With the start of the New Year we are beginning a membership drive to bring more schools into the AAIEP fold.  Our goal is to sign on 25 new members this calendar year, and an additional 25 next year.

The launch of our new and improved website is just one of a number of initiatives being undertaken by your Association this year.  Also coming about in 2007 is implementation of our new requirement that all members be accredited in some way, either by ACCET, by CEA, or as part of an institution that is itself regionally accredited.  On the lobbying front, we are working for a requirement that only accredited language schools be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20s.  The AAIEP logo should be recognized as a stamp of quality, among our recruiting partners and prospective students, certainly – but most importantly among the US consular corps and within DHS.

All of these efforts on the part of AAIEP lead to a stronger Association that offers more value to its membership.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

We want each member to provide AAIEP Outreach (outreach@aaiep.org) with the name and contact telephone and/or e-mail address of ONE prospective new member program by no later than the beginning of April.  

Show your support of our initiatives to improve your recruiting abilities and enhance your image abroad.  Help bring those intensive English programs in your area that are not members into the Association.  Multi-site organizations – if all of your programs are not members, take this opportunity to sign them up to maximize your membership benefit.

AAIEP is an easy sell:

• Membership in an internationally recognized organization which promotes English language study in the USA
• Assurance that member programs meet best practices standards
• Professional lobbying for IEP issues on a national level: in Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and the Department of Commerce
• A program description on AAIEP's website, which is in turn linked to the US Consular Affairs and Study USA websites, and appears on countless IEP search engines
• Listing in the AAIEP Member Profiles print directory distributed worldwide to embassies, advising centers and agents
• Information and practice advisories on government regulations and policies affecting IEPs
• Opportunities to take advantage of member discounts from numerous service providers (recruiting fairs, publications, etc.)
• An annual meeting and reception at the national NAFSA: Association of International Educators convention

There is strength in numbers.  More members equates to a more diverse, robust and influential Association - with the resources necessary to further our Mission to promote U.S. intensive English programs abroad.  Thank you in advance for your support of this important project.

Sincerely yours,

Don Back, President
AAIEP - American Association of Intensive English Programs
president@aaiep.org