NASBP Exploring Membership Dues Structure Updates

As President of NASBP, my theme for this year is Stability Through Purpose. That theme reflects the belief that long-term stability is achieved through thoughtful planning, responsible leadership, and a willingness to evaluate whether our Association’s structure continues to serve members fairly and effectively.

With that responsibility in mind, the Membership and Finance Committees have established a Dues Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of NASBP’s membership dues structure. The Task Force is evaluating whether our current dues model appropriately reflects how firms participate in NASBP today and whether there are opportunities to create a fairer, more transparent approach for firms of all sizes.

Before discussing the review itself, I want to emphasize one important point: no changes have been finalized, and any approved changes would take effect no sooner than the 2028 membership billing cycle. This initiative remains in the evaluation stage and will include member engagement, Board consideration, and multiple opportunities for feedback before any decisions are made.

To support this effort, NASBP engaged Avenue M Group, an independent association consulting firm with extensive experience helping associations evaluate and modernize membership models. Working alongside the Dues Task Force, Avenue M has reviewed our current structure, analyzed membership data, benchmarked association practices, and helped identify potential approaches for further evaluation.

As our industry has evolved, so have the ways firms and professionals engage with NASBP. The Dues Task Force is evaluating whether transitioning from NASBP’s current office-based membership structure to a more holistic company-based approach for both Producer and Associate members would better reflect how organizations participate in and benefit from the Association. The Task Force is also examining whether membership classifications and dues tiers appropriately account for differences in firm size, organizational structure, and participation across the membership.

At its core, this review is about fairness and stewardship. NASBP’s dues structure should recognize the diversity of our membership while ensuring the Association has the resources necessary to deliver the education, advocacy, leadership development, and networking opportunities that members expect. It should also be easy to understand and administer.

Potential benefits under consideration include:

• Simplified membership administration for firms with multiple offices.
• Greater consistency in how membership is structured across Producer and Associate firms.
• Improved transparency around dues calculations.
• A framework that more accurately reflects organizational size and participation.
• Increased opportunities for employees throughout member firms to engage with NASBP programs, committees, events, and leadership opportunities.

Member input will be a critical part of this process. The Dues Task Force has been charged not only with evaluating potential models, but also with engaging members throughout the discussion. As the review progresses, members will have opportunities to learn more, ask questions, and share their perspectives before any recommendations are presented to the Board.

This effort also reflects an important aspect of Stability Through Purpose. A strong Association depends on an engaged membership. Whether you are part of a large national brokerage, a regional firm, a small independent agency, a surety company, or an industry partner, your perspective and participation strengthen NASBP. As we evaluate potential changes, our goal is to ensure that NASBP remains accessible, relevant, and engaging for surety professionals across the industry.

Because this initiative will have long-term implications for the Association, the Dues Task Force will continue its work thoughtfully and deliberately before making recommendations to the Membership and Finance Committees, the Executive Committee, and ultimately the NASBP Board of Directors.

Our objective is simple: to develop a membership dues structure that is fair, transparent, easy to understand, easy to administer, and positioned to support NASBP’s mission and membership for years to come.

Thank you for your continued membership, engagement, and commitment to NASBP. I encourage you to stay involved, share your perspectives, and participate in the discussion as we work together to ensure a strong and stable future for our Association and the surety industry, we serve.

Monica Donatelli is the NASBP President and National Surety Practice Development Leader at EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants. She can be reached at Monica.Donatelli@epicbrokers.com or 913.217.0894.