The Illinois Society of Association Executives will become an independent chapter of the Chicago-based Association Forum under an agreement recently announced by the two organizations.

In a video call with ISAE members, Executive Committee President Kristen Butcher said some details of the agreement have yet to be ironed out, but the Illinois society will retain its own board of directors while Association Forum will manage the group's financial functions. ISAE dues will remain the same until 2022, when they will change to match Association Forum's dues structure.

ISAE members will have access to the entire digital suite of Association Forum products and services, including complimentary registration to all webinars and member rates on recorded webinars and signature programs, such as Holiday Showcase.

The ISAE Executive Committee will review the agreement at the end of 2021 to determine whether any "adjustments" need to be made, Butcher said.

Bryan Soady, president-elect of the ISAE Executive Committee, acknowledged the political and economic challenges created by the pandemic helped drive the decision.

"I think it is fair for us to say 2020 was a rough one, but from a state government, state budget, etc. (perspective), 2021 is going to be potentially even a bigger challenge, so it is good we get into the fighting shape of our lives here as we move forward," he said in the video call.

All state societies of association executives operate independently of ASAE (American Society of Association Executives), which is based in Washington, D.C.

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