Group Health Insurance 
EFA offers several health insurance plans at group rates, including health maintenance organizations, point-of-service plans, long term care insurance, dental insurance, and a discount plan. Insurance costs continue to rise, even at group rates, and insurers are less and less eager to provide coverage to associations. Although we are not able to provide coverage in all areas, we strive constantly to add to the plans we do offer.
Better World Club
Better World Club is the environmentally friendly alternative to AAA, an auto club providing 24 hour nationwide roadside assistance, travel and insurance services. To be credited with the 10 percent EFA member discount, be sure to reference BWC promotion code TEFA2121. To learn more and join, visit the Better World Club website.
ZipCar
EFA members can now join and use ZipCar for only $25/year—for a savings of 66 percent. Available in an expanding number of locations across North America and the United Kingdom — including London, Vancouver, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Chapel Hill, Boston, and Minneapolis. Rent a car for a few hours or a full day, gas and insurance included. Visit the EFA Zipcar website to sign up.
Education Program
Members enjoy reduced tuition to EFA courses designed especially for freelancers to build and enhance editorial and entrepreneurial skills. Courses cover everything from basic copyediting to breaking into the corporate market to setting project rates. Courses, many of which are conducted online, are usually offered in the fall and spring of each year and are open to nonmembers as well as members.
I'm [now] awaiting my first assignment from what could turn out to be another long-term client …
Job List Subscription
For a modest fee, members only may subscribe to the Job List to receive e-mail notices of a wide variety of jobs, both freelance and full-time, in-house and at home. Clients from coast to coast use this service (free to them), and many members get most of their work from EFA's Job List.
Online Membership Directory
About six months ago, I got a call out of the blue. They're now a regular client … an absolute joy to work with! … pay promptly … and the work keeps coming …
Directory listings are free with membership but are not automatic. Members must create and maintain their entries with the information they choose to include: name, contact information, skills and specialties, brief promotional blurbs, and résumé. Potential clients use the directory to find and get in touch with members nationwide. A number of members report getting good assignments from clients who hired them after searching the directory for freelancers with the skills and expertise they were seeking. The directory is searchable by skills, location, and name.
E-Mail Discussion List
EFA's primary online forum is its members-only discussion list, where participants exchange ideas and advice with other editorial professionals all across the country. The discussion list is free to EFA members. It should not be confused with the Job List.
Publications
The EFA newsletter, The Freelancer, is published bimonthly and is available to members and nonmembers. EFA also publishes booklets on specialized topics of professional interest to freelancers.
Regional Chapters
EFA has regional chapters all over the country, and new ones form as interest arises. Meetings and other activities are listed on individual chapter pages. Chapter events are open to all members, guests of members, and freelancers interested in joining EFA. EFA also invites members to act as regional liaisons in areas without chapters. Liaisons answer questions on the organization and freelancing in their locale.
Meetings & Events
EFA offers freelancers a variety of meetings, social events, and networking opportunities. Meetings may take place at NYC headquarters, at regional chapters across the country, and by nationwide teleconference. They include expert panels, open-mike forums, special guest speakers, and joint meetings with related organizations.
On the lighter side, EFA holds receptions for new members, Scrabble night, and a much-anticipated holiday party. Less frequently, EFA sponsors national professional conferences designed specifically for its members (and open to non-members at higher fees).
Affinity Groups hold small monthly meetings, often with guest speakers, to explore interests and concerns on a more specialized level. Over the years, EFA members have formed affinity groups in such areas as medical writing and editing, business communications and public relations, el-hi textbooks, children’s publishing, desktop publishing, and new freelancers, according to their interests
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