THE INSTITUTE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATOR

Extracts from the Bye-Laws: Requirements for Membership

CORPORATE MEMBERS

1. Fellows

Fellows shall be those persons admitted to the grade by the Council at its absolute discretion, and who:

a. have been corporate members for at least 2 years

b. and either:

- have a comprehensive knowledge of the techniques of technical communication

- or have a special knowledge of some aspect of technical communication

C. and either

- have exercised responsibility in the field of technical communication for at least four years or

- have submitted a thesis of an acceptable standard on a subject of technical communication (as defined in clause 3b of the Memorandum of Association).

The regulations governing the submission of a theses are laid down in Bye-Law 8.

2. Members

Members shall be those persons admitted to the grade 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, two years of which must have been in a responsible position

b. or 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 comprehensive knowledge of the techniques of technical communication

NON-CORPORATE MEMBERS

1. Honorary Fellows

Honorary Fellows shall be those persons admitted to the grade by the Council at its absolute discretion; they shall be persons who, in the opinion of the Council, have rendered outstanding service in the field of technical communication or to the Institute. The number of Honorary Fellows shall not at any time exceed twenty. Recommendation by Membership Committee for notification by the Council.

2. Associate Members

Associate Members shall be those persons admitted to the grade by the Council at its absolute discretion, and who wish to be associated with the Institute to further their knowledge of technical communication.

3. Student Members

Student Members shall be those persons admitted to the grade 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 technical communication

b. or are in full-time employment in the field of technical communication and are studying by on-the-job training, or otherwise, with the intention of sitting an examination in a subject or subjects relevant to the communication of technical information

Student members must apply for transfer to the grade of Associate Member immediately after they have passed an appropriate examination or examinations in a subject relevant to technical communication. In other cases membership in this grade will be reviewed not later than five years after admission.

ADMISSIONS AND TRANSFERS

1. Referees

Every candidate for admission shall submit pertinent details of two referees of senior status who know the candidate and his or her work. Where possible, these referees should be corporate members of the Institute or a senior work colleague or client.

2. Interviews

Before the admission or transfer of a candidate to any class or grade of membership, the Council may require such a candidate to attend an interview, conducted by or on behalf of the Council for the purpose of verifying the nature of his or her qualifications and experience.

3. Prospective member

A candidate for admission to the Institute whose application has been approved shall be a prospective member until such time as he or she becomes a member in accordance with Article 21 of the Articles.