Grades of membership
The rules governing membership of this Institute are detailed in Articles
4-21.
There are various levels of membership (see Join the ISTC for fees):
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This grade recognises experience,
in a supervisory role, and education. Holders of this grade may use the
title FISTC and may have a say in the operation of the Institute.
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This grade recognises experience
and education. Holders of this grade may use the title MISTC and may have a say in the operation of the Institute.
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Those joining at this level may
enjoy the benefits of being part of the ISTC
but do not have voting rights.
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People embarking on recognised
training for careers in communication may enjoy the benefits of being part of the ISTC, at reduced fees, but do not have voting rights
until reaching the grade of Member or Fellow.
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Companies may show their support
for the profession by sponsoring the ISTC.
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If you apply to join the ISTC, or for an upgrade,
your application will be considered by the Membership Steering Group and you
will be invited to join at an appropriate level. Everybody within the ISTC
is expected to follow the Code of Conduct and brand policy.
See our Education pages for details of higher-education
courses.
Fellows (FISTCs) and Members (MISTCs) are collectively
known as Corporate Members and have voting rights on ISTC issues. Each Corporate
Member is responsible for the liability of the ISTC (if it should close) up
to a maximum of £5.00 (five pounds). See item 9 of the Memorandum of Association.
Fellows
Fellows shall be those persons admitted by the Council at its absolute
discretion, and who:
a. have been corporate members for at least two years and:
b. have held a responsible position in the field of scientific or technical
communication for at least four years and can satisfy the Council that they either:
c.
have a comprehensive knowledge of the techniques of scientific or technical
communication
or:
have a special knowledge of some aspect of scientific or technical communication.
Members
Members shall be those persons admitted by the Council at its absolute discretion
and who either:
a. possess an acceptable qualification and have had at least five
years' experience of a type acceptable to the Council, of which they must
have spent at least two years in the practice of scientific or technical communication
in a responsible position or:
b. have had at least five years' experience in the practice of technical
communication, three years of which must have been in a responsible position, and can satisfy the Council that they have a comprehensive knowledge
of the techniques of scientific or technical communication.
Honorary Fellows, Associate Members, Student Members, and Business Affiliates are collectively known as Non-corporate Members and, whilst enjoying the benefits of membership, do not have voting rights on ISTC issues.
Honorary Fellows
Honorary Fellows shall be those persons elected to the grade by the Council
at its absolute discretion and who in the opinion of the Council have rendered
outstanding service to the profession of scientific and technical communication.
The number of Honorary Fellows shall not at any time exceed twenty (20). Recommended
to Council by the Membership Committee.
Associate Members
Associate Members shall be those persons admitted by the Council at its absolute
discretion and who: wish to be associated with the Institute to further their
knowledge of scientific and technical communication.
Student Members
Students shall be those persons admitted by the Council at its absolute discretion
and who:
a. have enrolled in a formal course of further education that will eventually
enable them to undertake duties in the field of scientific and technical communication, or:
b. are in full-time employment in the field of scientific and technical communication
and are studying by on-the-job training or otherwise with the intention of
achieving a qualification in a subject or subjects relevant to scientific
and technical communication.
Student Members must apply for a transfer to the grade of Associate Member
immediately after they have passed an appropriate examination or examinations
in a subject relevant to scientific and technical communication. In other
cases membership in this grade will be reviewed not later than three years
after admission.
Business Affiliates shall be those organisations (Businesses, Companies,
and Educational Establishments) admitted by the Council at its absolute discretion
and who:
a. employ scientific and technical communicators as may from time to time
be determined by the Council and as set out in the Bye-laws of the Institute and:
b. provide education or training in the field of scientific and technical
communication as may from time to time be determined by the Council as set
out in the Bye-laws of the Institute.
See Business Affiliates for further details on the benefits enjoyed by Business Affiliates and the criteria necessary to become a Business Affiliate of the ISTC. |
