🚀 go-pugleaf

June 18, 1996
The American Association for Software Developers began accepting membership 
applications in April.  Since that time we have received just under a thousand 
inquiries and have mailed 187 enrollment kits.

Our concern is the turnaround time.  Response has been extremely positive, and 
many developers seem to feel the time is right for a professional association. 
 But it takes forever to get the applications back.

As we have discussed in many previous postings, and as described on our home 
page (http://www.aasd.com/www/shepherd) we want to make this a very strong 
organization.  We want to do national advertising, to let your clients and 
future employers know where to find you.  We want to establish a group of 
reputable, dependable developers who have proven track records, and who can 
deliver.  We want everyone (developers and consumers alike) to know that the 
AASD logo stands for professionalism and customer satisfaction in one of the 
most powerful and versatile industries in the world.

But we can't do this without a strong membership.

So... on this end we have taken a few steps to make the whole thing easier.
1.  We have added criteria for mainframe developers.
2.  We no longer require a notarized signature. 
3.  Criteria have been modified wherever possible to facilitate compliance.
4.  If only a portion of your processing fee is required for postage or 
long-distance phone calls, the remainder will be applied toward your 
membership.

Now it's up to you.  If you're ready for a professional association, prove it 
with your membership in the AASD.  Take the initiative.  Be among the first 
one thousand members in an organization that will help you grow your business 
into the twenty-first century.  You'll win three ways.  First, you will be a 
Charter Member, and as such will help design and direct the only professional 
developers' organization of its kind.  Second, you will benefit from all of 
the advantages of a professional association.  Third, in the coming years, 
when developers and customers all know the importance of membership in the 
AASD, you'll take pride in knowing you were one of the pioneers who made it 
happen.

One more thing.  To those of you who haven't yet returned your applications, 
please let us have your comments, positive or negative.  We will not lose 
sight of the fact that the AASD is a developers' organzation, and we welcome 
(in fact, we solicit) your opinions.  We have already made several changes 
based on suggestions from developers worldwide.

Don't let this opportunity just fade away.  Professional associations have 
been around for centuries for good reason.   Teachers, doctors, actors, 
plumbers, even King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table: all of these 
groups knew there was strength in numbers.

For those who write the programs that run the world, the AASD is here to serve 
you.  But first you have to say yes.

See our home page (http://www.aasd.com/www/shepherd) for membership fees, 
criteria, and more.

Toni Shepherd