Benefits

The DVAA is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that has a long and storied history of service to both its members and the public at large. Our mission, as set out in the first article of our bylaws, is (a) to aid and encourage amateur astronomers in observation and scientific research projects, (b) to encourage cooperation and the exchange of ideas among amateur astronomers and (c) to interest and educate the general public in the science of astronomy. To serve those ends club membership confers a number of unique benefits:

• Ability to attend members-only clinics, workshops and other events
• Ability to rent a Club-owned telescope.
• Access to private dark-sky events and locations plus a regular cadence of local observing.
• Ability to attend special member-only trips and events, such as our recent attendance at Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk.
• Reciprocal membership in the Astronomical League, including a quarterly subscription to The Reflector.
• Discounted subscriptions to Sky & Telescope and Astronomy Magazines
• Access to a the members-only areas of our member-focused website.
• Voting privileges in our annual DVAA elections. 
• Membership in a well-trafficked DVAA-oriented listserv (https://groups.io/g/DVAA/join)

The most important benefit we offer is the chance to regularly interact with a great group of astronomically minded enthusiasts, whether at large-scale events like our star parties and monthly meetings or in more intimate settings like our member’s homes or even an after-meeting hangout. Our people love astronomy and it shows!

Regular - $40/year - Permitted to vote and eligible to hold office

Family - $60/year - No more than two adults and their dependents, residing together as a single household. Each adult member permitted to vote and eligible to hold office.

Student - $10/year Ages 18 and over with a student ID; permitted to vote and hold office.

Junior - $10/year Ages 12-17; permitted to vote but not to hold office. Members under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult when attending club functions.

Contributing - $55/year - Regular members wishing to make a voluntary donation of $15 in addition to the $40 dues. Permitted to vote and eligible to hold office.

The fastest / easiest way to become a member is to click Join DVAA then follow a few simple instructions. You'll be given an opportunity to pay for your membership with either a credit-card or check.  Alternately, you can pay our treasurer at one of our monthly General Meetings (see the Events calendar for meeting location and other details).

If you are an existing member who would like to renew, log into the site (if you haven't already done so) then click the red $ next to your name in the upper right-hand corner of the web-page and follow the few simple instructions. 

If you prefer to go the manual route, you can email your dues to our Treasurer, Scott Vanaman, 327 Laurel Drive, Collegeville, PA 19426. Be sure to make out the check to the "DVAA" and include your full contact details (including phone and email) and note your desired membership level (see above).

Memberships expire on December 31st each year. However, membership for new members joining in September, October, November, or December will expire December 31st of the following year.

The DVAA is a non-profit service organization and your membership dollars help us deliver more and better programs to both our members and the public at large.