The ASAE Fellows designation is one of ASAE’s highest honors. It recognizes long-time volunteers and highly engaged members who have made significant contributions to the association community through:

• Exemplary volunteer service and leadership
• Extraordinary accomplishments
• Other major and innovative contributions to ASAE and the profession of association management

The designation is an honorary professional recognition and a call to continued leadership, engagement, and service.

The Fellows designation recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership, foresight, engagement, and vision. It is not a leadership development program.

ASAE Fellows are association professionals recognized for their achievements, innovation, strategic thinking, and contributions to the association community. Fellows are committed to giving back to the profession and inspiring future leaders.

Fellows champion the impact and leadership of associations within the industries, disciplines, and professions they serve. In collaboration with and in support of ASAE, they contribute to conversations and solutions on important issues affecting the association management profession.

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

To be eligible, an individual must:

• Be an ASAE member in good standing.
• Have at least 10 total years of ASAE membership (the years do not have to be consecutive).
• Hold the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential.
• Not currently serve on, or be in the process of applying to, the ASAE Board of Directors.
• Have waited at least five years since serving as ASAE staff, if applicable.
• Have waited at least one year since a previous, unsuccessful application.

Selection is governed by a Selection Committee made up of the current Fellows Chair, the Immediate Past Chair, the Vice Chair, and 8–10 Fellows in good standing.

1. Nomination. Another ASAE member submits a nomination, or an eligible individual self-nominates.
2. Application. Nominees who choose to apply complete a Fellows application that includes:
   • A comprehensive listing of ASAE volunteer activities and leadership commitments
   • Volunteer leadership and engagement with other organizations, as appropriate
   • A curriculum vitae
   • Responses to several essay questions
3. Review. The Selection Committee reviews all completed applications.
4. Interview. Selected candidates are invited to interview with two to three committee members.

Because Fellows is an ASAE designation, ASAE service and engagement carry particular weight. Engagement with other organizations can show an applicant’s broader volunteer progression and leadership experience.

Each Fellows class is unique; there is no predetermined minimum or maximum class size.

Once selected, Fellows are expected to keep contributing to ASAE and the association community. Fellows:

• Serve as authors, speakers, mentors, volunteer leaders, advocates, and contributors to ASAE, the ASAE Research Foundation, and the profession
• Take part in strategic conversations that may inform sessions at ASAE programs and articles in ASAE publications
• Attend an annual retreat designed to strengthen professional relationships and explore key issues affecting the association community

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

Post-nominal letters appear after a person’s name to indicate a professional designation, credential, office, or honor conferred by an organization based on established criteria.

Note: A Fellow who transitions to Retired Friend of ASAE becomes a Fellow Emeritus and is no longer eligible to use the FASAE post-nominal.

Many professional associations use post-nominals to recognize individuals who have earned Fellow status. FASAE offers a simple, recognizable way to identify Fellow status on resumes, name badges, committee rosters, conference programs, and in speaker introductions.

It also highlights the contributions of ASAE Fellows and reinforces the ongoing commitment to leadership, engagement, and service that comes with the designation.

The two designations serve different purposes:

The CAE credential is also an eligibility requirement for the ASAE Fellows designation.

Yes. The requirement is 10 total years of ASAE membership, and those years do not have to be consecutive.

You must also be a current ASAE member in good standing and meet all other eligibility requirements, including holding the CAE credential.

It depends on your overall record. Applicants should demonstrate meaningful and sustained engagement with ASAE, including progression in volunteer service and leadership.

Examples include serving on an ASAE, ASAE Research Foundation, or ASAE Business Services, Inc. (ABSI) committee, council, workgroup, board, or advisory body. Graduated service might look like moving from task force member to standing committee member, and eventually to committee chair or another leadership role.

Give a comprehensive picture of your ASAE engagement, including presentations, articles, contributions, volunteer service, and volunteer leadership appointments. The Selection Committee considers the overall depth, breadth, and progression of your involvement.

No. Holding the CAE does not automatically result in selection as an ASAE Fellow.

The CAE is an eligibility requirement, but selection is based on the full Fellows application and the criteria set by the Selection Committee. See how CAE and FASAE are related.

• Current staff: Not eligible to apply.
• Former staff: Eligible once at least five years have passed since leaving ASAE.

No. Individuals currently serving on an official ASAE, ASAE Research Foundation, or ABSI Board are not eligible to apply.

Once your board term ends, you may apply and will be considered under the same criteria as other applicants.

No. Individuals applying to serve on an official ASAE, ASAE Research Foundation, or ABSI Board are not eligible to apply for the Fellows designation during that application period.

No. Applicants who are not selected must wait at least one year before reapplying.

In the meantime, consider the feedback provided on your application and work to demonstrate growth in the areas the Selection Committee identified. You may request additional discussion about your feedback.

No. Participation in the Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) does not automatically qualify an individual for the Fellows designation.

DELP is one part of an individual’s professional and volunteer experience and is considered alongside the full range of qualifications and engagement. DELP Scholars and alumni are encouraged to highlight:

• Relevant leadership experiences
• Volunteer service
• Professional accomplishments
• Contributions to ASAE and the broader association community
• Their commitment to creating inclusive environments