There is no per year membership, its a once of lifetime fee and is paid normally before your first course. The support groups are then usually free or you chip in for room hire. People who have been part of the programme for a while (thus have gained experience and skills to help others) can become coaches, which means they undergo rigorous training before doing so. Coaches do not get paid and it's not a hierarchy, coaches are still members who elect to help mentor and coach others on the programme. Those who have been on the programme an even more significant of time can eventually become instructors, again with even more comprehensive training. They also do not get paid. The McGuire Programme runs far from a business model, as realistically it's almost not for profit, with the once of lifetime membership fees and minor grad fees per course going back into running the courses, support groups, getting materials, booking venues, organising events and many other expenses. Yes you are encouraged to be active in the programme (e.g attend further courses, support groups and ultimately become a coach or instructor) - this has nothing to do with money (as there is no gain from above), but to help you get control of your speech and become someone who does not get held back by their stutter. Thus the point of lifetime programme - the McGuire Programme is not a quick fix. In Australia, We have people still active in the programme who have been around for 25+ years