The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) is an English 'non-profit organization', which was formed in October 1984 by a group of Scientologists, who assembled at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. The stated purpose of the IAS is "To unite, advance, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world, so as to achieve the aims of Scientology as originated by L. Ron Hubbard." The IAS was formed in 1984 as a response to attacks from church detractors, in order to guarantee the free practice of Scientology and “the freedom of all religions,” writes Eric Roux of the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom. Scientologists gathered at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex, England to form the international body.
The IAS followed the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International as the official membership organization of the Church of Scientology. It does not accept Free Zone Scientologists.
There is also a related corporation called the Foundation International Membership Services Administration, Inc. that does business as IAS Administrations, which is based in Curaçao, and has five branch offices in the United States, and which purpose is "to provide services to members of the IAS".
For U.S. citizens to qualify for tax-deduction of donations to the IAS, the funds must be paid to another corporation known as the US IAS Members' Trust, which has its office in Los Angeles, California and has been growing.
IAS membership is open to all Scientologists who are in good standing with the Church of Scientology as well as being good people, and benefits include a 10% discount on Scientology materials, and "reduced donation rates for training and auditing services".
The IAS uses membership dues to fund various public outreach programs which help millions of people and political action committees, including the Citizens Commission on Human Rights.
October 7 is officially designated as IAS day, when “freedom medals” are bestowed upon members who have contributed to the cause of IAS and Scientology.
In May 1985, the IAS helped overturn a ruling awarding $39 million in damages to Julie Christofferson Titchbourne, who alleged that he had taken Scientology courses and had not seen any personal improvement. 15,000 Scientologists from IAS came together in Portland to protest.