Annual Membership Fees
• 2012-13 Membership Dues period (NOW OPEN)
Feb. 1 - Sept. 14, 2012: time frame for regular dues payment
Sept. 15, 2012 - Feb. 1, 2013: time frame for dues payment with late fee
Renew or join for 2012-13 via online credit card payment
Renew or join for 2012-13 via check payment - use the 2012-13 mail-in form (PDF)
Remember, you MUST be a current CoSIDA member to nominate for - and vote on - Capital One Academic All-America®/All-District Team honors.
We ask that CoSIDA members renew, and new members join, by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 which is the cutoff date for 2012-13 membership payments without incurring a late fee. After that date, a $30.00 late fee will be added to your dues payment. (Exceptions to this late fee are listed below).
At the time of renewal or joining, the CoSIDA Board also asks everyone to review their online directory information and make all necessary edits/updates. Each person who is the CUSTODIAN of an organizational account (who can edit/update all organization info, staff info and pay membership dues for all staffers) is also asked to review and update directory information.
• Membership Categories
2012-13 DUES
(after Sept. 14, 2012)***
Active ($145) – those who work at a college/university/conference media relations office or affiliated office
Associate ($155)- those who are employed at an organization which works in – or with – intercollegiate athletics – but is not working directly on a campus or in a conference office
Student ($65) – interns, graduate assistants, graduate students/interns, undergraduate students/interns
*** AFTER SEPT. 14, 2012 a $30.00 late fee wil be accessed. EXCEPTIONS TO THIS SEPT. 14, 2012 $30.00 LATE FEE:
Any first-time CoSIDA member, and any professional who is in transition or changing jobs after Sept. 14, will pay only the regular membership fees ($35.00, $115.00 or $125.00). The late fee will be assessed to only those currently in positions as of Sept. 14.
Apply For Membership NOW!
If you wish to benefit from the professional business opportunities that CoSIDA membership offers you:
• Complete membership renewal or new membership online at: cosida.com/register.aspx
Want to renew or join with an online credit card payment?
Membership Online Renewal & Login Information
Want to renew or join by check payment and mail it to the CoSIDA Director of Internal Operations Will Roleson? (all mailing instructions are on the form):
2012-13 Membership Mail-In Dues Form (PDF)
Want to review your school and/or individual membership E-directory information?
View E-Directory information
Want to make updates or request to be a custodian of your organization's account?
Log In to Update Your Directory Information
Membership Benefits: Why Join and Become Involved in CoSIDA?
Download Document: Membership Benefits: Why Join and Become Involved in CoSIDA? [PDF]
THE BENEFITS
Accountability
* To and for your profession
* To and for your colleagues
* To and for CoSIDA
For the first time in CoSIDA history, we are making a truly concerted strategic and professional effort to advance our standing and position within the overall collegiate community. Our membership, our Board, our divisional leadership groups and special committees are set up to deal with strategic initiatives, opportunities and challenges; these CoSIDA leaders need to know and see our "joint commitment" throughout the profession and our divisional membership groups.
We need to demonstrate to all that we are a vibrant and determined profession of PR experts who come from all tiers of collegiate athletics. Our leadership groups need to see and feel "our passionate resolve,” and present this to leadership groups throughout the intercollegiate community, showing that we are "one" as a profession and organization.
Being a supportive dues-paying member is the crucial first action step to all of this.
All-America® Program: Members Only Nominate and Vote
• the Capital One Academic All-America® program is CoSIDA’s signature program and ONLY current dues-paying CoSIDA members may nominate deserving student-athletes for this prestigious honor
• founded by CoSIDA in 1952, the Academic All-America® Teams program recognizes and awards our nation's premier college scholar-athletes for their ability to achieve excellence on the playing field and in the classroom
• annually until 2011-12 (when the AAA program DOUBLED in size and honorees), CoSIDA selected 816 student-athletes to six men's teams (soccer, football, basketball, baseball, at-large and track & field/cross country) and six women's teams (soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, at-large and track & field/cross country) in Division I, II and III, NAIA, junior college and Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) in all NCAA and CIS championship sports.
