I didn't take the time to comment on the thread related to the dues increase for ARMA Membership.  However, I have been thinking about the topic as I use the resources provided by my membership.

My thoughts:
For my membership dues I get:
*	To attend 8 or more local educational and networking meetings per year (and get CRM credit)
*	Access to numerous free educational webinars - have just taken 2 and am registered for two others next month - all are on timely subjects:
o	Challenges of Managing New Technologies to Meet Legal Requirements 
o	IT and Records Managers: Practical Electronic Discovery and Your Day in Court
o	Personal Productivity Strategies for RIM Professionals 
o	Tackling the Challenge of Managing Paper and Electronic Records
*	Representation at the table of an ISO conference in Europe 
*	Representation at the table with various other partners in the legal and IT profession
*	6 information packed issues of the IMJ each year
*	Reduced costs for attendance at a valuable annual conference and local/regional conferences
*	Recognition as a member of a valuable professional organization
*	Numerous opportunities to participate in leadership roles to advance my learning

And more I am forgetting for sure.  

I think my membership is most worthwhile.  Although my employer pays, if that benefit were not provided for me, I would think it a good investment in myself and my career to pay the annual fee for myself - realizing that for less than $25 a month, I get so very much.

Thanks,
Mary Hilliard, CRM