Psychiatrists New to Vermont Eligible for Dues Waiver

You know the adage—“You can’t get something for nothing,” but the Vermont Psychiatric Association disagrees.

In a move to bolster its membership, the Vermont Psychiatric Association (VPA) recently voted to join the ranks of district branches that waive dues for all new members during their first year of practice in the state.

The waiver will apply both to residents who are finishing training and to psychiatrists who relocate to Vermont.

Psychiatrists who have been practicing in Vermont for more than one year will not be eligible for the waiver and will be expected to pay the regular dues rate if they join the district branch.

In addition to the dues waiver, the VPA will provide “welcome kits” to these new members, including the publication Practice Management for Early Career Psychiatrists, which was developed by APA’s Office of Healthcare Systems and Financing, to graduating residents from the University of Vermont and Dartmouth training programs. The kits will also include a schedule of APA meetings held throughout the year.

Even though the waivers and discounts may reduce its income from member dues, the VPA does not expect a decrease in overall revenue, according to VPA President Gail Barton, M.D. The small, 130-member district branch expects that the new outreach initiatives will generate new memberships and additional income in the future.

This is the latest step in an ongoing campaign at the VPA to maximize membership and increase participation in district branch activities. At the beginning of this year, the VPA reduced all district branch dues by 25 percent (Psychiatric News, March 2) and exempted retired members from annual dues payments. ▪