Membership
AERA is a closed membership association. While there are various membership groups, all US Direct Hires and their EFMs may become full members of AERA by filling the membership forms and accepting the duly membership fee.
AERA full members have the ability to shop at the commissary, free usage of the Ridge Gym, as well as free usage of the Ridge Pool during the summer season.
Upon receiving your membership forms and waivers, AERA’s Bookkeeper will open a credit account on our financial system. Your monthly membership fees, commissary purchases, monthly fuel and phone (if any) charges, as well as any other orders you may have placed through AERA, will be charged to your account. AERA will send a monthly bill (usually mid-month) to your work/personal email, and you are expected to pay your bill at the Commissary either via an US check, or USD cash. You can opt to pay your account at any time before receiving a bill.
Full Member
Open to US citizens and US resident aliens (Direct Hire and EFM over 16 years old) who are employees of the US Federal Government, who are assigned to a tour of duty in Tirana, Albania.
Possession of “Duty-Free Entry” privileges shall be a requirement in determining eligibility for Full Membership.
Associate Member
US citizens and US resident aliens who are employees of contractors funded by US agencies.
Third country national direct-hire or contract personnel recruited from outside Albania and relocated to Tirana for employment by the US Government under the provisions established in 6 FAM 544(a)
US citizens whose rpesense abroad is for the purpose of implementing US federally funded programs under the jurisdiction of the Principal Officer under the provisions established in 6 FAM 542(b)
Possession of “Duty-Free Entry” privileges shall be a requirement in determining eligibility for Full Membership.
GYM membership fees are:
Pool Season membership: TBD
Teacher Member
US citizen school teachers and administrators hired from outside of the host country and employed by the International School of Tirana under the provisions established in 6 FAM 542(c). Access is not accorded to locally hired US citizen school teachers under this category.
Affiliate Member
Affiliate membership may be extended to any US citizen resident in country
Host country national employees and third country national employees recruited in country employed by an agency of the USG
Members of other diplomatic communities and international organizations
With the approval of the Board of Directors and the Principal Officer or his/her designated representative, host and third-country nationals residing in Albania
The total number of Affiliate Memberships may be determined and set by the association’s Board of Directors with approval from the Principal Officer or his/her designated representative.
Temporary Member
Citizens of the US who are employees of any agency of the United States Government, assigned to temporary duty or an official visitor to post. Temporary memberships are limited to a period not exceeding six months from the date of original issuance.
Compare Memberships
| Who is it for? | Has Voting Rights | Can Serve on the Board | Facilities (Pool, Gym) | Services | Commissary | Duty-Free | Fees | |
| Full Membership | DH, EFM | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $20 |
| Associate Member | LES, Contractor | x | x | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | x | $12-15* |
| Teacher Member | TIS Teachers | x | x | ✓ | ✓ | x | ✓ | $30/Q |
| Affiliate Member | Diplomatic Comm | x | x | limited | limited | x | x | TBD |
| Temporary Member | TDYers, Official Visitors | x | x | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | $20/m |
