With more and more people completing our snake awareness and snake handling courses and more recently our online courses, and after several requests, we have decided to start a herpetological association that will convene regular meetings and produce a newsletter.
Our first meeting will be within the next month or two, depending on COVID19 rules and regulations and we are seeking a suitable venue between Pretoria and Johannesburg. In addition to catering for reptile keepers, we will also be focusing on African reptiles and amphibians in general and have lined up some excellent speakers.
The ASI Herpetological Association has already been approved to assist GDARD with permit applications for indigenous reptiles in Gauteng, and other conservation bodies throughout South Africa will be approached for similar approval.
As many of our course delegates and online course participants are not in Gauteng, we have made provision for corresponding members. Such members will receive the ASI Herp Bulletin free of charge. All Herp Bulletins will be posted on the African Snakebite Institute website (www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com) and will be available to non-members one month after publication.
Full membership of the ASI Herpetological Association costs R 180.00 per year, family membership (two adults and two children under 18 years) R 300.00 per year, student memberships are R 120.00 and scholar membership R 100.00 per year and junior membership (under 12) is free, as is corresponding membership.
The first ASI Herp Bulletin has just been published and is available to all as a free download from our website (https://bit.ly/3ibv2C9). Future bulletins will be available free to all members, but non-members will only have access to the bulletin one month after publication.
We welcome comments as well as contributions to the next bulletin.
Join the ASI Herpetological Association
Normal Membership
Normal membership of the ASI Herpetological Association is open to any person who is 18 years of age or older and who supports the aims and objectives of the ASI Herpetological Association and is open to all persons worldwide. Such a member shall pay the full amount of membership fees as determined by the Executive Committee by the due date. The membership fee does include the cost of a membership card. Members are considered Normal members from the 1st January following their 18th birthday.
Family Membership
Couples/Family membership of the ASI Herpetological Association is available for Couples/Families, consisting of no more than two adult members & their children, providing that the children are under the age of 18 years.
Student Membership
Student Membership of ASI Herpetological Association is open to any person over the age of 18, who is in possession of a valid Student’s Card. Copy of Student Card to accompany Application form.
Scholar Membership
Scholar Membership of the ASI Herpetological Association is open to any person over the age of 12, but under the age of 18 years, who is a recognised scholar (proof may be required), and understands the policies, aims and objectives of the ASI Herpetological Association. Such a member shall pay the full amount of membership fees as determined by the Executive Committee by the due date. Scholar members will be allowed all privileges of the ASI Herpetological Association except that they shall not hold office and shall not have voting rights and must obtain parental consent to become members of, and where appropriate, to participate in activities of, the ASI Herpetological Association. This is a membership for individuals, who do not fall under Family Memberships.
Junior Membership
Junior Membership of the ASI Herpetological Association is open to any person under the age of 12, who understands the policies, aims and objectives of the ASI Herpetological Association. Such a person may become a Junior Member free of charge. Junior members will be allowed all privileges of the ASI Herpetological Association except that they shall not hold office and shall not have voting rights and must obtain parental consent to become members of, and where appropriate, to participate in activities of, the ASI Herpetological Association. This is a membership for individuals, who do not fall under Family Memberships.
Corresponding Membership
Corresponding Membership of the ASI Herpetological Association is for members who are not in Gauteng, and cannot attend meetings. Such membership will be free, but subjected to the rules and regulations of the ASI Herpetological Association. Corresponding Members will have no voting rights.
