About the American Institute of Floral Designers

About Us > SAIFD Membership

POLICIES & PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT & CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP

Chapter Membership

1. The National Student Membership Committee shall consist of at least one representative from each region and a member of the National Board of Directors. The duties of the committee shall be:
A. Consult with SAIFD advisors.
B. Actively work to establish new SAIFD chapters.
C. Assist in design contest, chapter installations and student activities at the National Symposium.
D. Work with the chapters in a committee members' respective region.
E. Report to student membership chair who in turn will report to the National Board.

2. An AIFD Student Chapter may be established at recognized institutions of higher learning with a two-year associate degree (or higher) in horticulture, floriculture, agriculture or fine arts, and where floral design is taught. A comparable degree will be required in other degree systems.

3. Student Chapters are officially designated (Chapter Name) Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers or (Chapter Name) Student Chapter of SAIFD.

4. Each Chapter will customize their constitution and by-laws from a template provided by the National Student Membership Chair. Only minor changes should be necessary in this "standardized" document that would bring each local Chapters into compliance with rules and regulations set forth by their school's student code of conduct. A copy of the constitution and by-laws should be sent to the National Student Membership Chair for permanent files. Changes in the constitution and/or by-laws must be submitted to the National Student Membership Chair at the time they are activated.

5. Student Chapters may be organized with a minimum of five (5) student members.

6. Student Chapters must send at least one student representative to the AIFD National Symposium each year to remain active and in good standing.

7. A faculty member of the SAIFD college or university who is an active member of AIFD in good standing, or a local member of AIFD in good standing in combination with the college's instructor, shall be the advisor (s) for the SAIFD chapter

8. Each Student Chapter will be required to file an annual report with the AIFD National Student Committee Chair in order to remain in good standing as an active Chapter. The annual report will include a list of student chapter members, the names and addresses of chapter officers and advisor(s) and a summary of major activities undertaken by the Chapter during the past year. It must be signed by the Chapter advisor and president or secretary.

9. Each Chapter of SAIFD is required to host at least one Artist In Residence (AIR) program every academic year to remain active and in good standing. After completion of the AIR program and the AIR grant application, each chapter may receive up to $500.00 to cover AIR program expenses. There will only be one AIR grant per year to each SAIFD chapter.

10. The National Student Membership Chair shall recommend to the National AIFD Board of Directors inactive status to a chapter that does not comply with #'s 6, 8 or 9 above.

11. There shall be a student membership report given as part of the AIFD Annual Report.

12. Clan plaids and banners, which represent SAIFD Chapters, will be maintained and/or stored at each SAIFD Chapter's school.

Student Membership

13. Student membership applications must be completed and signed by both the applicant and the student advisor before being submitted to the National Student Membership Chair for approval. National student dues of $15.00 per year must be remitted with this application. Student participation is entirely voluntary.

14. The institution in which a student is enrolled must have a recognized student chapter. The student must be enrolled in a degree program containing floral design and have earned at least 15 semester credits or 22 quarter units of credit in college or university subjects.

15. Students must have and maintain a "C" of 2.0 grade point average in schools grading on a 4 point system. A comparable G.P.A. will be expected in other grading systems.

16. If the qualifications of #'s 13-15 above are not met, students may be considered "associate" members of the local Chapter. However, associate members will not have any of the benefits itemized in #22 below.

17. All student members must abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the Code of Ethics and Professional Practices of the American Institute of Floral Designers.

18. The student member will be presented with a certificate of active membership upon payment of national dues and approved by the National Student Membership Chair.

19. A confidential file will be kept by the National Student Membership Chair containing student applications. This file may be used by the National AIFD Membership Committee when students apply for candidate status to AIFD.

20. Student membership is not transferable to any other AIFD membership category. However, within one year of their graduation, students wishing to pursue accreditation in AIFD may apply for candidate status at 1/2 the published rate. This rate will apply only for the first year of their candidate status.

21. SAIFD pins will be provided to chapters for distribution to inductee (first year) students who have paid their national dues. Additional pins may be purchased to replace lost or damaged pins and for students who do not wish to pay national dues. Any excess funds realized through the sale of SAIFD pins shall be contributed to the Shakelford Memorial AIFD Scholarship Fund.

22. Benefits of active SAIFD National Student Membership:

A. Receive SAIFD Pin (one time only) - see #21.
B. Receive appropriate AIFD mailings, including Focal Points and National Symposium information (distributed via chapter advisors).
C. Eligibility for student scholarships through the AIFD Foundation (forms sent to advisors).
D. Eligibility for student sponsorships for National Symposium - students accepting sponsorships are required to participate in the student design competition and a reasonable student work schedule administered by the National Student Membership Chair. These students are also required to attend all symposium programs except when scheduled for their required work.
E. Students may attend National Symposium at a reduced "Student Rate", but must participate in a reasonable work schedule as noted in "D" above.
F. Students will be eligible to attend National Symposium at "Student Rate" for the one symposium following their graduation.
G. Receive a "name only" listing in the AIFD Directory under SAIFD Chapter Names.
H. Receive Certificate of Membership - see #18.
I. Have access to classified ads in Focal Points - via chapter advisor.
J. Access to regional and local events by assisting AIFD designers or program chairs with set-up, event assistance, or as designer assistants. A reduced or no cost for the event should be given to students for this assistance.
K. Within one year of their graduation, students wishing to pursue accredidation in AIFD may apply for candidate status at ½ the published rate. This rate will apply only for the first year of their candidate status - see #20.

23. Student Chapter Advisors will be entitled to register for the National Symposium at the "member" price level.

24. There shall be a national student design contest held each year as part of the National Symposium. The student Membership Committee shall advise and assist the Student Competition Committee with this task.

Thank you to our AIFD Symposium Partners

Platinum Rose Partners

Gold Rose Partners

Silver Rose Partners

Bronze Rose Partner