The SUG membership and dues submittal process was implemented to give SUG Inc. a source of revenue to operate as an independent user's group of the Sunquest System.

The 2006 annual meeting was the last meeting that SUG Inc. was responsible for the costs associated with the meeting. Up until this time it was possible for your site to become a member in one of two ways; at least one person from your site attend the annual meeting or if you did not attend your site paid the annual dues. The cost of membership was the same whether someone from your site attended the annual meeting or not. Your site was a member of the user group for a one year period.

Beginning in 2007 meeting, Sunquest assumed responsibility for the planning of the annual meeting. The registration fee for the annual meeting is paid to Sunquest. Consequently SUG Inc. has had to develop a revenue stream that allows us to maintain our mission of being an independent user's group.

As you are aware there are expenses associated with running a business. SUG Inc. is a not for profit organization. The site's membership fee helps cover the organization's expenses; accounting fees, attorney fees, tax return preparation, web site licenses and development and other costs associated with continuing our prime objective of working with Sunquest and the SIG/RUG processes, helping to educate our users and to guarantee a successful annual meeting. Membership in SUG, Inc. will now be on a yearly basis ending on the last day of the annual meeting and the annual dues for the 2010-2011 timeframe have been set at $200 per site. From a benefits standpoint:

• As a member, you and any person from your site utilizing a Sunquest Information System product are automatically entitled to receive any documentation and presentations from the SUG annual meeting.
• SUG, Inc. members are eligible to nominate candidates for the SUG, Inc. Board of Directors, SIG Chairs/Vice Chair or to serve as an officer on the Board, a SIG Chair/Vice Chair and RUG Chair/Vice Chair. As a member of the Board, or in a SIG or RUG Leadership position you will help guide future development and enhancements of the Sunquest products and determine the future of the SUG, Inc. organization.
• SUG, Inc. membership entitles the site to one ballot to vote for SUG, Inc. officers, SIG leadership positions and any SUG, Inc. By-law changes that are brought before the general membership.
• Only SUG, Inc. members can participate in the SIG (Special Interest Group) process. The SIG process is instrumental in the development and enhancement of the Sunquest suite of products that we use and the product road maps that are developed with Sunquest.
• As a member, your site has complete access to the SUG, Inc. area on the Sunquest Home page. The ability to view all links within this Members Only area is limited to SUG, Inc. members.
• As a member, your site has complete access to the Members Only section of the SUG, Inc. web site which includes the SIG meeting process as well as the ability view the master enhancement list and to place your enhancement votes when that time comes.

These only touch on the benefits of membership. The value of camaraderie and the learning experience is priceless. If you have any questions, let me or any of the board members know. Please consider all of the above information to join, rejoin or renew your membership in SUG, Inc. - your user group.