@AmberLee, each Chapter has its own rules. With the Upstate New York Chapter that I belong to, you can still be a member if you are not currently employed for up to a year. But in your case, you've got a consulting business, so it wouldn't really apply anyway. I'm not sure about big GBTA, but for now, I'd stick with your local Chapter anyway. I find that I get more networking and support from the Chapters than from GBTA.