It became clear from the IIMS membership survey carried out earlier this year that many members were unsure of the full range of benefits of membership and in some cases indicated they had no idea at all what was on offer. Apart from the kudos of being a member of the leading worldwide professional body for marine surveyors, here are some of the many benefits members are entitled to take advantage of and access.
• RECOGNITION
As a Full, Technician or Associate Member a member is entitled to use the appropriate designatory letters after their name to show their professional commitment and membership of the Institute.
• USE OF INSTITUTE LOGO
Certain grades of IIMS membership are entitled to use the Institute’s logo for marketing purposes, subject to adherence to the rules.
• MEMBERSHIP TRAVEL SCHEME
IIMS partners with Norad Travel Group to run its Membership Travel Service scheme. The scheme offers a range of exclusive benefits for IIMS members only.
• NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
From time to time, members are invited to attend seminars and forums, which will increase their knowledge in specific areas of marine surveying. It will give the opportunity to network with other members from different parts of the world as IIMS is a truly international organisation.
• MEMBERSHIP IDENTITY CARD
IIMS members receive a membership card once their subscription is paid. It is renewed each year. The card carries the necessary details about each member and can be used to help gain access to marinas, ports, harbours and other marine establishments, or simply to prove identity.
• ONLINE TRAINING SEMINARS
Members are invited to participate in a series of increasingly popular online training seminars delivered at different time points throughout the year by video conferencing covering a variety of marine surveying topics by industry experts. These seminars are charged at a modest sum. Delegates receive a recording of the seminar for future reference and supporting presentation after the event.
• WEBSITE MEMBER LOGIN AREA
All members are given access to a password protected members’ only area on this website. Here they can manage their account. Head Office can also post messages to their personal inboxes.
• IIMS WEBSITE
Access to the IIMS website at www.iims.org.uk, the most comprehensive marine surveying website in the world. It is a mine of information with over 1,500 relevant news stories and features to search and read. Fresh news content is published most days.
• MEMBERSHIP NEWS BULLETIN
Distributed electronically each month in pdf format, the news bulletin aims to keep members up to date with head office news, as well as what’s happening internationally around the IIMS family and forthcoming events.
• MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE
Members receive access to an electronic copy, readable as a pdf or in e-reader format of the Institute’s quarterly magazine The Report. Each issue is full of topical articles and special features, case studies and membership news, much of it unique and commissioned only for the Institute. Members and non-members are invited to submit articles for the magazine. Printed copies of the magazine are available at a postage only cost by contacting Head Office.
• SURVEYOR SEARCH
All active surveying members are granted entry into the searchable online directory of surveyors. Members often say how valuable this listing is as a source of business; so if you are a member, please make sure the contact information published about you is accurate and current.
• GEOGRAPHIC MAP SEARCH
All active surveying members are plotted on a map with a unique pin so that they can easily be found by location.
• PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
IIMS members are entitled to a discount of 10% off the published cost of studying one of the two award-winning IIMS Professional Qualifications and Diplomas in Marine Surveying.
• EVENTS & CONFERENCES
The Institute organises a range of events around the world both via Head Office and at a local branch level too. Additionally, conferences, seminars, the AGM and Institute Dinner are held annually in the UK.
• LARGE YACHT & SMALL CRAFT WORKING GROUP TRAINING WORKSHOPS
There are regular large yacht and small craft working group gatherings, featuring technical seminars and facility visits held at various locations each year around the UK and Europe to which members are invited. A modest charge applies to attend these one or two-day training events.
• CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT APP
All professional bodies expect their members to be responsible for maintaining their continuing professional development (CPD). Based on the requirement to acquire 10 points per calendar year, IIMS has made this very easy to do through the use of a specially developed App. The App is free for members to download and use – available in Android and IoS formats; there is a web-based version too.
• NOTIFICATION OF SAFETY BRIEFINGS
Dozens of safety briefings following incidents and accidents have been collated, categorised and published on this website and members are notified when new content is added. Easy access to a large range of full reports is available.
• COPYRIGHT FREE PHOTO BANK
Members have free access to hundreds of copyright free images that can be used in marketing material, websites and anywhere else, all available via a password protected page on this website.
• WEB DESIGN SERVICE
Steve Welsh of Lahive Creative Design, a specialist website WordPress developer (who was heavily involved in creating the IIMS website) is able to offer IIMS members web design services at a specially negotiated and substantially discounted rate.
• EASY ACCESS TO IIMS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
IIMS is very active on social media and maintains LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts, all of which are updated regularly. Check out the IIMS Twitter feed @IIMSmarine. Join the IIMS LinkedIn group and keep abreast of the exchange of views and ideas from surveyors around the world.
• ACCESS TO ORIGINAL VIDEO CONTENT
Members are notified when new video content is added to the IIMS YouTube channel called Marine Surveying IIMS and are free to watch the content at their leisure. There are over 130 videos featuring original content made by the Institute to watch.
There is a wealth of surveying knowledge, information and advice available at your fingertips. Dip in, get involved and take advantage of the membership benefits. If you are reading this and are not a member, but are interested to know more about joining IIMS, please contact Camella Robertson (details below).
Contact Camella Robertson by email, Membership Secretary, or by telephone on +44 23 9238 5223 for more details on any of the membership benefits or about joining the Institute.
