Memberships

CASC members are a diverse group of organizations and individuals who support informal science, technology and nature education. We are linked by creative programming and exhibits that inspire people to learn, create and innovate. Science centres and similar organizations reach eight million Canadians annually with innovative learning opportunities. These organizations are a fundamental part of Canada's culture of innovation.

CRITERIA

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS

Science Centre/Museum Members

Science Centre/Museum members, located in Canada and open to the public on a regular schedule, identify primarily as:

• a science or technology centre or museum, a planetarium, aquarium, zoo, insectarium, makerspace, or a similar organization devoted, at least in part, to the public understanding and appreciation of science and technology and
• are incorporated as a non-profit or for profit organization, or similar institution administered by colleges/universities, federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, or local government agencies.

Affiliate Members

Affiliate Members shall be:

• Non-profit or for profit organizations—or federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, or local government agencies—that support the purpose of the CASC and share its focus on the public understanding and appreciation of science and technology, but that are not and do not operate science centers or museums.
• Independent contractors and consultants that offer products or services to the science-center community—and that direct their own work, maintain their own office or place of work, control the means of performing their services including the sequence and hours of work, do not own a staffed commercial entity or have employees, supply equipment and materials to do their work, and work on behalf of several science centers, museums, or science education organizations at the same time—shall be eligible to join the CASC as Affiliate Members.
• Emerging science centres/museums (located in Canada) that are under development and not yet open to the public—and educational non-profit or for-profit organizations, universities, and federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, or local government agencies that are managing the development of an emerging science center or museum that is under development and not yet open to the public—also shall be eligible to join the CASC as Affiliate Members.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

Individual Members shall be individuals, such as students, retirees, or professionals, who support the purpose of the CASC and share its focus on the public understanding and appreciation of science and technology. They may or may not be employees of a Science Centre/Museum Member or Affiliate Member organization. Individual Members include Honorary Members​ designated through the CASCADE award process. An Honorary Patron is a lifetime status.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Advocacy

• Helping to drive policy change to recognize and value the informal science learning and public engagement sector.
• Representation at the federal level on issues of support, science awareness and literacy.

Building Capacity (Organizational Members only)

• Access to programming and funding opportunities.
• Opportunity to host the CASC Annual Conference​.
• CASCADE Awards​ Nomination Eligibility (Science Centre/Museum Members only).

Business Benefits

ADP for HR services offers a full range of flexible HR and payroll options with integrated payroll, time and attendance software and specific solutions for small and large businesses. CASC members can exclusively receive 25% off payroll processing, including base fees, per employee fees, and the general ledger interface. Find out more with this partner information sheet​.

Castle Builder Financial provides credit card processing services that can reduce your costs by as much as 50%, depending on your current systems. For more information check out their English rate sheet​ and French rate sheet​.

We encourage members to contact these companies to learn more and determine if these programs are suitable for their organization. If you have any questions or concerns or need help navigating this information, please contact Stephanie at CASC. Your participation in these new benefit programs also benefits CASC. We will receive a 10% referral fee from these program providers at no additional cost to members.

Marketing & Publications (Organizational Members only)

• Postings in our Job Bank​.
• Share news in our Monthly E-blast Newsletter​ and Recent News page​ (limited to public offerings and organizational announcements).
• Shared content on social media.
• Hotlinks from the CASC website

Networking & Professional Development

• Exclusive CASC member virtual webinars, forums, and social events.
• Access to Communities of Practice (CoP).
• Networking events, including our Annual Conference​ and Canadian Get-together at ASTC.
• Discounts on CASC events.
• Opportunities to sit on a CASC Committee and Advisory Boards.
• Opportunities to sit on the CASC Board of Directors​.
• Access to a detailed members' directory.
• Access to CASC Research Publications.

Reciprocal Agreement (Science Centre/Museum members only)

• Annual participation in our Reciprocal Agreement​ (optional).

VOTING

Each Member is entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at all meetings of members and each Organizational Member (Science Centre/Museum, Affiliate) shall be entitled to one (1) vote at such meetings.

TERM

The term of membership of a Science Centre/Museum Member shall be annual (January 1 to December 31), subject to renewal in accordance with the CASC membership policy.