Who can join MSS? The Midwest region includes the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, but any research worker or any other person employed as a sociologist, or any persons interested in the field of sociology shall be eligible for regular membership in the Society upon payment of dues. [from the MSS bylaws.]
Do I have to be a member to participate in the annual meeting? Participants in the Annual Meeting must be members of the MSS. The only exceptions are foreign sociologists, non-sociologists and certain invited guests. The President-Elect, with assistance from the Executive Office, has the primary responsibility for ensuring that participants are members.[from the MSS Policies & Procedures.]
How much does membership cost?
Membership rates for the current year are:
$21 student membership
$55 regular membership
$70 joint membership
$110 sustaining membership
$140 joint sustaining membership
Life members pay no dues. Life membership is awarded by the MSS Board of Directors at the
request of the member. See the criteria below.
When does the membership year begin and end?
Membership is for the calendar year, beginning Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31. If you join MSS between January and August 31, you will become a member for the current year, and back copies of the current year's publications will be sent to you. If you join MSS after Sept. 1, your membership will begin the following January, unless you direct otherwise.
What are the benefits of membership?
MSS members:
Have a voice in MSS governance.
May participate in the annual meeting.
Are eligible for MSS grants, and for committee and board service with MSS.
Have the opportunity to pre-register for MSS annual meetings and attend at a
discounted rate.
Enjoy electronic access to all past issues of The Sociological Quarterly.
Upon retirement from professional duties and the fulfillment of such other criteria as the Board of Directors shall designate, a regular member shall be eligible for life membership. [from the MSS bylaws]
Life members shall have all the privileges of regular members, but shall not be required to pay dues. To request life membership, please send a short letter tin care of the executive director, addressing it to the current president and board of directors. The letter should reference your years of membership, participation in annual meetings, committee and board service, and retirement date. Your request will be acted upon at the next board meeting.
How can I join MSS or renew my membership?
There are two ways to join MSS or renew your membership:
Use your PayPal account or any credit card to pay online through PayPal's secure website. [No need to open a PayPal account if you don't already have one! Just download and follow the directions on this form for online payment of membership only.]You will pay first, at the PayPal website, but then you MUST return to the form, complete it, do a 'save as,' and send it as an attachment to the MSS office.
To pay by mail, use this form for check/credit card payment of membership only and enclose check OR money order OR info for payment by Discover, MasterCard or Visa. [No other credit cards by this method, please.]
CAUTION:!
FOLLOW the directions on the membership forms.
NEVER send cash through the mail.
NEVER send credit card numbers by email.
What are the different kinds of membership?
STUDENT MEMBERSHIP is available to graduate and undergraduate students at any institution of higher learning. Persons gainfully employed as sociologists should not be student members. Students may join at a higher level by paying the appropriate dues.
JOINT MEMBERSHIP is offered to two members who share the same address. Both joint members may vote in MSS elections, but only one set of publications will be sent to their joint address.
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP: Sustaining memberships include contributions to the Endowment and Minority Fellowship Funds, thus helping MSS to provide minority scholarships, support the society’s operations now and in the future, and keeping dues and meeting registration fees low!
Changes of address and questions about membership status or missing publications should be emailed to theMSS Executive Director.
For a more immediate response, phone the Executive Director at (608) 787-8551.
$21 