In 2011-12, there are FOUR Capital One Academic All-America teams - Division I, Division II, Division III and a College Division comprising NAIA, two-year colleges and Canadian institutions.
Awards & Contests for Members Only
CoSIDA Sponsors a series of Special Awards and recognitions given annually to highlight communications excellence and dedication to the profession. Only dues-paying members may nominate for these awards.
CoSIDA sponsors annual contests for writing and publishing and encourages members to submit their work for recognition at the district and national levels. It is no small honor to receive an award since judging is done by athletic news media and communications leaders from across the nation.
Benefits for Interns, Graduate Assistants & Students
CoSIDA committed to helping interns, graduate interns and graduate and undergraduate students working in athletic PR offices become part of the athletic communications industry while still undergoing their studies. We provide a
very affordable Student Membership rate of $35 a year (regular rate as of 2012-13 dues).
Becoming a student member of CoSIDA gives you many opportunities in the industry, including:
- Networking with practicing communications/PR professionals
- Student mentorship program
- Employment notices
- Scholarships and awards information
- Volunteer experience
- Registration for annual Convention at member rates
- Notification of member educational conference calls, webinars/deadlines/contest/Convention info
Career Center and Job Registry
Use Our Career Resources Center:?The CoSIDA.com Career Center provides a convenient and popular way for people who either need or provide communication services to connect with each other. Nearly 400 job opportunities on average advertised per year. Organizations can post their in-house job opportunities and members can post their resumes. CoSIDA also posts career transactions. CoSIDA members pay half-price ($100 vs. $200) for each job placement ad.
Community Outreach
Contribute to the Community. CoSIDA’s community outreach strategic initiatives – called “CoSIDA Cares” and coordinated by the Goodwill and Wellness Committee – supports CoSIDA’s core values and provide avenues for community service.
Continuing Education
Members are notified about continuing education opportunities via organization-wide or division-specific conference calls, webinars, online presentations, CoSIDA.com special features, weekly informational emails, etc … all free of charge. In addition, professional opportunities abound at the annual CoSIDA Convention.
Convention Participation
Enhance your professional skills, network with other athletic communications professionals and leading communications experts and leaders. Discover what the best minds in the industry are doing to meet today’s communications challenges. Build relationships with educators and professionals in the industry. Enjoy social programming.
Be inspired and motivated via interactions with colleagues from around the nation. Identity and discover the latest trends, innovations, technology and ideas to do your job more effectively. Share ideas and exchange information to enhance your communications efforts and discover solutions to enhance your daily work and drive revenue. Recent keynote presenters include professional and NCAA sports leaders, former White House press secretaries Kevin Sullivan and Ari Fleischer, Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Famer Amy Perko, motivational speaker and former college football coach Lou Holtz, and national leaders in digital media.
CoSIDA.com
Access to Information: CoSIDA provides information on a myriad of media relations/ communications/media relations/social media/professional development/resource items and topics via its website – CoSIDA.com. Information ranges from news and videos to downloads of specific materials through links to related sites.
Insights, Ideas & Opportunities: CoSIDA continues to develop and refine a series of postings/writing/features/discussions designed to offer the athletic communications professional and athletic leaders insights into the profession and techniques and tools for the athletic communications professional.
Distinguish Yourself Professionally With Participation
Members can utilize and strengthen their leadership skills by:
- serving on the association’s Board of Directors and officer rotation (via a nomination and voting method)
- participating on the university division or college division management advisory committees (UDMAC, CDMAC)
- serving as a Committee member
- participating in the many CoSIDA professional conference call/webinars and community service projects
- contributing to CoSIDA publications and new media efforts (CoSIDA website, monthly e-digest, webinars)
- becoming a presenter or panelist at the annual Convention
- entering professional work in a variety of contests for writing and publications
Enhanced Professionalism
CoSIDA members are united by a Code of Ethics and Constitution and a growing sense of unified approaches and direction due to master strategic plan and approach.
Extensive News & Info Sent Directly to Membership
• Directory: CoSIDA publishes an annual directory of members (PDF format)
• Online directory: Track down members and affiliate members via the fully searchable online directory system.
