NARTS Associate Membership

For Resale, Consignment, and Thrift Store Team Members

You don't have to own a resale store to be an important part of the industry. Store managers, employees, and business partners play an essential role in the success of resale, consignment, and thrift businesses.

NARTS Associate Membership provides an opportunity for qualifying individuals to become part of a professional community where they can connect with others in the resale industry, learn from experienced professionals, and continue developing their knowledge and skills.

Associate Membership is designed for partners and regular full time employees of qualifying NARTS member businesses.

Before applying, please review the eligibility requirements below.

Who Qualifies for Associate Membership?

Under the NARTS Bylaws, Associate Membership is available to individuals who are:

• A partner in a business represented by a Primary or Secondary Member in good standing.

• A regular full time employee of a business represented by a Primary or Secondary Member in good standing.

 
This may include qualifying store managers, assistant managers, and other full time employees working in a resale, consignment, or thrift business.
 
Important: The business you represent must have a Primary or Secondary Member whose NARTS membership is in good standing.

Who Does Not Qualify?

Associate Membership is not intended for individuals who:

• Work for a business that does not have a qualifying Primary or Secondary NARTS Member in good standing.

• Work only occasionally or part time and are not a partner in the business.

• Operate an independent resale business and are seeking membership for their own business.

• Provide outside products or services to resale businesses rather than working as a qualifying partner or full time employee of a member business.

 
If you're unsure which membership category applies to you, please contact NARTS before submitting your application.

What If I Change Jobs or Leave the Business?
 
Associate Membership eligibility is connected to your relationship with a qualifying NARTS member business.

If you leave your current employer, change positions, or become a store owner, please notify NARTS so we can review your membership classification.

Depending on your new circumstances, you may qualify for a different membership category.

Can Associate Members Vote?
 
Associate Members do not have voting rights in NARTS elections or other matters submitted to the voting membership.  Under Article III, voting rights are reserved for eligible Primary and Life Members.
 
Can Associate Members Serve on the NARTS Board?

In certain circumstances, yes.
 
Article IV of the NARTS Bylaws provides a path for qualifying Associate Members to serve on the Board of Directors.
Among the requirements, an Associate Member must:
 

• Have at least four years of continuous service with the Primary Member's business.

• Have at least four consecutive years of NARTS membership in good standing.

• Submit a written recommendation from the sponsoring Primary Member acknowledging the time, financial commitments, and responsibilities of Board service.

• Meet the additional Board eligibility requirements established in Article IV.

Associate Membership alone does not automatically establish eligibility to serve on the Board.

What Do the NARTS Bylaws Say?
The following provisions come from the NARTS Association Bylaws.

Article IX, Section 2: Associate Membership
 
ASSOCIATE: Any partner or regular full-time employee of a Primary or Secondary Member in good standing in the Association shall be eligible for Associate Membership.
 
What this means: To qualify, you must be a business partner or regular full time employee connected to an existing Primary or Secondary NARTS Member whose membership is current and in good standing.

Article III, Section 1: Voting Rights
 
Additional memberships of the resale or thrift stores and individuals or entities holding Secondary, Associate, Provisional, Sustaining or Affiliate membership shall be granted non-voting status.
 
What this means: Associate Members may participate in the NARTS community, but they do not receive a separate vote in Association elections.
 
Article IX, Section 1: Membership Approval
 
Any person applying for membership to this corporation is subject to the approval of the board of directors.

What this means: All Associate Membership applications are subject to approval. NARTS may verify your relationship with the sponsoring member business before approving your application.

Membership Dues and Renewal
 

• Associate Membership dues are established by the NARTS Board of Directors.

• New members pay one full year of dues, along with any applicable application fee, when applying.

• Membership renewals are due on the first day of the month of the anniversary of joining. Membership automatically terminates when dues become 60 days overdue.

• Associate Members are also expected to follow the NARTS Code of Ethics and maintain professional business practices.

What Happens When I Apply?
 
When applying for Associate Membership, you'll be asked to provide:

• Your name and contact information.

• The name of the NARTS member business you represent.

• Your position or role within that business.

• Whether you're a business partner or regular full time employee.

• The name of the sponsoring Primary or Secondary Member.

NARTS will review your information and confirm that the sponsoring membership is in good standing before approving your application.

Ready to Join NARTS?
 
Whether you're managing daily operations, leading a team, or working alongside a store owner, there's always more to learn and valuable experience to share.  Having an Associate membership does just that. 
 
NARTS brings resale professionals together to exchange ideas, strengthen their skills, and build relationships with others who understand the industry.
 
Not sure if you qualify? Contact NARTS before applying. We'll be happy to review your circumstances and explain the available membership options.
 
By applying for Associate Membership, you acknowledge that you have reviewed the eligibility requirements, understand that your membership is connected to a qualifying NARTS member business, and agree to follow the NARTS Code of Ethics.