FAQs

After completing the online membership application, you can select to pay directly by credit card. Or, you can request to receive an invoice from GALA and then pay by check, credit card or wire transfer. Membership dues must be received within 60 days of application. New members are entitled to all member benefits once dues have been received.

Your membership is valid for 12 months from the date your application is activated. After you submit the membership form, you will receive a response from GALA within 2-3 business days. Official member status is confirmed after we receive your dues payment.

Not at all. GALA's core mission is international in nature. With members from over 40 countries on six continents, we are bound by our commitment to be international, inclusive, open and transparent. GALA welcomes new member companies from all countries.

There are two differences: eligibility and voting privileges. Full membership is designed for supplier companies (GALA’s currently defined membership base), while affiliate membership is designed for end-user (buy side) companies and other organizations that do not provide localization-related services as their primary business.  

Affiliate membership is a non-voting level of membership, and members of this level are not eligible to run for or serve on the GALA Board of Directors. The cost of membership is the same for both levels of membership (US$750 for first-year members; US$1000 for renewals). Except for voting and board eligibility, the benefits of the memberships are also the same.

No. GALA membership is open only to companies, organizations and institutions. However, if an individual is employed full-time by an organization that is a GALA member, then they have access to all the benefits of membership as an employee of a member company.

GALA does not have a membership level designed for individuals; however, freelance translators are welcome and encouraged to participate in GALA activities, from networking events to conferences to contributing to GALA publications.

The association is run by a volunteer board of directors elected to two-year terms by the membership. The GALA staff is led by managing director, Laura Brandon, who is based in Seattle, USA.  See the full GALA staff here.

Annual membership dues are US$1000 ($750 for first-year members). We make every effort to keep these dues as low as possible. The membership receives a complete accounting of GALA income and expenses on at least an annual basis.