Almost every visitor to the American Botanical Council’s Case Mill Homestead and herb gardens ends their tour with the same question: How can I become a member of ABC and get more involved in supporting your mission?

Until recently, the answer has only been through subscribing to HerbalGram, making a donation, or by volunteering. ABC’s by-laws established it as a non-profit educational research organization and did not permit memberships.

Recognizing the many services and benefits ABC offers, and the tremendous opportunity to engage the interest and financial support of committed individuals, businesses and organizations, ABC’s by-laws now include a membership component. These new membership options will serve the needs of its growing constituency.

“Developing an ABC membership program is a natural step toward expanding our educational activities,” says ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. “A strong membership base will improve our ability to attract corporate donations and other sources of charitable giving, as we grow closer to our supporters.”

Following the tradition of other leading scientific educational and research organizations best known for their magazines, such as National Geographic and The Smithsonian, subscriptions to HerbalGram are now a membership benefit. While this journal will continue to be available at natural food stores and bookstores, subscribers may choose from various categories of membership as they convert from subscribers to members.

Other membership benefits include discounts on publications and merchandise available through ABC’s Internet-based Herbal Education Catalog; first-notice invitations and member discounts on ethnobotanical tours and special events such as booksignings and lectures; access to a members-only area on our award-winning website; access to our research services; and free facility tours.

“To thank our loyal readers, many of whom have been with us since the first HerbalGram 17 years ago, current HerbalGram subscribers may become Charter Members of ABC,” says ABC’s Chief Administrative Officer Wayne Silverman, PhD. Charter Members will also receive special gifts. To become a Charter Member, please complete the form on page 4 of this issue of HerbalGram and fax or mail it to ABC. Watch for more exciting news about ABC’s new membership program in the next issue of HerbalGram and in the mail. —  Gloria Moore, ABC