ABI membership comes with some obvious, and some not-so-apparent, membership benefits. The annual dues of $225 ($95 for professors and employees of government or not-for-profit organizations) give our 11,000+ members access to substantive information that others pay thousands of dollars each year to receive.

No single publication in the bankruptcy and insolvency arena can compete with the quality of writing and analysis delivered 10 times per year in the ABI Journal. Each issue has at least one article or case summary that is put to immediate use. The ABI Law Review provides in-depth legal analysis of issues twice per year. These two publications are delivered to us and are tangible benefits.

Another tangible membership benefit is the unequaled networking opportunities available at ABI's many conferences and committee meetings each year. The friendships made at these events can provide a referral network that is both regional and national in scope.

Perhaps the largest intangible membership benefit is found when you surf the pages of ABI World (www.abiworld.org). This is both a virtual reference library and source of current information on all things involving bankruptcy and insolvency. Using the search engine (found at the top right of the page by clicking "Search"), each member has instantaneous access to ABI's publications, programs and seminar materials for the past 5+ years. Being able to jump-start a research project or find thoughtful analysis of cases and issues saves our members time and money well beyond the cost of membership.

Members get current news and information that is available to others through additional subscriptions. Under the "Online Resources" section, we have access to some of the Daily Bankruptcy Review as well as The Deal's "Bankruptcy Thursday" section without having to separately subscribe to these services. Our "Online Publications" also includes the "subscription-only" sources of West Bankruptcy Newsletter and Collier Case Update. These are among the most under-utilized features we provide with each membership.

Our "Online Resources" section also includes our Membership Directory. The print version of the Directory is more than 1,000 pages long and is sorted primarily by city. Using the search feature in the online directory, you can find members using any criteria you choose—first name, last name, firm name, profession, state, city, school attended or any other data point in the Directory. You have all of this information readily available, wherever you might find yourself, when you use the Directory CD-ROM, mailed to members with this issue.

For those who have not spent much time exploring ABI World, we've created short, online tutorials that quickly "show and tell" how to use the most important features on the site. Our tutorials include ways to use the Membership Directory, discussion groups, search engine and ABI World Research.

To serve the public in general, we have a section devoted solely to consumer issues. Our Consumer Education Center provides timely information under the topics of "Should I File for Bankruptcy?," "Frequently Asked Questions," "Resources," "Search for a Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney" and even a streaming video entitled "Taking Charge of Your Finances." For those not in a consumer practice, these provide what you will need to "triage" the consumer debtors in your life. The Consumer Education Center is kept fresh and current by its editorial board, consisting of Prof. Charles Shafer, Joan Allyn Kodish, Alane Becket and James H. Bone.

ABI World would not be the phenomenal resource that it is without the hard work of our volunteers on ABI's Web Editorial Board. They are led by Executive Editor Joseph S.U. Bodoff, Assistant Executive Editor Hon. Lee M. Jackwig and Associate Editors Mark N. Berman, Scott E. Blakeley, Joel R. Glucksman, Gary A. Norton, David Peress, Matthew Schwartz, Deborah L. Thorne and Mark P. Williams.

The number of articles, seminar program materials, committee presentations and other works available at ABI World makes it difficult to identify one person or one group that has contributed more than any other to the success of ABI World. It is truly something that has been created by our members for the benefit of our members. If you have not taken a few moments to explore all that it has to offer, you will miss one of the best benefits that your membership provides.