New member benefits have been finalized for 2004. Membership in ABC provides the best way for individuals, healthcare professionals, academics, government institutions, the media, and industry to get the latest and most accurate information in the herbal medicine movement. Since ABC launched its membership program three years ago, an increasingly valuable set of benefits has been offered, and the 2004 addition should be welcomed by new and prospective members.
In response to member requests for more frequent communication and up-to-date information, ABC has launched an electronic newsletter as a key member benefit at all levels. This service, launched this winter, will provide valuable updates between issues of HerbalGram. In the future, ABC will increase the frequency of the e-newsletter. Brief updates linked to more comprehensive information on ABC’s website will provide an easy way to scan and learn. Content will include:
• The latest press releases and media updates from ABC;
• Advance information from the forthcoming issue of HerbalGram;
• Highlights and links to the latest HerbClip™ releases;
• Breaking news about herbal medicine;
• Upcoming events and ABC appearances with links to ABC’s extensive web calendar;
• Information on The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs: latest adoptions & reviews;
• Much more.
ABC staff is eager to start communicating with its members via this new service. Members are encouraged to contact ABC to make sure their current email address is on file.
New and renewing Academic, Professional, and Organizational members will receive a new booklet containing the therapeutic monograph on garlic reprinted from The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. This literature will provide comprehensive information on the history, use, safety, dosage, and clinical trials of garlic. New and renewing Professional and Organizational members will also receive a Black Cohosh Educational Module that includes free CE and CME credit for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and naturopathic physicians.
ABC has reorganized the benefit structure and added new services for Corporate and Sponsor level members. In these times of economic challenges and demand for a return on investment, the total value of these benefits can likely be greater than the actual financial support that these companies provide. These include discounts on many ABC services, such as licensing ABC’s vast electronic content of articles from HerbalGram and HerbClip for websites, safety labeling, HerbalGram advertising, and numerous other benefits.
Of course, all funding through membership enables ABC to achieve its mission. For more than 15 years, the nonprofit educational and research work of ABC has contributed to improving selfcare and healthcare through the dissemination of reliable information on the benefits of herbs and phytomedicines.
More information on ABC membership levels and a detailed list of benefit levels are available on page 3 of this issue, our website at
–Kim West