Membership


What does it mean to be a member?


Membership in the organization includes access and networking to a national group of colleagues, access to resources posted, access to an active listserv, and reduced rates for conferences as well as regional gatherings.

About Chaplaincy

University and college chaplains are professional clergy and laypersons who seek to enhance the spiritual and ethical educational experience of the whole person—mind, body, and soul.


We encourage and support spiritual development, theological reflections, religious tolerance, and social awareness among students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment is to their spiritual well-being.


We ensure that all participants in campus life have access to religious, spiritual, and ethical services, resources, and practices of their own choosing. We provide opportunities for all to explore questions of meaning, value, and purpose. In times of joy and sorrow, we are dedicated to being a caring, gentle, accessible presence. And we promote respect for all beliefs, traditions, and worldviews, as well as considerate interaction with and learning from one another.


How do I become a member?

1. Choose your membership category

There are five categories of membership in the association.

Institutional Membership
 Institutional Membership covers individuals and multiple staff who are employed by their college or university with responsibility for religious and spiritual life on  campus. Institutional Members can be part time or full time in any arrangement, but they must be employed by  and compensated by the higher education institution. Institutional Active members gain access to members-only privileges, they can attend  conferences at a discounted rate, and they are able to vote in Business Meetings. The Board of Directors may designate different levels of annual dues based on how many members from the institution are covered under an institutional membership. 



Endorsed Institutional Membership

Endorsed Institutional Member(s) are in a part time or full time partnership at the member institution, working directly with students in a religious/spiritual capacity. Endorsed Member(s) may or may not be employed by the member institution, but must have an official relationship with them. Endorsed Institutional Member(s) must be endorsed by the Dean or Director of Religious/Spiritual Life or their designee at the member institution. Endorsed Members gain access to members-only privileges, they can attend conferences at a discounted rate, and they are able to vote in Business Meetings. Annual dues for the Endorsed Institutional Membership category are set by the Board of Directors. [See below for more information on requirements for Endorsed Institutional Membership]
Affiliate Membership
This membership level allows limited participation for individuals with a vested professional interest in the work of the Association. Affiliate members cannot vote in business meetings. They may gain access to some members-only privileges at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Affiliates have membership discounts for conferences.

Student Membership
Student Membership allows limited participation in the Association for individuals who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program (full time or part time) that supports the entry into the field of higher education chaplaincy or religious life work on college campuses. Student Members cannot vote in business meetings and they cannot represent “New Members” on the Executive Committee. They may gain access to some members-only privileges at the Board of Directors’ discretion. Students have membership discounts for conferences. Annual dues for the Student Membership category are set by the Board of Directors and are intended to be at a reduced rate.

Lifetime Members
Lifetime Members are designated by the Board of Directors as a way to honor individuals who are retiring from the profession of higher education chaplaincy and who have made significant contributions to the Association. The Board of Directors can determine the number of Lifetime Members to designate in a given year, if any. Those with Lifetime Member status shall not be required to pay annual dues or conference registration fees.

2. Apply to join ACSLHE!


Benefits of Different Membership Levels



 Institutional Members 

 Endorsed Institutional Members 

 Lifetime Members 

 Affiliate Members 

 Student Members 


Conference Rate


Member Rate 

Member Rate

Free

Member Rate

Student Rate


Monthly Newsletter


X

X

X

X



Monthly Gatherings


X

X

Select

Select

Select


Listserv/Forum


X

X

X




Voting


X

X





Access to Resource Library


X

X






Board Participation


X

Limited






Endorsed Membership Criteria:

  • 1 person from an organization

  • Outside your religious/spiritual tradition (for the purpose of membership all denominations of Christianity will be Christian, all sects of buddhism will be buddhism, all sects of hinduism will be hinduism, etc)

  • Letter addressing official relationship with the member institution:

    • Institutional Letterhead:

      • Indicate what kind of relationship, 

      • Organization(s) they’re affiliated with,

      • What work they are doing with students and how they are positively contributing to the work on their campus, 

      • Who oversees (access/approval to work with campus/students)  them, 

      • What value would they add to ACSLHE (how are they advancing the mission and vision of ACSLHE)

        • Include comments on your institutional structure and underrepresentation based on criteria below:

  • Underrepresentation

    • Majority of time on campus spent with students

      • These people may work limited hours because of full time jobs 

    • Serving a very specific community that often lacks chaplaincy sources

      • These people may often serve as the sole chaplain for these communities

  • Institutional Structure

    • Does not have institutional structure to pay a full time income to increase representation

      • Budget

      • Staffing

      • Location of Institution

    • A full-time employee must oversee their work on campus 

      • Providing accountability with institution

      • Understanding of work and presence on campus

      • Approves access to campus and campus resources

    • In good standing with member institution

      • Registered and active “affiliate” status with institution

      • Organization must be registered with institution

Additional Notes:

  • There may be exemptions on a case by case basis, such as those paid by a denomination affiliated with the University will still be classified as Institutional Membership.
  • Who pays for the membership is up to the endorsed member and the institution.






Who else is a member?






















































































































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