Hi mtbkm--I have been a member since 1994. I have met so many great friends and have expanded my knowledge base and networking opportunities.
I went to the National convention for the first time last year--it was in Nashville--it was great (not able due to scheduling problems to go this year).
There are several monetary benefits of membership, such as being able to purchase the AHDI Book of Style for $20 less as a member than as a nonmember, plus there are webinars, a discount for Stedman's books, etc. Go to ahdionline.org to see all the benefits.
I am not terribly involved on a national level but I do love getting together locally for our meetings and I always learn something. Great for those of us who work at home to keep up with the ever-changing world of transcription.
I think it's especially great for newbies for networking--that's how I got most of my clients when I was an independent contractor--I subcontracted work from them and they would in turn refer me to clients if they were unable to take them on as they were familiar with the caliber of my work and my work ethic.
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kkb, who considers herself a newbie after 18 years and still remembers what it was like to be a newbie!