The American Institute of Organbuilders is a professional association made up of pipe organbuilders, organ maintenance technicians, and those in allied professions supporting the pipe organ industry. The AIO’s objective is to advance the science and practice of pipe organbuilding by discussion, inquiry, research, experiment and other means, and to disseminate knowledge regarding pipe organbuilding by such means as lectures, publications and exchange of information.

New members are nominated to one of three AIO membership categories: Regular membership is open to full-time North American builders and maintenance technicians with at least five years’ experience. Associate membership is for full-time apprentices with less than five years in the profession. Affiliate membership is for those who are not full-time builders or maintenance technicians, those who are full-time students under the age of 25, (in possession of a valid school ID), as well as non-North American builders  and persons in allied professions.

All nominees are asked to obtain the nominating signature of a current Regular or Charter AIO member. Nominees for Regular (voting) membership should also ask two additional Regular or Charter AIO members to act as references. Each reference will be contacted and asked to vouch for the nominee’s work and business ethics.

Potential nominees for Regular membership who cannot find two additional AIO references may be nominated in the Associate category. All Associate members must apply for Regular membership after five years by supplying the two additional AIO references and an updated résumé. No additional joining fee is required to become a Regular member.

Annual membership dues for all AIO members are $95.00, payable in advance during the last quarter of each year. Each member receives a subscription to the Institute’s quarterly publication, Journal of American Organbuilding, and periodic mailings from the executive secretary’s office. In addition, AIO members are eligible for reduced registration fees at the Institute’s annual conventions.

A one-time joining fee of $50.00 is required of all successful nominees. A deposit of $25.00 should be mailed along with the membership nomination form. This deposit is credited toward the joining fee. Should the nominee not qualify for membership, the deposit will be returned.

Approval for membership is granted by the Institute’s board of directors after the nominee’s name has been published in the AIO Journal. Nominees wishing to qualify for the October convention registration discount should mail their form by August 1. Approved nominees become members upon payment of the remaining $25.00 portion of the joining fee and the coming year’s dues (prorated for those accepted in April).