During the last couple years, the Apra Maryland and Apra Metro DC Boards considered deeper collaboration to support the broader prospect development community in the Maryland and Metro DC areas. In late 2024, we started discussing the possibility of merging our chapters to bring better value and benefits to both our communities. Then in the first half of 2025, we co-hosted a number of learning opportunities together, including a panel and tour at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, as a pilot of what a merger could look like. The more we mulled it over, the more a formal merger made sense. In June 2025, we announced our plan to merge Apra Maryland and Apra Metro DC into a single united chapter.

As of November 2025, we are Apra DC-MD - dedicated to serving the prospect development professionals who reside in DC and Maryland or work for-impact institutions based in the region (and beyond!).

Above all, we intend to continue to support the former Apra Maryland and Apra Metro DC communities with great programming, discussions, networking, and all the other wonderful opportunities we have always provided.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any feedback, questions or concerns at [email protected], or if you want to become involved as a volunteer with the chapter!

Thank you for supporting us in this exciting new era! In the meantime, you may see some wonky changes to our website.

Sincerely,

The Apra DC-MD Board

1. Will the price of membership change?

• Annual membership pricing will be $40, which is no change for Apra Maryland members, and a slight increase for Apra Metro DC members.

2. What happens if I’m a current member of Apra Maryland or Apra Metro DC? Do I still have benefits?

• Yes! All current members will have benefits until their membership expires. For current Apra Metro DC members, that will be through December 31, 2025. For Apra Maryland members, your membership is valid for one rolling year following joining or renewal.

3. I'm a 2025 Apra Metro DC member. Do I have to pay an increase now, or when I renew?

• If you are currently a member, your membership remains valid until your expiration date. Your rate will remain the same until renewal time. When your renewal comes up, you will then pay the $40 rate.

4. Are there any changes to access to programming and benefits?

• No. No one will lose access to programming or benefits. If anything, more members will have access to more programming. The board has thoughtfully defined benefits effective 2026 for new memberships.

5. How will the board be composed? Will there be more representation of one area versus another?

• The revised chapter bylaws are designed to maintain a balance in representation of members affiliated with Maryland and the Metro DC area. The current board consists of DC-affiliated and Maryland-affiliated members.

6. How will in-person events such as the annual conference be worked out with a larger geographic reach?

• We are currently working through those logistics and will have more information in the coming months.

7. Will the merged chapter remain active in the MARC collaboration?

• Yes! Apra DC-MD will continue to participate in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter (MARC) conferences, whether virtual or in-person - which is the case for 2026! Save the date for a valuable learning experience April 16-17, 2026, in Richmond, VA. And make sure to keep your membership current or join as a new member to access the MARC chapter member discount for the conference!