Read more about membership in the National Association and in Individual Councils.
For a list of member councils see link in navigation bar at left.

National Board Member Amb. Marilyn McAfee and San Diego Council President Ina Von Ber enjoy a WACA Conference.

Organization of Organizations
The national association is an umbrella organization for the world affairs councils across the country. Its members are organizations, not individuals.

The national association has affiliates, organizations at home and abroad that have a strategic working partnership with the council system.

Joining the National Association
To join the national association, an organization must be non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental, and based on open membership.  If you are interested in starting a council, we urge to contact the WACA as soon as possible to ensure a smooth process.

Application to join is made by writing a letter to the President describing the organization and stating that it adheres to core non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental, open membership principles as well as filling out a form supplied by the WACA.  The national board or its executive committee make the decisions on membership, normally at its next meeting. If yes, admission is immediate. For a council newly starting up, the annual dues are $200 for one year only. Thereafter the council goes over to the regular dues system.

Annual Dues
World affairs councils that belong to the national association pay annual dues. The dues system has a floor of $200 per year and a ceiling of $3750 a year. The amount paid by an individual council varies by the number of members that it has, including corporate members.

Membership renewal forms are mailed out in the beginning quarter of the year.   That page contains the graduated dues levels for quick calculation. Councils receive a 10% discount on their dues if paid by April 15. There is a 10% penalty for dues paid after May 31. If a council does not pay its dues by the end of the year, it is dropped from national rolls and all further communication and benefits cease.

 

Membership in Individual Councils

Secretary General Kofi Annan speaks to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on its 50th Anniversary.

Individuals belong to the various councils around the country. Each council sets its own policies and practices for members within the framework of the principle of open membership.

If you wish to join, contact the individual council to find out its membership fees, benefits, and programs.

Generally speaking, membership fees vary between $25 - $75 per year and are renewable annually. Most councils have upper level memberships with additional benefits as well. Most websites have some information on membership and contact information. The member councils page of this website will take you directly to a particular website in the council system. If you have difficulties, contact the national office for further assistance.

The world affairs council system is the biggest international affairs non-profit organization in the United States. We welcome your interest in us and hope you will join!