A) Membership: Membership shall consist of two classes: regular membership and associate membership.

1) Regular membership: Regular membership shall be limited to any public employee directly involved in the prevention, detection, elimination and prosecution of public assistance fraud, to include those under contract to perform such duties and those affiliated individuals in federal agencies.

2) Associate membership: Associate membership shall be available to individuals who, in the judgement of the Board of Directors, have an established interest in and are supportive of the purposes and goals of the Association. Associate members shall not have the right to vote.

B) Period of Membership: The period of membership shall be from May 1st through April 30th.

C) Annual Dues: The Board of Directors may determine from time to time the initial and annual dues, payable to the Association by each class.

D) Suspension or Expulsion of Membership:

1) No person who is in default of payment of dues from the date on which such dues become payable shall be a member of the Association. Upon receipt of annual dues a membership may be reinstated.

2) Any member whose conduct is detrimental to the best interest of the Association or who violates the By-laws, Rules or Regulations, may be suspended or expelled by action of the Board of Directors after the member has been afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the Board of Directors under procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.