National Press Club

Dues Assistance Program

Struggling to pay your dues? NPC might be able to help


No journalist needs to be reminded that the American economy continues to struggle through the most severe and long-lasting downturn since the Great Depression. For news people, the situation has been even more dire because of the technological revolution that has swept the industry since the late 1990s. U.S. Department of Labor statistics show journalism to have one of the highest unemployment rates for any white collar profession. Other allied communications fields like public relations and advertising have also been hit by significant job losses and financial contractions.

Given all this turmoil, disruption and uncertainty, some of our fellow National Press Club members are finding it difficult to continue paying their dues (not to mention their other obligations). Staying involved in the Club, however, is more critical for them now than ever. Losing their membership in the NPC -- and with it the ability to network with peers and participate in Club professional and training programs -- could make a difficult situation even worse, even closing the door on new job opportunities.

That's why the Board of Governors has approved a new pilot program, originally proposed by the Fellowship Committee, to pay the dues for up to six months, and in some cases 12, of eligible Club members who can demonstrate they have lost their employment or are facing financial problems that otherwise will force them to resign.

The money to pay the dues comes from the Fellowship Committee's Welfare Fund, which is solely supplied by voluntary contributions and bequests from Club members eager to help fellow members in need. The Welfare Fund, first created during the 1930s, receives no support from regular Club revenues and is not part of the Club's budgeting process.

Here's how the Dues Assistance Program, or DAP, will work:


  • Members in any Club category -- such as Journalist or Communicator -- can apply to receive help from the DAP.

  • To be eligible, a DAP applicant must have been a Club member for a minimum of two years and not be in arrears in paying his or her dues or monthly accounts.

  • Interested members must fill out a relatively simple application form, describing the nature of their financial problem and vouching that, if no assistance is available, they will be forced to resign from the Club.

  • Members who currently are receiving dues assistance through any other program are not automatically eligible for the DAP. They must apply for it like any other member.

  • As with all membership matters, DAP applications will be considered for approval by the Membership Committee and the Board of Governors.

  • The identities of DAP applicants and those who become DAP beneficiaries will be kept confidential.

A successful applicant will have his or her dues paid for six months or until the applicant's financial situation changes (such as through getting a new job), whichever comes first. Beneficiaries who have received the full six months of dues assistance will be eligible to re-apply for a second six-month extension if they still are facing unemployment or unresolved financial problems. No assistance will be provided, however, beyond 12 months. DAP is not a loan program and recipients of its help will not be required to repay the Welfare Fund, although doing so voluntarily is certainly encouraged once a beneficiary's financial situation improves.

Since DAP is a pilot program, its maximum outlay of funds has been capped at $20,000 for the one-year trial period, which will run from Sept. 1, 2012 to Aug. 31, 2013. At the close of that first year, the Board of Governors and the Fellowship Committee will review the results and determine whether DAP will continue with additional money from the Welfare Fund. The decision on whether to retain DAP will depend on the program's first-year results, including the number of applicants helped and our success in convincing Club members to voluntarily contribute to the Welfare Fund in order to replenish its resources and keep DAP working.

Application forms for interested members will be available beginning Sept. 4 from Membership Director Melinda Cooke in the Club's 13th floor staff offices.