The Value of Membership

What is the value of Membership?

SDA’s mission is to promote the exchange of ideas and to educate our members in the related disciplines of design firm administration. SDA is an elite organization that addresses the issues, concerns, and educates its members in all aspects of design firm administration. If you are employed as an administrator in the A/E/C industry, then you should become a member!

Our primary objectives are:

• To enhance practice administration through personal growth and continued education
• To encourage career growth and excellence through a Certified Design Administration (SDA/C) program
• To contribute to the development of office systems and materials
• To work with institutions of higher education to establish a curriculum for the training of design field personnel
• To cooperate with civic organizations whose undertakings are non-profit, non-political, and of vital interest to the community
• To enhance the network of our members and their firms within the A/E/C community

Here are just a few of the benefits members receive:

• List Serv
  SDA has several member List Servs, principal, member, chapters, etc. The List Serv is an email-based discussion group. From here you can dip into the pool of knowledge of other SDA members by posting queries, offering advice, and sharing best practices in your related discipline.
• Certification Program (SDA/C)
  When you join SDA your are allowed to put "SDA" after your name to show you have started, and are willing, to further your knowledge and grow. The Certification Program takes that a step further. By meeting specific requirements and taking specific courses you can become SDA Certified and use "SDA/C". This is a high honor among members of SDA and the design industry and serves as a tangible measure of competence.
• BTD White Papers
  SDA's White Papers are educational tools for SDA members. Posted quarterly, they offer an exchange of knowledge in the six areas of design administration: human resources, office administration, project management, finance, information technology, and marketing.
• BTD News
  The BTD News highlights member’s accomplishments and activities. This can include press releases for individuals, member firms, or Chapters; articles written by members of news (rather than educational or informational) nature; or announcements that are applicable for members.
• Monthly eWire
  Members receive the SDA electronic eWire each month. The eWire offers members information about upcoming events or meetings in addition to industry related issues. Reading the eWire is a great way to stay tuned.
• Networking, Regional Conferences, Annual Conventions, Leadership Conferences and MUCH MORE!

Membership Categories

Regular
Those persons employed as administrative personnel for an architect, engineer, or design professional related to the construction industry, whether in private practice, on the staff of a licensing or registration board, a school, or any other public or private institution or company, and consultants who perform design services administration for the entities described above. They shall pay Chapter and National Dues, and shall have the right to vote and hold Chapter and National office.

Regular members are office managers, marketing directors, business managers, bookkeepers, secretaries, human resource managers, etc., who work for architecture, engineering, interior design, and general contracting firms. Persons who offer marketing, finance, word processing, desktop publishing services, etc., to such firms are also regular members.

Associate
Those persons whose products or services support the design profession. They shall pay Chapter and National Dues. They shall have the right to attend all meetings of SDA, to speak and take part in the discussions thereat, but they shall not have the right to be Chapter President or hold National office.

Associate members are vendors who provide products and other services to our member firms, such as office and drafting suppliers, travel agents, insurance agents, reprographics consultants, plan centers, etc.

Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large is available when there is no existing chapter in the same area. (If there is no chapter in your area, please contact the Vice President of SDA at the link below for information on becoming a Member-at-Large.) A Member-at-Large shall have the same eligibility requirements as a Regular Member. A Member-at-Large shall not have a voting representative on the Board of Directors.

Emeritus
Those members in good standing at the time of retirement from professional life in the design profession for a minimum of 12 years and SDA for a minimum of 10 years. Retirees shall be assessed National Dues to cover the cost of mailings, etc. Local Dues may be assessed as designated by the individual chapter. They shall have all the rights and privileges of membership afforded them prior to retirement, except the right to hold National office or that of President Elect or President of their chapter. If an Emerita/Emeritus member is certified (SDA/C) at the time of retirement, he/she shall maintain that status without the need to renew.

Student

Those persons who are currently enrolled as full-time students in an accredited program leading to a certificate or degree in architecture, engineering, interior design, or with a professed interest in applying their studies to the professional administration of such businesses. They shall pay Chapter and National dues. They shall have the right to attend all meetings of SDA, to speak and take part in the discussions thereat, and to serve as committee members. They shall not have the right to vote, to serve as a committee chair, or to hold Chapter or National office.

If you have any questions about membership in the St. Louis Chapter of SDA, please contact Katheryne Morschl at kmorschl@mcclureeng.com or or 314-645-6232.

New Member Application can be found here: application