Why should I join MENC as a Collegiate member?
Nearly all professions have professional organizations that provide opportunities for members to share ideas. MENC is the professional organization for music educators. As a Collegiate member of MENC, you will have many opportunities to network with full-time music educators, attend workshops and clinics, and participate in activities that will prepare you for your future career. There are many resources available to Collegiate members that provide information and materials that can be used for school assignments and research throughout your education. Collegiate members find that the networking opportunities available to them as MENC members have played a significant role in getting job interviews, landing jobs, and succeeding in their careers as music educators after graduation. MENC Collegiate membership provides the opportunity for you to get a head start in your profession.
How can our chapter get in touch with other chapters within our state and/or nationally?
The easiest way to communicate with other chapters is through the Internet. Most universities and colleges have access to the Internet and many chapters have Web pages that describe their chapter activities and background. E-mailing other chapters is the easiest and most cost effective method of communicating today. There are also lists available from the national office that will provide you with each active chapter's mailing address. Attending conferences and meetings is also a highly recommended means of getting to know other Collegiate members and chapters. And remember to use the MENC Web site's Future Teachers forum as a means of getting involved in discussions with other Collegiate members on issues of importance to future music educators.
How do I get a copy of NewsLink?
The only publication exclusively for MENC Collegiate members, NewsLink is available on MENC's Future Teachers Network. Monthly notifications are sent to all Collegiate members via e-mail, so make sure MENC has your current e-mail address.
Can I get a copy of the Collegiate Chapter Handbook?
Each Collegiate chapter is provided with three copies of the handbook. The head of the school of music or music department, the chapter advisor, and the chapter president should all have a copy of the handbook. The handbook contains the national guidelines for running a chapter. If you would like a copy, you may click here to open a PDF file of the entire handbook (36 pages).
What types of leadership opportunities are there for me as a Collegiate member?
There are leadership opportunities for Collegiate members at the chapter, state, and division levels of MENC. Collegiate chapters usually have some elected officer positions that need to be filled yearly. See your chapter's constitution and bylaws or the MENC Collegiate Chapter Handbook for more information on positions that may be available. Most state music educators associations have Collegiate officers. These officers are usually elected at the state conference each year and represent the Collegiate membership at the state level. The six MENC divisions (Eastern, North Central, Northwest, Southern, Southwestern, and Western) each have an MENC Division Student Representative appointed to present a report to the National Collegiate Advisory Council at the MENC National Conference every other year. Contact your state Collegiate chairperson if you are interested in becoming a division representative.
What can we do to increase our chapter's membership?
Host events or lectures related to music education. Contact anyone in your school's music department who may have an interest in receiving the benefits and services of Collegiate membership. Many times, students in general education classes will be teaching music or using music to teach when they find a teaching position after graduation. These students are likely candidates for MENC Collegiate membership even though you may not often see them around the school of music or music department. Refer to the 50 Great Recruiting Ideas for ways to increase your chapter membership.
Can being a member of MENC help me find a job when I graduate?
Yes, being an MENC member can open up many doors for the job seeker. Being part of your professional organization reflects well on you, and is a highlight on your resume. Members of MENC have many opportunities for networking extensively through contacts with others in the music education field. In addition to these benefits, MENC hosts an online Job Center where you can browse current job openings and post your background information for employers to review. MENC also sponsors a career center at the national and division biennial conferences that attracts many music supervisors and school district officials who are looking for music educators to fill teaching positions in their regions.
What is the deadline for Collegiate membership applications?
Students may apply for MENC Collegiate membership through May 31, but are encouraged to activate their MENC membership in July or August of the current school year to receive full benefits. Students will receive August, September, and October MENC periodicals from their chapter advisor, but student members will receive no other MENC periodicals until approximately 30 days after their application is processed by MENC. Back issues of MENC periodicals will not be sent unless requested and paid for. Collegiate member benefits end June 30th.
When will I receive my MENC journals?
The August and September issues of the MENC periodicals will be sent to the chapter advisor for distribution to prospective student members, based on the chapter's member count the previous year.
After the September issue, which is mailed in mid-August, student members will not receive MENC periodicals until approximately 30 days after their application has been processed. Application by regular mail may encounter significant delays compared to online registration due to manual processing.
Missed issues due to inactive membership will not be sent. Back issues may be purchased by contacting MENC Member Services at 800-828-0229.