Members have a direct impact and involvement on our state legislature in developing and presenting agendas that address the needs of people who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes maintaining funding at current levels to support existing services, which in turns supports our employees with being able to maintain employment and benefits.  The Arc New York continues to play a vital advocacy role with the Governor and Legislators to increase funding to allow agency’s to pay a “living wage” to employees. 

Membership equals votes.  The more votes or members we have representing our agency, the more say we have on matters that affect the state organization and ultimately our agency at the state level.  Without membership, our “votes” will be fewer than city chapters that dominate the decision making authority of the board of governors. 

Members have opportunities to network with other families, service providers and organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Members may have free or reduced costs/access to trainings, seminars, workshops, events and consultations.

Members truly have a voice!  Being a strong advocate for the needs of individuals we support every day is one of the best ways we have of ensuring their needs are met!

It's easy! Just agree to be a member of our Chapter and pay the membership fee.

In order to be a Member you must:

Must be 18 and older.

Must have an interest in the welfare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Must live in the United States.

Must only be a member of one Arc Chapter.

1 Year: $2

5 Years: $8

10 Years: $15

Lifetime: $100

Membership is a tax deductible donation.

People can choose to receive mailings from ARC Life, The ARC New York (state level) and ARC of US (national level).

Membership provides awareness of programs/services in our local community.

Allows participation in determining the type/quality/range of services provided in the community.

Provides a support group for family/parents.

Our membership campaign runs from March through April but we can accept memberships through the end of July. 

March is Disabilities Awareness Month and we focus on getting as many paid memberships as we can.

Membership to our agency also means you are a member of The ARC New York (previously known as NYSARC), our parent corporation at the State level, who is also affiliated with the national ARC of United States!

Our Chapter, here in Clinton County, has the 6th largest number of members in all of New York State and had been the fourth largest for many years but many Chapters are now trying to increase their own membership totals because they realize how important membership is.

In 2018, NYSARC’s 52 Chapters, supported 60,000 people with developmental disabilities and hit an all-time high record for active members at over 109,000.