Associate members attend board meetings, participate on committees, and take advantage of all the services and programs arranged by the organization though they have no voting privileges. Thirty-three members are full members and seventeen are associate members. The corporate office, located in River Forest, is managed by an executive director. The organization supports itself in three ways. Membership dues, surcharge fees on group purchases, and investment income provide operational budget income.
Dues are the same for both full and associate members.
A flat rate surcharge is placed on all group purchases coordinated by the corporate office. Only those members who participate in given projects pay a surcharge. Investments provide a small amount of operating revenue. To facilitate the exchange of resources and information. To strengthen the skills and knowledge of members' institutions personnel through staff development activities.