The Association is still "free" to join. The only difference is now we are going to have a "Premium Membership". What that means is for "Premium Members you will receive:

The "fees" collected for the Premium Membership will be used for maintaining the site, printing what you receive, advertising to consumers, and also to start a yearly scholarship fund for those students who will be pursuing a career in the Information Technology field. With the scholarship fund you can use the materials in your community schools.