Associate Membership
Associate members are GAGE members who are not currently employees of Georgetown University. GAGE’s organizing and collective bargaining impacts the entire graduate experience, so we value the voice, perspective, and involvement of all Georgetown graduate students regardless of employment status. Throughout the years, the solidarity and participation of Associate members has been integral to GAGE’s success and building collective power on campus.
“GAGE has been a tool of empowerment for me. Strength in numbers is truly a powerful force!” - Associate member, Biology PhD
“I joined GAGE for solidarity. A union makes us stronger together.” - Associate member, Public Policy Masters
Associate members need to set up their dues payment online. Associate membership dues are $12.24 per month. Our secure payment portal allows Associate members to set up recurring monthly payments and indicate the end date, or make a one time payment. Only set up Associate dues for time periods when you will not be employed by Georgetown University. You also have the option to contribute specifically to the Mutual Aid Fund in addition to membership dues. An MAF contribution does not substitute the required dues.
How do you know if you are an associate member?
You are an Associate member if you are a currently enrolled graduate student and a GAGE member who is not receiving a paycheck from Georgetown University. The other category of membership is Full member; they do receive a paycheck from Georgetown and their dues are automatically deducted from that paycheck. GAGE members commonly switch between Full Membership and Associate Membership because it is determined by your employment status at Georgetown University.
Some common examples of Associate members include PhD students in their non-service year, PhD students receiving a fellowship stipend from a government agency, and Masters students whose TA or RA positions finish before they graduate.
If you are a PhD assistant employed for 9-months, you do not need to set up dues for the summer immediately following your appointment. Your dues payment through automatic paycheck deductions during the fall and spring cover your summer membership.
If you have graduated, you are no longer a GAGE member because only currently enrolled graduate students are eligible to be GAGE members. We wish you the best with your next step and hope you keep in touch with us!
Please reach out to a GAGE Executive Council officer to discuss any concerns or specific circumstances. There is never a need to resign or cancel GAGE membership over concerns about Associate dues payments.
What ways can associate members get involved in GAGE?
The rights and privileges of membership accrue equally to both Full and Associate Members. As long as you are current on your dues, you have the opportunity to participate in union activities however you like - whether its providing occasional feedback on your graduate experience, attending membership meetings, joining a committee, being a Department Organizer, or serving on Executive Council.
Although some terms of GAGE's contract are specifically for graduate students currently employed by Georgetown (i.e., the Emergency Assistance Fund), GAGE has set up several resources, including the Mutual Aid Fund, to support Associate members.
Who sets the dues rate and what are dues used for?
Dues rates are set in the GAGE bylaws and can be adjusted by GAGE members through a democratic process. A small portion of Associate membership dues is used to make monthly per capita payments to the American Federation of Teachers. The majority of your dues support GAGE's work directly in accordance with GAGE’s budget, which all members have the opportunity to review and vote to approve each September.
Associate dues contributions help GAGE go beyond the minimum union functions of contract administration and enforcement, so we have a strong and thriving union that builds community and works for the common good. The Mutual Aid Fund is one example of an initiative that GAGE is able to coordinate because of Associate dues support.
Are dues tax deductible?
No.