Society members have access to full membership benefits - from conference and committee participation to networking with others in the Society. The Society's web site provides news and information to all inquirers. Member contact information is accessible exclusively to members.

What's the process for becoming a member of the Society?

The process for joining the Arthur W. Page Society is this:

• An active member of the Society proposes consideration of the individual, by completing the sponsorship form available from the Society's office or by writing a letter describing the individual's job and title (and to whom the individual reports), and if practicable, enclosing a current biography of the candidate.
• The Membership Committee reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees for action at regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. Accepted candidates and their sponsors are notified. If a candidate is not accepted, the sponsor is notified.
• The proposed candidate receives an application and guidelines for submitting it to the Society's offices. Upon payment of the appropriate fee, the candidate becomes a member immediately and is more formally and personally welcomed at the next annual conference of the Society.

For answers to specific questions on Arthur W. Page Society membership, contact Angela Buonocore (angela.buonocore@itt.com), chair of the Membership Committee. To download a membership sponsor form, please click here. To renew current membership, please click here.

What are the opportunities for participation?

All members are invited to all functions of the Society and all are qualified for election to the Board of Trustees, to become officers, and to serve on committees. A questionnaire is sent to each new member, asking for his or her interests and preferences for committee assignment. Each committee chair welcomes volunteers to committee work.

Renewing your membership:

To renew your membership for 2010, please click here.