| Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
Elections FAQ are on Elections page
What are SAJA membership fees used for?
Despite phenomenal growth over the last few years, SAJA remains an entirely volunteer-run organization. Your membership dues help offset the costs of the many programs and services we offer, such as job fairs, workshops, scholarships, mentorship / training programs, journalism awards, mailing lists, freelance forum, and nationwide events, just to name a few. If you have found any of our activities helpful, I urge you to rejoin SAJA. Our membership rates remain among the lowest in the industry.
Every week, we receive a great number of requests from journalists seeking help on stories, advice on job searches or contacts in the industry. Many of these seekers are not SAJA members.
Do I have to be a SAJA member to attend SAJA events?
No. Most SAJA events are open to the public and aim to benefit the public at large. However, many events charge a lower admission fee for SAJA members. For example, the annual journalism convention organized by SAJA Group, Inc. offers significant discounts in its registration fees for SAJA members. Most of our informational mailings are sent to all subscribers without charge, except for a few lists, such as job listings, which are sent to SAJA members only.
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How do I sign up to become a SAJA member?
Signing up is easy, is very simple and will take only a few minutes.
First, please review the following paragraph which describes the types of membership categories SAJA offers (these are subject to amendment from time to time):
Full membership in SAJA is open to all journalists resident in North America or working for a North American journalism organization. ($20 per annum; $200 for Life Membership)
Student membership is open to those attending higher-education institutions or high schools in North America. ($10 per annum)
Associate membership is open to all other individuals, including non-journalists in North America and journalists living abroad. All memberships are subject to the approval of the membership committee. ($40 per annum; $400 for Life Membership)
To join SAJA, please visit our website at http://www.saja.org/membership.html and click on the links to join which will take you to the website of eRSVP.com which administers our membership system. Follow the links to the membership category appropriate to you.
Please be sure to fill in all the information required. Make sure your address, employer name, telephone number and other details are current.
All applications to join / renew membership are subject to the review of SAJA's membership committee. And, membership fees are subject to revision from time to time.
The membership fee may be paid by credit card (preferred) or by a check, in US dollars, drawn on an American branch of a bank.
If you are paying by check, please make the check payable to: South Asian Journalists Association and mail the check to: SAJA, c/o John Laxmi, Treasurer, 19 Eisenhower Road, Closter, NJ 07624.
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How do I renew my SAJA membership?
Renewing your SAJA membership is easy, simple and will take only a few minutes.
Please visit: http://www.saja.org/membership.html and click on the link to renew your membership. This will take you to the site of eRSVP which administers our membership system.
On the left hand side of the eRSVP site, you will see a “Login” link. Click on this link. Next, you will be asked to input your email address and your password. Enter your email address and password (remember, all membership data are tracked by email addresses, not by name). This will enable you to get into the membership system and change your email address. Please also take a few minutes to review ALL OTHER information about you and make sure your postal address, telephone number, occupation, interests, etc. are all updated.
If you forgot your password, enter your email address and click on the link “Did you forget your password? Click here” and the system will email your password to your email address. Using the password and your email address, enter the system and change your email address to your new email address.
You may pay your membership fee by credit card (preferred) or by check.
When I try to renew my membership, I keep getting a message that my email address is not valid. What does this mean?
This means that the email address you are entering is not recognized by the system, most likely because you had originally signed up using a different (or an old) email address. All SAJA membership records are tracked by email address, not by last name. Therefore, it is important that you enter the system using the same email address you used in your prior membership periods. If your email address has changed and you no longer have access to your old email address, please send a message with your full name, your old email address and your new email address to: saja@columbia.edu and we will help you change your email address.
I’ve changed my email address. How do I enter the SAJA membership system to renew or edit my information?
If you no longer have access to your OLD email address, please send a message with your full name, your old email address and your new email address to: saja@columbia.edu and we will try to help you change your email address.
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I forgot my password. What do I do?
Visit: http://www.saja.org/membership.html and click on the link to update your information. This will take you to the site of eRSVP which administers our membership system.
