One of the rules is that you be an AOA member in good standings at time of application. I would think that if you were a member and then dropped your membership that would put you in not good standings because you didn't renew. It may also look strange to them if you were to regain your membership just before you applied, they may want an explanation of that before approving or not approving your application for Resolution 42.
I have no experience in this, but that is the way it was viewed for another organization I was a member of. Over all, I think it would be easier to stay a member until you get the application approved and then you should be able to move on from there.
