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Re: Membership Value |
| As an independent practitioner, ICG membership is essential to help keep me up to developments in all sorts of areas (e.g. work, training, Govt. policy and schemes); since I hardly ever see another careers person, it also gives me a sense of belonging to a community. |
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Re: Membership Value |
To me ICG membership is valuable in that it raises my awareness of policy and professional practice developments elsewhere in the UK ( I work in Scotland). Difficult to keep on top of developments and ICG communications useful. I also find being part of a community of practice ( specifically the PD committee)has been of direct benefit to my work and would encourage the expansion of these.
Most importantly the Institute gives us a "voice" with politicians and other key influencers. I appreciate a lot of lobbying does go on but we should maybe up the ante on this given the changes occurring across the UK and, arguably, the continuing vulnerability of the career guidance sector. |
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| Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:30 pm |
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Re: Membership Value |
| As a researcher, membership is keeps me in touch with practitioner and manager issues. Also invaluable for networking! |
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Re: Membership Value |
my working life is characterised by
-a prime focus on "bringing home the bacon" (bidding for funding)Bidding diverts resources which could be better used to further improve services
- providing copious statistics of dubious validity as required by funders/inspectors/others - ie more resources diverted from service improvement
In this bureaucratic quasi market where discusion of professional issues is noticable by its absence the ICG is to be applauded for keeping the flame alight for guidance and its many benefits Being part of a community of practice is invaluable for me. |
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Re: Membership Value |
| I have always been a committed member of the ICG. I do believe it is really important to be a member of a professional body that represents us nationally, sets professional and ethical standards and keeps us informed of good practice. However, I am really shocked at how expensive my membership is this year - I work part-time, but am not in the low-income category, and I really have to question whether I can afford to pay the membership. Whatever happened to the sliding scale? |
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| Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:10 pm |
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Re: Re: Membership Value |
| Ciara - as Co - Chair of the Ethics and Standards Committee of the ICG, I read your post with interest : although Membership fees do not fall within our remit, I think you have hit the nail really firmly on the head. The sliding scale was a good idea (although I resisted it when it was first proposed - being a suspicious bloke by nature, I disliked the concept because I was afraid that the highest payers would get a better service - not for nothing did we used to call the Institute a Principal Officers Club when I first started in the profession. ) It is a very different body now, and I think it is right that all members pay the same - however, as with the cost of Annual Conference, I think we have to be careful that we do not price too many Members out of the Institute. I used to gripe about not being allowed to go to Conference by my Managers despite having paid my membership sub - now that I have the freedom to go to Conference, I feel that I am being priced - out by those who can afford any fee because their employers pay for it. Frankly, Ciara, I don't think there is an easy answer - but you make a valid point. |
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Re: Membership Value |
Hi Richard,
I am a new Member to ICG, but I hope it will be useful source of networking. I also hope that it will be a positive way for myself to contribute new careers coaching techniques and toolkits. By doing so build on my reputation as providing innovative career coaching toolkits to careers guidance professionals. |
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