On the left hand side of the eRSVP site, you will see a “Login” link. Click on this link. Next, you will be asked to input your email address and your password. If you forgot your password, enter your email address and click on the link “Did you forget your password? Click here” and the system will email your password to your email address. Using the password and your email address, you can now enter the system.
Can I pay my membership fee in installments?
No. At this time, SAJA membership fees are payable in full at the time of renewal or enrolment.
Does SAJA offer Lifetime membership?
Yes. Full members and Associate members may become Life Members (Full) or Life Members (Associate) by paying the applicable fees for Life Membership. Please visit the membership system for information on the current schedule of fees. Please note that fees are set by SAJA’s Board of Directors and are subject to revision, from time to time.
Will I get a receipt for my membership dues?
Unfortunately, SAJA does not have any staff to issue receipts or send an acknowledgement of your payment. You will not get a receipt from SAJA for your payment. However, the eRSVP system automatically generates and sends you an email acknowledging that your membership information has been entered into the system. This email from eRSVP is not a receipt. Your credit card company’s charge or paid check will serve as evidence of your payment to SAJA.
Can I resign my SAJA membership and obtain a refund of fees paid to SAJA?
No. All membership fees paid to SAJA are non-refundable, except in cases where there is an error or overcharge.
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Does SAJA membership make me eligible for healthcare benefits or other discounts on purchases from SAJA or other vendors?
No. SAJA membership does not entitle the member to any compensation or healthcare benefits or accreditation. SAJA members are entitled to discount from the regular admission fees and registration fees at certain (but not all) events hosted or co-hosted by SAJA events and the annual SAJA convention.
Is my SAJA membership transferable to a friend, colleague or spouse?
No. SAJA membership is NOT transferable.
How often is SAJA membership to be renewed?
Is the membership to be renewed each calendar year?
SAJA membership is renewable annually (except for Life Members). SAJA membership commences from the date the membership is approved which is usually within one week of the member entering ALL relevant information into the SAJA membership system AND after the membership fees are received by SAJA. Annual membership expires one year from the date the membership is approved.
Are my membership fees tax deductible?
Membership fees paid to SAJA are NOT tax-deductible as charitable donations. SAJA is a non-profit organization but SAJA is not a charitable organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Are donations I make to SAJA tax deductible?
No. Donations to SAJA are NOT tax-deductible as charitable donations. SAJA is a non-profit organization but SAJA is not a charitable organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
SAJA supports the programs and activities of an affiliated organization called “SAJA Group, Inc.” This organization, SAJA Group, Inc., is a charitable organization. Most donations to SAJA Group, Inc. are tax-deductible as charitable donations to the extent allowed by and in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. Please consult your tax advisor on how much, if any, of your donations to SAJA Group, Inc. are tax-deductible. If you have any questions, please contact John Laxmi, treasurer of SAJA at johnlaxmisaja@gmail.com
Are all SAJA members eligible to vote in annual board member elections?
No. SAJA’s bylaws provide that only Full Members of SAJA are eligible to vote in the annual board member elections. Please see SAJA’s bylaws at www.saja.org/bylaws.html
Are all SAJA members eligible to contest in annual board member elections?
No. SAJA’s bylaws provide that only Full Members of SAJA are eligible to contest in annual board member elections. Please see SAJA’s bylaws at www.saja.org/bylaws.html
Do SAJA members get an Identification Card or a certificate attesting to their membership?
No. SAJA does not issue any member identification card or other certificate attesting to SAJA membership.
I am not satisfied with SAJA / eRSVP. Who do I complain to?
If you have any complaints or feedback and would like to share with us the reasons for not renewing your membership, we welcome and value your input. Please send a brief note and we will make sure that we follow up on your comments and suggestions. Please be clear and detailed in your comments. Please include the date and text of any previous correspondence you had with SAJA or eRSVP. We take criticism seriously and constructively. We will do everything possible to make your experience with SAJA pleasant and productive.
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