Why does ASAE have a Fellows designation?  

ASAE values long-time volunteers and highly engaged members for their contributions to our shared profession. The ASAE Fellows designation is among ASAE’s highest honors, recognizing individuals who have made a significant impact on the association community through exemplary volunteer service and leadership, extraordinary accomplishments, or other major and innovative contributions to ASAE and the profession of association management. The ASAE Fellows designation is an honorary recognition and a call to continued leadership and service.  

What is the purpose of the ASAE Fellows?  

The ASAE Fellows distinction is a professional recognition for individuals who have demonstrated leadership, foresight, engagement, and vision. It is not a leadership development program.  

ASAE Fellows are a group of association professionals that have been recognized for their achievements, innovation and strategic thinking. Additionally, they have been recognized for their success in actively making a difference in the association community. Their purpose is to give back to the association community while inspiring and developing extraordinary future leaders.  

They champion associations’ impact and leadership on industries, disciplines, and the professions they serve. In collaboration with and in support of ASAE, they help to create solutions to the most critical issues affecting the association management profession.     

As leaders in the association community, Fellows strongly embrace and model ASAE’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. ASAE's Diversity + Inclusion Statement   

How are Fellows selected?  

There are several steps in the Fellows selection process, which is governed by a Selection Committee composed of the current Fellows Chair, the Immediate-past Chair as well as 8-10 Fellows in good standing. Only members of ASAE that are in good standing and have been members for five consecutive years (no lapses) are eligible to be nominated. Please note individuals who applied and are not selected during the application process must take a minimum one-year break before reapplying.  

Nominations (comprised of a name and contact information) may be submitted by another ASAE member or nominees may self-nominate. Once nominated, nominees choosing to apply must fill out a Fellows application, which includes submission of a listing of your activities and leadership commitments as a volunteer to ASAE. Leadership activities in other organizations can be listed to show your volunteer progression but since this is an ASAE designation ASAE service is most highly recognized. You must also submit a curriculum vitae and answer several essay questions.   

The Committee reviews all applications and invites selected candidates to interview with two to three selection committee members. Each class of Fellows is unique and there is no minimum or maximum class size.  

What do the Fellows do?  

Once selected, Fellows are expected to continue to be high-level contributors to ASAE. Individually, Fellows serve as authors, speakers, mentors, volunteer leaders, political and advocacy supporters, and APAC and Foundation contributors and advocates on behalf of the association management profession. Fellows attend an annual retreat designed to strengthen business relationships and address key issues in the association industry. They participate in strategic conversations, which often result in sessions at other ASAE programs and articles in ASAE publications.  

What does FASAE mean?  

FASAE is a post-nominal designation that may be used by ASAE Fellows who are ASAE members in good standing to represent their status as a Fellow of ASAE.  

Post nominal initials or post nominal titles are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that the individual holds a position, educational degree, accreditation, office, or honor. They must be conferred by an organization based on a key set of criteria.  

If a Fellow’s membership status transitions to Retired Friend of ASAE, he or she also transitions to the title of Fellow Emeritus and is not eligible to use the FASAE designation.  

Why was the FASAE post-nominal introduced?  

Many associations use post-nominals to recognize Fellows of their organization. The letters FASAE are a simple, easily recognizable way to reinforce Fellow status on professional resumes, nametags, committee rosters, and conference programs as well as in speaker introductions. Such increased visibility may serve to inspire more individuals to pursue Fellows status, contributing to a culture of engagement, innovation and leadership throughout the ASAE community. The designation also reinforces to current Fellows the call to service they have accepted.  

How are CAE and FASAE related?  

The two serve different purposes. The Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is ASAE’s earned professional certification. FASAE is an honorific designation that may be used by ASAE Fellows in good standing to represent their status as a Fellow of ASAE. Professional certifications, including the CAE, are a key consideration in the Fellows selection process, and the vast majority of CAE-eligible Fellows have earned the CAE.  

 

ASAE FELLOWS APPLICATION AND SELECTION 

Am I eligible if my ASAE membership lapsed but my cumulative years of ASAE membership are five years?  

The membership requirement to apply for ASAE Fellows is you must be a member for the past five consecutive years. Please revisit the eligibility guidelines once you have met this requirement.  

My application reflects that I have given a presentation at an ASAE signature conference and volunteered to review ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition presentation submissions. Will this meet the ASAE service requirement?  

ASAE Fellows eligibility requires continuous and graduated service to the association. Specific examples include serving on an ASAE, ASAE Research Foundation or ASAE Business Services, Inc. (ABSI) committee, council, workgroup, Board of Directors, or advisory body. Graduated service might look like serving as a task force member, then standing committee member, then committee chair, for example. We recommend that the application specify comprehensive ASAE activities such as presentations, articles and contributions, volunteer service, and volunteer leadership appointments.  

As a CAE, am I automatically made an ASAE Fellow? Is the credential considered as a factor in my application?  

ASAE's CAE credential denotes the understanding and use of the association management body of knowledge. Combined with continued and graduated leadership and contributions the CAE is a critical consideration in being eligible to apply to become an ASAE Fellow. That said, the CAE is not a requirement but is encouraged.  

I am a current and/or former ASAE Staffer. Am I eligible to apply for Fellowship?  

ASAE Staff cannot apply for Fellowship and applicants that are former staff must wait at least five (5) years before applying. 

While serving on the ASAE Board, the ASAE Research Foundation Board, or the Board of ASAE Business Services, Inc. (ABSI), am I eligible to apply to become an ASAE Fellow?  

Current members of any official Board entity are not eligible to apply to become an ASAE Fellow. That said, once the Board term is over, an application can be submitted for consideration and will be considered against the same criteria against which all other applications are considered.  

I am applying to serve on the ASAE Board, the ASAE Research Foundation Board, or the Board of ASAE Business Services, Inc. (ABSI), am I eligible to apply to become an ASAE Fellow?  

No, ASAE Fellows applicants cannot apply while serving or applying to serve on the ASAE Board. 

Am I eligible to reapply the following year if my Fellows application is not accepted?  

No, individuals who applied and are not selected during the application process must take a minimum one-year break before reapplying. During this time, we encourage you to consider the feedback given regarding your original application and clearly show growth in the areas that were identified. Feedback will be given to applicants and requests for further discussion considered if desired.   

I am a DELP scholar and support the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Will that ensure my acceptance as an ASAE Fellow?  

Philosophy, beliefs, and practices related to DEI are critical to becoming an ASAE Fellow. While being a DELP Scholar is not an automatic qualifier to become an ASAE Fellow, we encourage all applicants to clearly articulate your philosophy, beliefs, and practices related to DEI in your organization and the association community in your application materials (as well as the activities and accomplishments the applicants has achieved since their participation in the program.) Diversity of engagement with ASAE is seen as very valuable.  

DELP is a valuable program for individuals from under-represented identity groups to advance into the ranks of leadership and experience in the association management profession. It is in an accelerated leadership program of education, mentoring, and volunteer service in the association community. It is highly valuable for advancing careers and expanding leadership potential and moving toward CAE certification.