Charter Members - $30K Annually

The KINBER by-laws identified eleven charter members for KINBER.  Charter members are founding members of the organization and have permanent seats on the KINBER Board.  All charter members have access to purchase PennREN services at the member discount rate, can participate in all committees, vote at the annual member meeting and can access other benefits or services provided by KINBER.  KINBER By-laws have closed the charter membership and at this time there can be no new charter members.

Several charter members represent higher education systems or organizations that represent multiple entities – PASSHE, the Commission of Community Colleges, AICUP and the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania.  Via their charter membership in KINBER, all of their respective members or entities are eligible to purchase services from KINBER at the member discount rate.

Associate Members - $10K Annually

The KINBER by-laws created the ability for KINBER to have associate members.  Associate members have the same privileges as charter members except that they do not have a permanent seat on the Board.  Associate members can serve in one of six rotating Board seats for a maximum period of six years (two three-year terms).  Any 501c3, c6 or governmental entity may join as an Associate member.

In certain cases, associations may join as an Associate member and offer the ability to purchase KINBER services at the member discount rate as a benefit to their members. Examples of this include the PAIU Network and the PA Department of Education, Division of Library Improvement. Associations who wish to provide this service must meet the membership criteria and be approved by the KINBER Board Membership Committee or the Board.   Via associate membership in KINBER, all of their respective members or entities are eligible to purchase services from KINBER at the member discount rate.

Participants

In an effort to serve smaller non-profits who wish to access PennREN, the board created participant level. Participants are non-profit organizations who are permitted to purchase KINBER services without paying membership dues. Because the organizations will not be paying membership dues, they will not enjoy member benefits and privileges, such as membership discount rates and shaping the direction of the organization by serving on the KINBER board, working groups or advisory committees.

For Profit Insurance, Education and Research Members - $50K Annually

For profit organizations with a primary mission of education, economic development, research or health care (including insurance companies) may join KINBER and be able to purchase PennREN services at the member discount rate.  For profit members may serve on advisory councils but may not serve on the Board or have voting rights at the annual member meeting.

Affiliates

In a spirit to enhance collaboration and cooperation, KINBER will encourage other state and national research networks to participate with KINBER as an affiliate.  All affiliates must be a 501c3, c6 or governmental agency.  Affiliates may participate in KINBER advisory councils and working groups but will have no access to the member discount for KINBER services or member voting or Board seats.  There would be no charge for affiliates to join KINBER, provided there is a reciprocal free membership for KINBER to participate in that organization.

Corporate Sponsors - (to request information This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Any entity may join as a corporate sponsor.  As a corporate sponsor the entity may serve on KINBER Advisory councils, attend annual meetings and have their logo included on the KINBER web site as a corporate sponsor.  Corporate sponsors will not have membership rights nor voting rights and may not serve on the Board.