The Membership Department now no longer require Temporary Members to supply any evidence of work. Simon Chapman, job-sharing the NEC photographers’ seat with Pete Jenkins, was told by Membership that Temp members did not need to show work. When he pointed out that both the download paper form and the online joining system both required them to show evidence of work, Membership said they would change the forms. This is scandalous. And how does that square with the Rules: “ Rule 2 (d) (vi) Temporary members: A branch or the General Secretary may, with the agreement of a branch, issue a temporary membership card to a new entrant to journalism – or to a person returning to journalism – who proves he/she is seeking to establish or re-establish himself/herself as a full-time freelance journalist without any other full-time paid occupation. Such cards shall be issued annually for a maximum of three years, during which time the temporary member may apply for full membership.” How on earth can you prove that you are seeking to establish yourself as a full-time freelance journalist without any evidence of published work? The only way I can see to stop this directly is for branches to refuse to process applications unaccompanied by any evidence - the rule does specify that the agreement of a branch is required in order to issue such cards. Pete Jenkins intends to raise this at NEC.
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 07:48:40 +0000
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