24th March 2006, 10:32 AM
At the outset, I recognise that the cost of membership of the IFA is a major issue, particularly amongst fieldwork staff. Although subscription rates are low in comparison with many other professions, I also accept that those professionals are often much better paid.
However, the fact remains that without professional representation the archaeological community will never fully establish its credibility as a profession, and without such credibility we are never likely to approach parity with other professions. Such representation ? which the IFA provides ? is costly, but essential. The maintenance and enforcement of a Code of Conduct (without which talk of standards is meaningless) demands and receives significant resources as do the Institute?s other activities (including education, training, pay and conditions, lobbying and providing membership services).
The contribution which subscriptions make to these activities is vital. The IFA?s annual income from this source (including application fees) is approximately ?200,000 (based on the projected income for the year ending 31st March, 2006 by which time we will have around 2,150 members) which, for a UK wide body with permanent staff, leaves little room for manoeuvre.
In the circumstances, the real question is how to ease the financial burden on our members without undermining progress in advancing the profession.
What can we do ?
1. Change the subscription bands -
? The approach to subscription bands was confirmed following consultation with the membership in 2003, when it was agreed to retain the method of grading subscriptions upon the basis of members? income.
? The IFA?s Council has now agreed to alter the subscription bands for the 2006/7 subscription year so that full-time archaeologists earning just the PIFA minimum in 2005/6 pay at a lower rate than before. The rates for 2006/7 can be found at the end of this document.
? Advocates of further change to the subscription bands must bear in mind that those at the upper end of the archaeological pay scale are already paying significantly more than those lower down the scale.
2. Spread the financial burden throughout the year ?
? Members can pay by direct debit (at a reduced rate) in which case 10 monthly payments are made.
3. Encourage members to obtain tax relief on their subscriptions.
4. Encourage employers to pay or contribute to the membership subscription of their employees.
5. Where possible, reduce fees by generating additional income ?
? On a small scale, this has been done with the IFA Conference Membership Offer (which effectively diverts conference revenue to subsidise an individual?s membership subscription).
? More broadly, the answer ultimately is to increase membership to such a degree that fees can be reduced generally whilst maintaining (and preferably increasing) service levels. Having said that, I appreciate that it is for the IFA to get its message across and make the case for non-members to join and I am happy to continue and contribute to that debate.
In the meantime, this is the background to the discussion as to fees. Your input is welcome and I can be contacted on tim.howard@archaeologists.net or on 0118 378 6446.
IFA Subscription Rates for 2006/7
Affiliate subscription fee: ?35.00 (by cheque) ?33.00 (by D/Debit)
Student subscription fee: ?16.50 (by cheque) ?15.00 (by D/Debit)
All corporate members (MIFA, AIFA, PIFA), according to annual income:
Earnings in previous year Payment by cheque/postal order Payment by Direct Debit
*?5,000 - ?10,000 ?38.00 ?35.00
?10,001 - ?13,500 ?63.00 ?58.00
?13,501 - ?16,000 ?95.00 ?86.00
?16,001 - ?20,000 ?130.00 ?118.00
?20,001 - ?28,000 ?169.00 ?153.00
More than ?28,000 ?202.00 ?183.00
*members earning less than ?5,000 can claim a 50% rebate on their subscription fees by sending proof of earnings to the IFA office along with this remittance advice.
Tim Howard (Recruitment and Marketing Coordinator)
Another day another WSI?
However, the fact remains that without professional representation the archaeological community will never fully establish its credibility as a profession, and without such credibility we are never likely to approach parity with other professions. Such representation ? which the IFA provides ? is costly, but essential. The maintenance and enforcement of a Code of Conduct (without which talk of standards is meaningless) demands and receives significant resources as do the Institute?s other activities (including education, training, pay and conditions, lobbying and providing membership services).
The contribution which subscriptions make to these activities is vital. The IFA?s annual income from this source (including application fees) is approximately ?200,000 (based on the projected income for the year ending 31st March, 2006 by which time we will have around 2,150 members) which, for a UK wide body with permanent staff, leaves little room for manoeuvre.
In the circumstances, the real question is how to ease the financial burden on our members without undermining progress in advancing the profession.
What can we do ?
1. Change the subscription bands -
? The approach to subscription bands was confirmed following consultation with the membership in 2003, when it was agreed to retain the method of grading subscriptions upon the basis of members? income.
? The IFA?s Council has now agreed to alter the subscription bands for the 2006/7 subscription year so that full-time archaeologists earning just the PIFA minimum in 2005/6 pay at a lower rate than before. The rates for 2006/7 can be found at the end of this document.
? Advocates of further change to the subscription bands must bear in mind that those at the upper end of the archaeological pay scale are already paying significantly more than those lower down the scale.
2. Spread the financial burden throughout the year ?
? Members can pay by direct debit (at a reduced rate) in which case 10 monthly payments are made.
3. Encourage members to obtain tax relief on their subscriptions.
4. Encourage employers to pay or contribute to the membership subscription of their employees.
5. Where possible, reduce fees by generating additional income ?
? On a small scale, this has been done with the IFA Conference Membership Offer (which effectively diverts conference revenue to subsidise an individual?s membership subscription).
? More broadly, the answer ultimately is to increase membership to such a degree that fees can be reduced generally whilst maintaining (and preferably increasing) service levels. Having said that, I appreciate that it is for the IFA to get its message across and make the case for non-members to join and I am happy to continue and contribute to that debate.
In the meantime, this is the background to the discussion as to fees. Your input is welcome and I can be contacted on tim.howard@archaeologists.net or on 0118 378 6446.
IFA Subscription Rates for 2006/7
Affiliate subscription fee: ?35.00 (by cheque) ?33.00 (by D/Debit)
Student subscription fee: ?16.50 (by cheque) ?15.00 (by D/Debit)
All corporate members (MIFA, AIFA, PIFA), according to annual income:
Earnings in previous year Payment by cheque/postal order Payment by Direct Debit
*?5,000 - ?10,000 ?38.00 ?35.00
?10,001 - ?13,500 ?63.00 ?58.00
?13,501 - ?16,000 ?95.00 ?86.00
?16,001 - ?20,000 ?130.00 ?118.00
?20,001 - ?28,000 ?169.00 ?153.00
More than ?28,000 ?202.00 ?183.00
*members earning less than ?5,000 can claim a 50% rebate on their subscription fees by sending proof of earnings to the IFA office along with this remittance advice.
Tim Howard (Recruitment and Marketing Coordinator)
Another day another WSI?