Benefits of Membership NIPA,
Northern Ireland Photographic Association
Benefits of NIPA Membership
There has to be, or should be, a good reason for joining any organisation. Listed here are some of the benefits gained through membership of the NIPA. The list is set out in two parts in an attempt to show such benefits as are available to the Member Societies and then so show the benefits that devolve to the individual members of such societies. The distinction is not clear cut as some items might be put in either, or both, lists.
Benefits of Membership to Clubs and Societies
- Permission to adopt the NIPA’s Child Protection Policy. Photographers are especially vulnerable in this regard so a well prepared policy is vital.
- The right to compete in the various competitions organised by the Association and in particular the Inter-Club Competitions which incorporate a section for beginners in the clubs. There is also the social aspect of the actual Inter-Club evenings when members meet members from societies other than their own.
- The right to have a club member appointed to the NIPA Council. All Member Clubs have an equal say in the running of the Association.
- Access to the PAGB’s Public Liability Insurance scheme. Probably the most comprehensive scheme available to clubs at rates that are amongst the lowest obtainable. Such insurance is a legal necessity in to-day’s world.
- The availability of the NIPA’s and the PAGB’s Handbooks. These books contain lists of Lecturers and Judges prepared to visit any of the Member Clubs, and set out the terms and conditions pertaining to such visits. An invaluable aid to clubs planning an interesting programme for members.
- The PAGB Recorded Lectures are also available. These are now regularly being converted to digital presentations. Each lecture is by an acknowledged expert and usually provokes useful discussion at a club meeting.
Benefits of Members of Clubs and Societies
- The opportunity to meet fellow photographers and learn from them in an easy social atmosphere.
- The opportunity to submit your work to your club’s competitions and possibly have it selected to go forward to the Inter Club Competitions.
- The opportunity to submit your work to the NIPA’s Annual Exhibition. If selected it will be seen in about four exhibition venues in Northern Ireland. For the last two years the opening venue has been the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
- The opportunity to submit work to the NIPA selectors who choose work that represents the NIPA in the PAGB’s Inter-Federation Competitions. From the entries to these competitions the PAGB’s Annual Exhibition is chosen. This Exhibition is subsequently shown in four or five major venues in the UK.
- The opportunity to attend various Lectures etc organised by the NIPA. The speakers / judges at such events and usually from outside the Federation and bringing them to Northern Ireland is probably beyond the financial resources of individual clubs.
- The opportunity to apply for the PAGB’s Photographic Honours (CPAGB, DPAGB and MPAGB). These honours are for life and involve no continuous financial commitment once obtained.
- For those interested in Audio-Visual Presentations there is the Annual Audio-Visual Festival held Annually in the excellent Ballyearl Leisure Centre Theatre, when any club member can submit an entry. Those who wish to do so can go on to submit a presentation to the PAGB to obtain their letters in AV.
The above lists are not exhaustive but should give a flavour of the NIPA world, where you will find friendly and helpful people all with a broad interest in the photographic medium together with those who have opted to specialise in some particular aspect of photography.
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