The following is an except from the Bylaws of the Society for Software Quality:

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERS

SECTION 1. DETERMINATION AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

There shall be three (3) classes of membership in the SSQ:

(a) REGULAR members shall be persons active in or contributing to the arts, sciences, and technology of quality software.
(b) STUDENT members shall be persons pursuing a degree in the computer related field.
(c) INTERNATIONAL members shall be those persons who meet all the requirements of Regular members and who reside outside of the United States of America. This class shall be treated as a Regular member of the SSQ.

No member shall hold more than one membership in the SSQ. Except as expressly provided in or authorized by the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the SSQ, all memberships shall have the same rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.

SECTION 2. QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS

Any person who is active in or contributing to the arts, sciences, and technology of quality software or is pursuing a degree in a computer related field is qualified to become a member of this corporation.

SECTION 3. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

Applicants shall be admitted to membership on making application therefor in writing and payment of the first annual dues, as specified in the following sections of this Bylaw.

SECTION 4. FEES, DUES, AND ASSESSMENTS

(a) No fee shall be charged for making application for membership in the SSQ.
(b) The annual dues payable to the SSQ by members shall be in such amount as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
(c) The annual dues shall be equal for each class of member, but the Board of Directors may set different annual dues for each class of member.
(d) Memberships shall be nonassessable.

Notes about SSQ and Chapter membership:

1. Membership in the SSQ does not imply membership in any of its chapters. Membership in any chapter does imply (require) membership in the SSQ.

2. Regular membership in a chapter is open only to Regular Members of the SSQ.

3. Only Regular Members of the Chapter may vote.

4. Only Regular Members of the Chapter may hold elective offices. Other members may hold appointed offices.