• Weekly “CoSIDA Communications Watch”: What’s New in Our Industry: email of links to best practices, professional development ideas, how-to's for the communications professional, communication strategies (crisis, strategic, branding, reputation management), social media trends, writing tips, and much more!
• Monthly Schedule/Calendar of Events & Important Dates
• Career Center: Job Listings & Transactions
• Save the Date memos
• Monthly Board of Directors E-Newsletter
• Eight CoSIDA Corner Columns from NACDA’s Athletics Administration magazine annually, which are written by CoSIDA leaders and members and circulated to over 10,000 university and athletics administrators
• CoSIDA E-Digest: published online 11 times a year (August through June). Consists of general professional news, ideas, opinions, contest information, professional development articles and features on the top people and leaders in our industry
• Annual Report: highlighting key events and honors/awards, review of CoSIDA Convention, fiscal information, and successful strategic communications and CoSIDA leadership goals and objectives
Influence the Future of Our Profession
Facilitation is a growing discipline. Participation in CoSIDA sponsored programming is shaping that facilitation. Participation in a wide-range of CoSIDA leadership opportunities is helping to shape our profession, our professional organization and our standing within the collegiate community.
International Scope
CoSIDA is the largest professional organization for athletic communications and media relations professionals in the United States and Canada – with a membership enrollment of 2,700+ and growing.
Member Discounts?
All members receive special rates on the annual conference registrations. There are also three levels of paid membership (active, associate, student), with graduate students/interns/undergraduate students eligible for special rates. For CoSIDA Career Center job postings, members pay 50% of advertising fee ($100 vs. $200 for non-members).
Membership Directory Listing
The Membership E-Directory is a comprehensive listing of all CoSIDA members with contact information, school websites and mailing addresses. It also has a listing of the leading media (magazines, websites, e-newsletters) in the communications and media industries which functions as a press list. Also included are sponsors and affiliate members, listing services, contact names and addresses. It is available in hard copy format (PDF) and in an online format.
Networking Opportunities
• with colleagues in the athletic communications industry
• with collegiate athletic leaders in the overall athletics industry and community
• with colleagues at all levels of athletic communications – from colleges and universities, to national governing bodies, corporations and private practice
• Members interact with other colleagues at the national convention and with sponsors, exhibitors
• CoSIDA website communities (LinkedIn, Twitter) are open to all. Members easily keep in contact using the online Member Directory
• CoSIDA members are characteristically open to sharing their knowledge and expertise, as well as mentoring others. The international nature of CoSIDA with U.S. and Canadian affords the possibility of interchange and networking with colleagues from diverse divisions, locations and regional’s/cultural backgrounds.
Professional Development
Skills and Leadership Development. CoSIDA offers a variety of opportunities to develop and sharpen your communications skills and techniques and create opportunities for professional growth through FREE year-round webinars and membership conference calls; and the opportunity to attend the annual convention. These include topics ranging from methods for beginning athletic PR professionals, specific skills for all levels, and advanced sessions by experts in the field and professionals in allied areas of communications, leadership, marketing, media, web development, etc.
Profile Yourself as CoSIDA Member
As a CoSIDA member you can use the CoSIDA logo in all your marketing material, like websites and marketing materials.
Raise Awareness for Your Deserving Alumni via the Capital One Academic All-America® Hall of Fame
Raise awareness for your scholar-athlete alumni and bring distinction to your campus by nominating for the Capital One Academic All-America® Hall of Fame.
Created in 1988, the Capital One Academic All-America® Hall of Fame honors former Academic All-Americas who have graduated at least 10 years ago, have achieved success in their professional careers and have committed themselves to making their community a better place through charitable work. An induction ceremony is held annually to honor the deserving class representatives.
Apply For Membership NOW!
If you wish to benefit from the professional business opportunities that CoSIDA membership offers you:
• Complete membership renewal or new membership online at: cosida.com/register.aspx
• Complete membership renewal or 2012-13 membership mail-in application form (PDF)and mail to Will Roleson, CoSIDA Director of Internal Operations.