9th
ICS appears to turn away members as they quietly suspend a membership category
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), with a world-wide membership of around 3,500 has taken the surprise step of suspending the Affiliate Membership category, pending a review of all membership types.
According to the ICS’s application form for Affiliate membership, qualification for the category was stated as being based on candidates demonstrating that they had passed an ICS one day course; had passed one or more examinations from the ICS syllabus; had passed any recognised maritime related course (such as Background to Shipping); or had over 20 hours of study as part of a related degree programme.
We became aware of, and raised questions with the ICS on this matter following feedback from a prospective affiliate member who recently had their application rejected. The affiliate membership form was still available on the ICS website on March 4, but has been removed since we asked about this category suspension. It appears that the decision was made somewhat on the quiet and that not even everyone in the office was fully aware…
We believe that the affiliate category was a valuable addition to the membership base as it attracted a significant group of people for whom full membership may not be appropriate or even desired, but did provide a useful stepping stone for those who favour the ‘climbing the ladder’ approach, building up to full membership over time and collecting recognition along the way.
We would suggest that this method can be shown to build trust and loyalty to the ICS and was previously seen as a valuable way of engaging with students before they qualified as Members.
The category of Affiliate is valid under the ICS Bye-Laws (which exist by Royal Charter) and is defined as “a person who is an Affiliate by virtue of Bye Law 13 or may be registered as such pursuant to these Bye Laws”
Bye Law 13 states:
“REGISTERED STUDENTS & AFFILIATES
Candidates wishing to take the Institute’s qualifying examinations must register as a student and pay such registration fees as may apply. Applicants for registration as a student shall comply with such educational and employment qualifications as the Controlling Council may prescribe.
A Registered Student who has completed his qualifying examinations but is not eligible for admission to Membership pending completion of practical tests may on application to the Membership Committee be granted Affiliate status for a period not exceeding five years or until he is eligible, whichever is sooner.
A registered student may take such other examinations or practical tests as the Education & Training Committee shall determine from time to time and on completion of such non-qualifying examinations may be granted Affiliate status for so long as he continues to pay the annual affiliates subscription. “
It seems clear to us that the affiliate category is NOT the same as being a member (see also Bye Law 3), but that it does allow for the candidate and the ICS to engage with each other in a constructive and purposeful manner.
We can’t help but wonder if one of the issues at stake here relates to members benefits, as affiliates may have had access to the same benefits as full members (with the exception of actually describing themselves, legitimately, as members)? Perhaps the fact that the ICS has embraced some technology and now offers their quarterly magazine to anyone (member or not) online rather than in printed copy, has ruffled some feathers? (Missed the last copy? Here it is) Or is there some other tussle over what membership means at play?
To be absolutely clear, we are fully supportive of a review of membership categories and the benefits of belonging to each, but we have concerns that a committee room decision, arrived at without consultation, to suspend an integral part of the potential membership process is short sighted. We have offered to provide the views, feedback and experience of students who like online study and also value the affiliate membership category and hope that they will be taken into consideration in the review process.
For those of you taking Background to Shipping, you will still get your ICS endorsed certificate and we will continue to try and get this category, or something equivalent, re-instated.
